Legend has it, that the workers who were digging the foundations for the Abbey Of Sainte Clotilde complained they had nothing to drink. The Queen prayed for water to be turned into wine, the Fountain of Sainte Clotilde flowed with wine. Apparently, this “miracle” has never happened again. I can understand that as I have tried many, many times over the years and it’s never happened for me.
Les Andelys lies in a tight bend of the Seine River. The valley has been shaped by the river forming white cliffs.
Beneath the imposing Chateau Gaillard are the villages of Le Grand Andely and Le Petit Andely. These two grew and merged into one – Les Andelys. Le Petit Andely was a fishing village on the Seine. Le Grand Andely is further inland.
When the Chateau Gaillard was being built, a village was born on the banks of the Seine – Le Petit Andely. In 1202 a Church was built for the 3,000 workers who were there for the building of the Chateau. This is the St Savior Church of Petit Andelys.
13th Century figure of Christ blessing the Church entrance
St. Savior Church of Petit-Andely has the shape of the Greek Cross on the outside. It has a wooden porch that was added in the 15th Century. In the porch is a13th century figure of Christ blessing the Church entrance.
The Wooden Porch
Inside, is a stunning example of gothic architecture.
The stunning Ceilings with the stained glass windows
One of the finest organs in France
Le Grand Andely was a Roman City. There we visited the The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame: In the 12th Century was when building commenced on the foundations of the ancient abbey of Sainte Clotilde.
The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame
The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame
The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame – its impressive interior
The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame – Stunning architecture and stained glass windows
Stunning stain glass windows
The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame
We then had some time to wander around this beautiful village on the Seine. We did some window shopping. I found a shop with some stunning hand bags, made in France. I kick myself now that I didn’t buy any. Actually, didn’t buy a thing. Could it be that this holiday was nearly over? Tomorrow we would be back in Paris and then within 2 days we would head back to Australia.
The courtyard of the Restaurant Les Saveurs du Liban – yes they are petrol bowers
A magnificent painting of the Chateau on a wall in the town
Timber homes
The river banks of the Seine
The walk back to the ship was via a beautiful grassy bank alongside the River Seine. Sigh – I could imagine myself sitting on the grass with some cheese and wine. Don’t you?
Remember the Island in the previous post. I have learnt a little bit more about it since I wrote that post. Its called Île du Château Les Andelys or the Castle Island. It was connected to La Petite Andelys via a medieval bridge.
The island with the small Chateau
What a beautiful day it was. Have you ever been to Les Andelys? Our tour director told us a few things about Les Andelys. There is a bridge on the way to Chateau Gaillard and she said that if you make a wish on the bridge it will come true. We passed a Baseball Field on the way also. She said these fields are rare in France. Whether these things are true or not she was one of the best tour guides we had the whole trip. An American who married a Frenchman and of course has lived now in France for over 30 years.
Tonight on board the ship will be our Farewell dinner and then tomorrow Paris.
Travel and Lifestyle with Bree 
I need to come here often just to travel with you vicariously. Thank you for the beautiful pictures. Love those cathedrals.
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Thank you so much for your lovely words…
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It’s a beautiful place – I haven’t been to France for ages and posts like this one remind me what I’m missing!
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thank you for stopping by. France is a beautiful country
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Beautiful pictures. I hope I could visit that place someday
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Thank you x I hope you can one day too
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Oh, I just love French towns with a chateau. Add in the white cliffs and the wine miracle and it makes it to the must-visit list!
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haha thats for sure.. for me the wine lol
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I have never explored that part of France, it’s so close there really is no excuse! I will put time in trying the water into wine trick in the mean time.
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Oh do so if you can, if your really close xx and if you find the water into wine trick let me know x
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I’d like to turn water into wine, too. I like the story at the beginning of the post. Nice photos. The stained glass windows are very nice.
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What a beautiful town! France is just full of these gems, I need to get back there. P.S that’s my kind of miracle…😂
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hahah Yes France is full of beautiful little villages that you could just move in and enjoy the lifestyle. Me too awesome miracle xx
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I hope you had a wonderful evening.
Thank you for sharing this, it’s fascinating to read more about the history and you have great photos.
But… I don’t think much digging would have been done on bellies full of wine 😉
The interior gothic design is beautiful and incredibly impressive, but I particularly like the exterior of the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame.
The image of the Timber Homes reminds me of Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare homes!
xx
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hahaha..perhaps they were dehydrated …and thought it was wine? lol Yes same re the timber homes. We had an amazing evening…thank you x
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Such a gorgeous place on the banks of the Seine River. Great captures, felt like I was there too. Xx
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It certainly is beautiful. Have you been there?
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No would love to go though! 😉
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Great post 😀
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thank you and thanks for stopping by
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I’ve tried turning water into wine too
What a lovely visit
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