The church in Neufchâtel-en-Bray, just 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Rouen, had to be rebuilt after World War II. It had been devastated by German bombardments in 1940. Actually, 80% of the old town was destroyed. The Neufchâtel area, known as le pays de Bray, has been a war zone for ages. It's located at the northern limit of what was the Dukedom of Normandy, on the border with Picardy as well as with the French kingdom. The region was often embroiled in conflicts between greater powers nearby. It fared badly during the 100 Years' War with the English in the 14th and 15th centuries too.
I just read on one web page that the sepulcher in my photos above and below dates back to the 15th century and was transferred here from the Cistercian abbey at nearby Beaubec-la-Rosière.
The church suffered major damage in the late 1400s and some of it had to be rebuilt and restored in the 1500s and 1600s.
Still, parts of the church date back to the 1100s. It's probable that that the local cows' milk cheese, called Neufchâtel nowadays, was already being produced as far back as 1500 years ago. I remember eating a lot of it, as well asa lot of Camembert, when I lived in Rouen in 1972-73. (That was only a thousand years ago!)
So, I was right about yesterday‘s post being about Neufchâtel-en-Bray.
ReplyDeleteThese beautiful stained-glass windows might have been disassembled for safe keeping and to save them from destruction.
Yes, you were right about Neufchâtel. As for the stained glass, I read on some web page that it was all (or mostly) 19th century.
DeleteYour posts lately are really making me miss France. I love the close ups of those two figures.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn, I really like them too. I wish we could get out and travel around again.
DeleteYou've got a treasure trove of interesting images from so many areas of France, Ken :)
ReplyDeleteI do love France, and digital cameras too.
DeleteJudy, do you know the singer called Patachou?
DeleteFor example Patachou singing Mon Homme.
DeleteC’est Mistinguett la créatrice de Mon Homme.
DeleteCréée par Mistinguett en 1920. Il y a plus de cent ans!
DeleteThat was slightly before my time. I didn't start learning French until about 60 years ago! Even Patachou was before my time, but I remember hearing her songs and seeing her on television in the early 1970s.
DeleteInteresting about the stained glass being 19th century - I don't seem to be able to distinguish the Gothic or Romanesque versions from the 1800s re-dos. I should probably look for Neufchatel in stores - the states are getting better about stocking real cheeses these days.
ReplyDeleteThe most identifiable Neufchâtel cheeses are the heart-shaped ones.
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