Priory of Saint Arnoul sur Touque

Listed as Historic Monuments in 1970, the buildings of the former parish church and adjoining priory chapel, both built in the 11th century, stand on a hillside on the left bank of the Touques, and are dedicated to Saint-Arnoult. What is commonly referred to as "the chapel of Saint-Arnoult" actually consists of two buildings, the priory chapel and the parish church. The two buildings had very distinct functions and vocations.

The priory chapel, founded in 1061, depended on the monastery of Longpont-sur-Orge (91), where priors were appointed and sent throughout France. The priory was distinct in that it was not a Norman foundation, but a Cluniac Benedictine with a titular Prior. It was the first Cluniac foundation established in Normandy. Cluniac Benedictine monks remained on site until the 13th century. Architecturally, it is reminiscent of the Romanesque architecture of Mont-Saint-Michel, with two levels, a crypt (lower oratory) and the chapel (upper oratory).

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