We passed by it so many times over the years and even stop on the N175 highway to our road warrior trails from my beautiful Morbihan to my dear former Versailles, but never into City center until now ! I am glad stop by and have new pictures for my blog of a new town in my world map, The town of Villedieu les Poêeles is located in the Manche dépt 50 in the region of Normandie of my belle France, Therefore, let me tell you on the Church Notre Dame of Villedieu les Poêles !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Church Notre-Dame dating from the 13C, 15C, and 17C, was built of granite. In the Flamboyant style, the façade has a tripartite division comprising the central nave and two side aisles to the north and south. Each section has its own entrance: a monumental portal in the center and two side doors with classical round arches. A beautiful traditional tower rises at the crossing of the transept. It has four stories. The third story is pierced by three Flamboyant Gothic trefoil windows with mullions. Only the central window is partially open with its louvers. The upper story of the tower is set back. It is covered by a dome surmounted by a double lantern. A cross and a rooster crown the whole. The square tower, dating from the late 15C with a later addition, has three pointed arch windows on each of its four sides, the two side windows being blind, all surmounted by finials and featuring a cruciform mullion.
The Nave was completely rebuilt between 1636 and 1638. Round columns, set on octagonal bases, punctuate the bays. Furnishings at the crossing of the transept include a magnificent pulpit dated 1683, whose back panel depicts the Ascension of Jesus. Two caryatids support the sounding board, surmounted by flaming urns. Note the boat-shaped finial. The six panels of the pulpit are illustrated with: the Assumption of Mary, Saint Gregory the Great (Pope), Saint Augustine and his flaming heart, the Samaritan woman and Jesus at the well, Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and Saint Jerome, translator of the Bible.
The Choir is four bays long, three of which open directly onto the side aisles. The last bay and the apse form the eastern end of the building. The entire structure has been vaulted with ribbed vaults since the 17C. A magnificent wooden roof frame, with painted decoration, is preserved above this vault. The high altar, shaped like a chest, features an altar frontal depicting the “Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament” in the form of a painted canvas from the second half of the 17C. The two angels on the outer panels carry baskets of roses, the other two are striking incense, and the two in the center are adoring the Blessed Sacrament displayed in a monstrance. The tabernacle, made of gilded wood in 1729, has a door adorned with a monstrance, a censer, the palm of martyrdom, foliage, and a missal. It is decorated with numerous plants tied with a ribbon. The sanctuary lamp.
The lectern and its gilded eagle. A plaster statue of John the Baptist, with his scepter. It replaces a statue of Saint John the Baptist that was intended to be placed at the top of the altarpiece. Bishop Eloi, plaster cast, with his anvil and hammer
The Church Notre Dame houses works of art, notably statues. Several of these statues come from the former churches of Saint-Pierre-du-Tronchet and Sainte-Trinité in Saultchevreuil-du-Tronchet. Among these objects are: the Education of Mary (1944), Saint Venice (1954), the Virgin and Child from Saint-Pierre-du-Tronchet (1956), the pulpit and tabernacle (1958), Céneric from Saultchevreuil (1959), choir stalls and other statues (1966). The two-part organ case in the gallery, surmounted by musical angels and urns, is signed by the carpenter Jean-François Le Héricé. Dating from 1830, The oldest parts of the church, the chancel and transept, date from 1466-1490 The organ was built in 1831. It consists of a classical two-part case
A bit of history tell us that the church of Villedieu-les-Poêles was under the patronage of the Hospitaller Brothers of Saint John of Jerusalem. Construction of the church, dedicated to Our Lady, began in the 13C. It was rebuilt after the Hundred Years’ War at the end of the 15C. On August 17, 1562, it was pillaged by several Protestant gentlemen. In 1590, the Protestants seized Villedieu, but the Catholics managed to force them to take refuge in the church, where they were massacred. A fire in 1632 destroyed the church; only the chancel was spared. Reconstruction began in the 17C, and the facade was rebuilt in the 18C. In the 19C, significant work was undertaken, particularly on the side aisles. Saint John Eudes and Saint Louis-Marie Grignion-de-Montfort, missionaries, left a lasting impression during their time there. The former organized a large mission in the autumn of 1659, and the latter stopped there on the Feast of the Assumption in 1714 to celebrate Mass.
The Villedieu les Poêles tourist office on the Church Notre Dame : https://en.villedieutourisme.com/get-inspired/must-see/
The Friends of the organ of the Church Notre Dame (hear see music video) : https://www.orguevlp.fr/l-orgue-de-notre-dame/
The town of Villedieu les Poêles-Rouffigny on its history/heritage : https://www.villedieu-les-poeles.fr/ma-mairie/commune-nouvelle-villedieu-les-poeles-rouffigny/
There you go folks, now I feel better given credit to this nice Norman town on the road between my beautiful Morbihan and my dear former Versailles. A wonderful stop for all, we are glad to get to know it now. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Church Notre Dame of Villedieu les Poêles !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 