. The church of Salnte-Crolx at Bernay (Eure) was begun In 1374. The choir was completed without aisles by the end of the 14th century, as were four arcades, the north crossing, the north aisle of the nave, and the principal entrance. The nave, built during the first part of the 15th century, features intersecting, ribbed vaulting. Sainte-Croix contains the tombstone of Guillaume d’Auvillars, abbot of Bec (1418), and large statues (15th c.) of the Apostles and Evangelists. These stand against the pillars of the nave and choir. The aisles and radiating chapels were constructed in the 19th century.
A Benedictine abbey was founded at Bernay in the beginning of the 11th century by Judith de Bretagne, wife of Richard II, duke of Normandy. Constructed in stone, the abbey church included a nave, seven bays with aisles,
Bernay (Eure), plan of abbey church.
After Musset.
A transept, a choir of two bays that culminated in an apse in cul-de-four (vaulting formed by a semicupola). The choir is flanked by two aisles with apsidioles. Fragments from Gallo-Roman constructions were used for the foundation. Despite modifications and attempts at destruction and reconstruction, this abbey church of Bernay is one of the most interesting monuments of Romanesque architecture in Normandy.
E. Kay Harris
Poree, A. Notice in Congres archeologique (Caen) (1908).
--. “Nouvelles observations sur l’eglise abbatiale de Bernay.” Bulletin monumental (1911).
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