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DISCOVER VERNON AND GIVERNY
What to see and to visit
Almost 20 pages here for
ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT...
... Giverny
... Vernon
Vernon today and yesterday:
an unexpected look at the town
Hither and thither: a (surprising) chronicle of the town and its neighbourhood
From V-2 rockets to Ariane :
60 years of space research in Vernon
From quarries to monuments: the stone from Vernon
Vernon, the Ardèche region and the 1870 Franco-Prussian war.
Royal adultery in the 14th c. :
Marguerite de Bourgogne in Vernon
1194 - 1954 : the bridges over the Seine in Vernon
Operation Neptune, August 1944:
The British cross the Seine at Vernon
Vernons all over the world
Farm and local Norman products
OTHER INFORMATION
Contact our site and the Tourist Office
Discover the surroundings & Normandy (links)
VIRTUAL VISIT OF THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH
VERNON's HALF-TIMBERED HOUSES
Created May 2005

 

 

 

 

The section "Another way of looking at ... Vernon and Giverny" evokes unusual, little-known or simply unexpected sides, historical events or sights related with the town and surrounding places. (The pages more specifically devoted to tourism and visits can be found in the "Discover Vernon and Giverny " section.) Here you will find the history of our region, either official history or its side-lights through anecdotes or more elaborate papers.

 

Vernon today and yesterday.
An unexpected way of looking at Vernon

 

VERNON, ancient in years but also lively and pleasant, possesses all the facilities that modern life requires.
Vernon, a city with contrasting aspects where remains of the past and futuristic achievements mingle together.

Well then, do we feel nostalgic of the past or proud of having successfully adjusted to high technology ?
Both feelings can harmoniously coexist in the hearts of the locals who have enthusiastically adopted the motto: "Feet deep in history! … Head high in the stars!" as some postcards proudly say.


Vernon in the 19th century


Seen from hills on the right bank, the town in 1845 still seemed steeped in the Middle Ages . Notice the medieval bridge and its mills, and the numerous islands cluttering up the river in those years.

 

1(Click on the pictures to enlarge)


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Early 20th century.

A sleepy little town with hardly 8,000 inhabitants

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Almost the same picture as the previous one but a century later.
Inaugurated in January 1954, Clemenceau Bridge took the place of the 7-arch stone bridge that had been destroyed by bombs during World War II.
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The Old Mill

Five water mills used to operate on the old medieval bridge, some scanty remains of which can still be seen. Situated in a green setting, the only surviving mill still attracts painters and tourists both seduced by its charm and looking for the Vernon of yesterday

The same mill painted by Claude Monet

4b
Not clickable

Avenue des Capucins
(Mendicant Friars Avenue)

Photo taken from the hills of the right bank. One of the most beautiful avenues in France with its 560 lime trees along a total length of 1,2 km. It leads to the Chateau de Bizy. Its name derives from a Mendicant Friar monastery that existed until the Revolution. Only the chapel remains, included within the former Fieschi Barracks.

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Paris Square

Between Mendès-France Avenue and Cours du Marché aux Chevaux ( Horse market Place), the square is adorned with a fountain, named Chérence fountain (after the generous donor), which used to stand in the middle of Market Square.

 

Albuféra street

Opened in 1860 in line with Clemenceau Bridge, Albuféra street is one of the main thoroughfares. It was called after the 2nd Duke of Albuféra who was Mayor from 1854 to 1870.

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8 Our Lady Collegiate church and 'Ye Olde Time House' (on the left) which now houses the Tourist Office. The photo was taken from the balcony of the Town Hall towards 1910.

The entrance gate of Banque de France

The local branch of the French National Bank is housed in the former mansion of Monsieur de Tilly, Marquis of Blaru who had it built in the 18th century. The local branch opened to the public in 1923 but has just closed down.

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Former Festival Hall

Built in the 1930s and demolished in 2003, the Festival Hall has made room for "Europe Gardens". This is where most of the town's festive and cultural events took place for 70 years.


 

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Former Court House

Built and demolished at the same time as the Festival Hall, the Magistrates' court has now moved to Rue Bourbon Penthièvre.


Le Palais de la Nouveauté (The House of Fashion)

In Barette Square, the north wall of this old construction, once a shop but now a municipal building, still displays this unusual early 20th century advertisement.

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Bank of Mantes

At Nr 19 Avenue Gambetta, the owner of this garage has kept the carved pillars and the ornamental front of a former branch of the bank of Mantes. Quite a small branch for a small local bank!


Vernon yesterday and today

Next to the remains of a history-laden past, the Ariane rocket symbolises the industrial expansion of the city.


 

 

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"Feet deep in history! … Head high in the stars!"

A nice formula that wonderfully reflects the mood of the town.

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Former joiners and carpenters' shop in rue Saint Lazare

Several generations of joiners worked in this building, which has retained some of its 1850 distinctive look.




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Philippe Auguste Cultural Centre

Built on the site of the former royal castle, Philippe Auguste Cultural Centre houses the town's cultural facilities and shows. Here, the main entrance.

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Both the materials that are used, glass and concrete and the design of its architecture make this building decidedly modern.



Space research in Vernon... This is not a joke

The engines of the Ariane rocket are designed and built here in this plant located in the forest above Vernon. The 'Vinci' engines that will propel the next generation of Ariane launchers are being tested on the Vernon test stands. Space research has been part of the life of the city for 60 years.

 

 

 

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An aerial photo of Vernon where one can recognise what remains from the past, the Collegiate church, the Old Mill, 'Ye Olde Time' house together with the evidence of modern age, such as the 1955 Clemenceau Bridge and the city centre that was rebuilt in the 1950's.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits
1, 2, 8: Private collection
3, 5 to 7, 9 to 13, 16: http://randonnee.vernon.free.fr/ Many thanks to this Webmaster for allowing us to use the photos.
4, 17, 18, 20 :Association Les partenaires de l'Office de Tourisme: Vernon et environs
4b: New Orleans Museum
14 15 : Alain Anckner (http://photojames.chez.tiscali.fr/) Many thanks to this Webmaster for allowing us to use the photos.
19 : S.E.P. photo