City of Vernon
Places of Interest

En Francais : A voir a Vernon

To discover Vernon, here are some trails to follow :

Monuments and museums
Art Galleries
Walks

Vernon old mill - Photo Arlette Cauderlier

COLLEGIATE CHURCH NOTRE-DAME

Place Barette-Vernon

The collegiate church Notre Dame dates back to the roman period (end of XIth Century) but its construction continued from the Gothic period to end in the XVIIth Century.

The church was dedicated in 1072 "to the Holy Mother of God."

In 1658 the pavement was raised about two feet to keep it out of reach of the swelling of the river Seine. Two engravings on the wall of the church commemorate these floods.

The west façade of the church boasts a rose window in high gothic style. Enormous pipe organs and ambulatory with ribbed vaults. Statue of Saint Adjutor, patron saint of Vernon.

Stained-glass

HOUSE OF PAST TIMES (Maison du temps jadis)

It is one of the oldest houses in Vernon. This corbelled construction dates back to XVth century. It has beautiful half-timbered façades and a carved corner post on the theme of the Annunciation. It was once an inn, but now houses the Tourist Information Office.

THE CITY HALL

It was built at the end of the 19th century on a newly created square. The city hall is facing the collegiate church. The builder take care to raise the bell tower higher than the church, because of the rivalry between religious and civil power at this time...

On the back, a fine stain glass by Decorchemont featuring Saint-Louis receiving the wtercress bunches. The town's coat of arm has its origin in this story.

A.G. POULAIN MUSEUM

12 rue du Pont 27200 Vernon. Free on Wednesdays (except bank holidays) from 1st November to 31st March 2 pm - 5:30 pm and from 1st April to 31st October 11 am - 1pm and 2 pm - 6 pm.

See museum page

THE ARCHIVES TOWER

The tower is a remain of the ancient Vernon castle. The tower was its donjon. It dates back to Philippe Auguste (12th century). Much later, it was used to keep the city archives. No visit.

THE OLD MILL

A symbol of Vernon, the old mill still lies straddling two piers of the ancient bridge over the Seine. It can be easily seen from the Clemenceau bridge or from the Park of the Tourelles Castle.
No visit.
It is a private property belonging to an unknown American heir. The town of Vernon had the mill renewed a few years ago.

See mill's page

THE TOURELLES CASTLE

 The Tourelles castle was built during the middle age by Philippe Auguste. It was a bridgehead meant to defend the town of Vernon which lied at the border of the crown lands and the Duchy of Normandy.This stronghold consists of four towers, of which one had been partly demolished by a bomb during World War II and is being restored.

BIZY CASTLE

A "little Versailles" with a magnificent park. Guided visits all year round.

See castle page

VERNON'S OLD STREETS

In spite of the bombardment of 1940-44 which seriously damaged the center of the town, Vernon has maintained a few streets which seem to come directly from the Middle Ages. Half timbered houses with ancient doors and carved beams, shop signs in wrought iron, cobbled paths are of exceptional character and are a frequent sight throughout tis charming town. 

The following streets merit your attention : rue Bourbon-Penthievre, rue Malauliere, rue Saint-Sauveur, rue du Chapitre, rue Carnot (where stands the house of the historian A.G. Poulain, richly carved by himself), rue du Pont, rue de la Boucherie, rue Potard and the hotel des Fleurs decorated with carved heads (see photo), rue du Grevarin...

BANKS OF RIVER SEINE

In Vernon an esplanade has been layed out on the banks of the River Seine. Summer swimming-pool, picnic area, playground for children.

WALKING AND HIKING

Three pathes starting from Tourelles Castle make a loop for a walk of two, two and a half or three hours. Called "circuit des trois collines" (loop of the three hills) and marked out in yellow, black or blue. One may take on the complete route or shorten the tour by following one of the numerousdetours which lead back to Vernon directly.
There is a pink path of about 20 kms and the Catenay loop (23 km) passes through the wooden hills and the plateau or the banks of the Seine. Last but not least a red path of 30 km cascades along the heights of the left bank. Maps and explanations are available at the Tourist Information Office of Vernon.

Moreover a GR (chemin de Grande Randonnee, path for longer hikes) follows the right bank of the Seine. An old railroad reconverted into a pedestrian path enables to walk from Vernon to Giverny off the road. (about 5 km).
Many walks, hikes and bike tours are possible in the region.