ST. PETER'S CHURCH

The parish church of Montfort, dedicated to Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul, was built in the 11th century by the lords who owned the medieval castle. It was then given to the abbey of Bec-Hellouin by Robert I, Lord of Montfort, in the year 1097 (part of the chevet dates from that time). From the remodelling of the 13th century, there remains the belfry tower attached to the choir to the south. Its square plan, its powerful buttresses and its flint facing mixed with cut stones recall the style of Norman dungeons. The church has preserved its pretty Romanesque semicircular arches on all three levels, with even projecting heads on the pilasters of the belfry windows. The nave and choir were partially rebuilt in the mid-18th century.

The astonishing wooden statue of Our Lady of Montfort (14th century) declares a popular legend according to which Hughes, Lord of Montfort, left for the Holy Land leaving his wife Alice at home. On his return, suspecting his wife of having cheated on him, he ordered her to be thrown into the Risle, with a stone around her neck. The lady took heaven as a witness of her innocence and begged Our Lady to perform a miracle. What was done: the Lady, the stone and the chain swam on the river...

Finally, on the façade, you will notice a sundial (this one is a reproduction, the original from the 19th century is protected in the belfry tower). If you are brave, a 230-step staircase leads you to the medieval castle!