Come and discover the hidden treasures of the Notre-Dame de l'Epine Basilica in Évron! An architectural jewel of the Middle Ages, it combines Gothic and Romanesque styles, which gives it all its charm.
The Legend of the Thorn
It is said that a pilgrim returning from Jerusalem brought back a precious relic. Tired from the journey, he fell asleep at the foot of a hawthorn tree after hanging his bag containing the precious object there. The tree then grew during his sleep, so much so that the pilgrim was unable to reach it when he woke up. To help the pilgrim, Saint Hadouin, who was passing by, began to pray, promising to build a monastery there, and the hawthorn bent.
How to visit the Basilica?
The Basilica is open to the public free of charge every day. Guided tours and educational workshops are regularly scheduled to allow you to learn more about the Basilica. These activities are organized by the Heritage Department of the City of Evron, which also manages the bookings.
Are you a group (more than 10 people)? Contact the Tourist Office to arrange a private tour!
A little history …
While legend may explain the origins of the Benedictine monastery, it was in the 10th century that the monks of Evron decided to build a large Romanesque church. In the 12th century, a nobleman returning from Santiago de Compostela had an Arab-Byzantine style chapel erected next to the abbey church. In the 13th century, the monks of Evron wished to replace their Romanesque church with a Gothic one. They were unable to complete the work and left behind a church that is part Romanesque, part Gothic , a true panorama of medieval religious architecture. The convent buildings, destroyed in the 18th century, were replaced by a Neoclassical building.
near the Basilica
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