Small city we call home

As noted previously, we first lived in Orléans once coming to France, but shortly afterwards moved to the city of Évreux. Évreux is 26.45 sq km (10.21 sq mi) in the region of Normandy. It sits about 96.8 km just north west of Paris.

During the middle ages, Évreux was home to the Gallic tribe Aulerci and served as a small regional center of the Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis. Évreux also once housed eight legions of Julius Caesar during his third campaigning of the battle of Gual. The first known members of the the counts of Évreux are actually descended from an illegitimate son of Richard I, duke of Normandy. During the middle ages, Évreux was also one of the centers of Jewish learning. 

One of its most famous buildings is of course the Évreux Cathedral first built in 1076, but destroyed in 1119 when the town of Évreux was burned to the ground on the order of Henry I of France. But, I guess he felt guilty and commissioned its rebuild, which took place between 1194 and 1198, to appease the Pope in an act of atonement and is as it stands today. Today, it seats the Bishop of Évreux and is considered one of the largest and finest cathedrals in France.

At the center of the town, known as Place Charles Du Gualle square, is Hôtel de ville which serves as the city hall. In front of the building, you can visit a monumental fountain commission by Adelaide Janin-Huet (wife of Academician Jules Janin and daughter of NF Huet President of the Civil Court). Designed by articect Charles Genuys and sculptor Lois-Émile Décorchemont, it was built in 1882 as a gift to both her father and husband. It is a representation of the Eure River and its two tributaries the Iton and Rouloir.

Across the street, you can view the Bell Tower of Évreux built between 1490 and 1497, which survived the Norman bombing 1940 while most of the city was burned down. The tower stands at a height of 144 ft and houses a bell that was cast in 1406.

Walking along the Iton River, you can visit several shops, bistros, and restaurants, or you can lounge in any of the garden areas open to the public. Many people like to buy snacks and picnic with the ducks and birds along the river side.

While it may not be large and flashy, Évreux certainly has its charms.