Municipality of nearly 9000 inhabitants, in Seine-Maritime, in Normandy, Petit-Couronne takes place about ten kilometers from Rouen and its very touristy medieval center. Member of the Rouen Normandy Metropolis, it is located not far from Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, Le Grand-Quevilly and Mont-Saint-Aignan.
Populated since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the monolith discovered on site in the course of the 19th century, the commune of Petit-Couronne was born in the 12th century when it separated from Grand-Couronne. Marked by the various Viking incursions, the territory experienced an important period of prosperity in the 15th century thanks to its agricultural and commercial activities.
Today, the Norman city still has a stable economy thanks to its proximity to some of the largest cities in Normandy and presents its visitors with an important architectural and cultural heritage, highlighting in particular one of its most illustrious inhabitants, Pierre Corneille.
Built at the end of the 17th century, the Saint-Aubin church is one of the oldest buildings in the city of Petit-Couronne. Built on an older building, it now reveals to its visitors an original nave and choir, as well as a sacristy from the mid-19th century. Quite modest in appearance, the building nonetheless has a large number of statues, paintings or other furniture classified as Historical Monuments, like a statue of Saint Barbe which might have been offered by Barbe Corneille, the grandmother of the famous playwright. After having undergone a major restoration campaign in the 20th century, it was brought to light in the early 2000s in order to highlight its exteriors.
Strolling through the heart of the city, you will be able to discover an exceptional architectural originality, the famous chalets of Petit-Couronne. Five in number, its Anglo-Norman-style dwellings were built at the very beginning of the 20th century before welcoming, in particular after the Second World War, the senior executives of the Société des Hauts-Fourneaux.
Of the four castles which once occupied the territory of Petit-Couronne, today only that of the Tourelles, built in the mid-19th century by Léopold Naguet de Saint-Vulfran, former mayor of the town, remains. Of Gothic inspiration, it was the subject of a major rehabilitation campaign by the town hall and now houses a youth area.
Norman manor with typical architecture, the Maison des Champs now houses a museum dedicated to the famous author of Le Cid, Pierre Corneille. Former family home of the playwright, it is classified as a Historic Monument and presents unique collections on the work and life of the Norman author.
While strolling in the national forest of Rouvray, you will be able to discover the State Stone, a prehistoric monolith which still stands proudly on the territory of the municipality.
