Les Andelys

Les Andelys is a commune in the northern French department of Eure, in Normandy.

Geography

It lies on the Seine, about northeast of Évreux.
The commune is divided into two parts, Grand-Andely and Petit-Andely.

History

Grand Andely, founded, according to tradition, in the 6th century, has a church parts of which are of fine late Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The works of art in the interior include stained glass of the latter period. Other interesting buildings are the hôtel du Grand Cerf dating from the first half of the 16th century, and the chapel of Sainte-Clotilde, close by a spring which, owing to its supposed healing powers, is the object of a pilgrimage. Grand Andely has a statue of Nicolas Poussin, a native of the place. Petit Andely sprang up at the foot of the eminence on which stands the Château Gaillard, now in ruins, but formerly one of the strongest fortresses in France. It was built by Richard I of England at the end of the 12th century to protect the Norman frontier, was captured by the French in 1204 and passed finally into their possession in 1449. The church of St Sauveur at Petit Andely also dates from the end of the 12th century.

Sights

Château Gaillard, a medieval castle, is located in Les Andelys.
13th-17th century Church of Our Lady, Grand-Andely
13th century Church of Saint-Sauveur, Petit-Andely
Sainte Clotilde Miraculous Spring
The Seine Banks
The half-timbered houses of Petit Andely

Notable people

Les Andelys was the birthplace of:

Adrianus Turnebus, classical scholar.
Nicolas Poussin, painter.
Jean-Pierre Blanchard, balloonist, first man to cross the English Channel by air
Charles Joshua Chaplin, painter
Henry Torrès, trial lawyer, politician, and writer
Sir John Woodroffe, lawyer and writer on Indian philosophy and Tantra, lived there from 1920 until his death.