Vernon (Municipality, Eure, France)

Last modified: 2003-05-31 by ivan sache
Keywords: eure | vernon | fleurs-de-lys: 3 (yellow) | watercress |
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by Arnaud Leroy

• Presentation of the municipality
• Description of the flag

See also:

• France
• Eure (Department, France)

Presentation of the municipality

Vernon is a city of 25,000 inhabitants, located on the river Seine.

Vernon was built in the IXth century by Rollon, the first Duke of Normandy. Since the city was located near the border between Normandy and (Ile-de-)France and commanded the river Seine, it was a fortified city. The name of Vernon appeared for the first time in 1049. In 1196, Vernon was incorporated into the Kingdom of France by the treaty of Goulet, eight years before the complete incorporation of Normandy. King of France Philippe-Auguste (1180-1223) fortified the castle, from which only the Archives Tower has been preserved. The city was built on the left bank of the Seine but the bridge, built in the XIIth century, was protected on the right bank by the Tournelles Castle and fortified water mills.

The castle of Bizy is located 4 km west of Vernon. It was built in 1740 by Coutant d'Ivry for Marshal of Belle-Isle, grand-son of Surintendant Fouquet, Louis XIV's rival and victim. The castle later belonged to Duke de Penthièvre, King Louis-Philippe (who restored the park of the castle) and Baron de Schickler. It is now the property of Duke d'Albuféra, descendant of Empire Marshal Suchet, and Marchioness de Grammont. The castle is opened to visit.

An even more famous place, located 2 km south-east of Verno