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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.
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Vernon Today and Yesterday
An unexpected way of looking at Vernon
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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
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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.
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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.
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Photo : Private collection
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Photo : Private collection
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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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Photo : private colection
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Photo : Association Les partenaires de l'Office de Tourisme: Vernon et environs
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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
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The
same mill painted by Claude Monet
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Photo : New Orleans Museum
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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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Photo : private colection
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Photo : private colection
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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.
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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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Photo : private colection
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 Photo : Private collection
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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.
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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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Photo : private colection
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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.
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Photos : private colection
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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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Photo : private colection
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Photo : private colection
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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!
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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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Photos : Alain Anckner
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Photo : private colection
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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.
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Photo : Association Les partenaires de l'Office de Tourisme: Vernon et environs
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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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Photo : S.E.P.
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Photo : Association Les partenaires de l'Office de Tourisme: Vernon et environs
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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.
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