Évreux, the Middle Ages rediscovered

The medieval city studied and imagined in the 19th century

What if Évreux were to rediscover, for the duration of an exhibition, the face of its almost vanished medieval city? Between the Middle Ages and the 19th century, it offers a chance to rediscover the great medieval monuments that shaped the urban landscape, thanks to material remains, surveys and scientific writings, as well as the artistic representations that we preserve. More broadly, it highlights the enthusiasm for this period, revived in the 19th century by artists, scholars, and collectors.

Organized around three themes, the first part honors the civil and religious buildings constructed in Évreux from the ducal period. Between past and present, visitors can interactively immerse themselves in the heart of the medieval city. The collection of English alabasters in the museum reflects the artistic and commercial exchanges between England and Normandy in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The journey continues with the rediscovery of the Middle Ages in the 19th century. Fascinated by this era, the art world rediscovers as much as it reinterprets it. Collectors, exemplified by Abbé Jouen (1795-1885), a major donor to the museum, gathered both authentic pieces and imitations of masterpieces from the past.

Finally, the last section showcases scholars' perspectives on the medieval past. Through their writings and research, historians have contributed to tracing the history of Évreux, its monuments, and its key figures.

An unprecedented catalog accompanies the exhibition. Numerous innovative mediation proposals, aimed at all audiences, punctuate the journey. A section is particularly dedicated to constructing the image of the Middle Ages in collective imagination, through tales, legends, and the figure of the knight.