A former Gallo-Roman town, episcopal city and capital of Eure, the commune of Évreux, on the banks of the Iton, is dominated by the towers of its Gothic cathedral and 15th-century belfry, and boasts an important architectural and artistic heritage.
A flagship monument of the city, the imposing and majestic Cathedral of Our Lady, the biggest sanctuary in the department of Eure, is a gem of religious architecture with its radiant and Flamboyant Gothic style. Examples of this include the lantern tower from 1465, crowned by an elegant spire known as the "silver bell tower", and the superb north door, a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic designed in the 16th century by Jehan Cossart. Inside, lovers of sacred art can admire magnificent stained glass windows - no fewer than 70 - ranging from the 13th to the 16th century, as well as the thirteen radiant chapels adorned with splendid Renaissance enclosures made of carved wood.
Adjoining the Gothic cloister, the late 15th-century former bishop's palace is now home to the Évreux Museum, with its remarkable archaeological, medieval, Renaissance and modern collections! A bronze statue of Jupiter Stator, dating from the 1st century, religious art objects, Aubusson tapestries, paintings from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and decorative arts are among the attractions to admire in the museum's various rooms.
Another place of interest to discover is the Church of St. Taurinus, the remains of a Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th century, the centrepiece of which is the shrine of St. Taurinus (the first Bishop of Évreux), made of gilded silver adorned with enamels and produced in the 13th century. A real masterpiece of the silversmith's art!
Finally, take the time to stroll along the charming walkways along the Iton - an ideal way to enjoy beautiful views of the cathedral, the old episcopal palace and the clock tower! Stop by the Place du Général de Gaulle to see the neoclassical façade of the city hall and the monumental fountain by the artist Émile Décorchemont, or take a relaxing break in the pleasant François Mitterrand Park by the old Capucins' convent.
