Evreux

Evreux is a commune in the department of Eure, of which it is the capital, in Upper Normandy. In 2011, it counted about 53,700 inhabitants. This is where I went to college just before moving to the US from 1994 to 1996. The cathedral Notre Dame, has been the seat of the bishops of Evreux since its traditional founder, Saint Taurin of Evreux, most probably working between 375 and 425; Bishop Maurusius was present at the Council of Orleans in 511. The earliest parts of the present building, which is mostly Gothic, date from the eleventh century. The west facade and its two towers are mostly from the late Renaissance; the octagonal central tower dates from the late fifteenth century. Of especial note are the Lady chapel and its stained glass, the rose windows in the transepts and the carved wooden screens of the side chapels.

The church of the former abbey of St-Taurin is in part Romanesque. It has a choir of the 14th century and other portions of later date, and contains the thirteenth century shrine of Saint Taurin.