Saint Hilary

On the banks of the Huisne, at the entrance to the town, the Church of Saint-Hilaire seems to have watched over the town for over a thousand years. Founded in the 10th and 11th centuries, it is the oldest and largest of the four churches in Nogent-le-Rotrou.

Over the centuries, the building has undergone numerous phases of construction, reconstruction and extension, harmoniously blending Romanesque, Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles. Whilst the original Romanesque church has disappeared, its 13th-century polygonal chancel remains a remarkable feature. In the 16th century, the seven windows of the chancel were opened up, whilst the majestic seven-bay nave in the Flamboyant Gothic style was erected. Towards the end of the century, an imposing Renaissance bell tower, surrounded by an ornate gallery, was built on a medieval base.

The 19th century brought further changes with the installation of a plaster vault in the nave and, above all, the fitting of fourteen stained-glass windows created by the Lorin workshop in Chartres. This exceptional collection, designed under the direction of Nicolas Lorin, is distinguished by the richness of its iconography, the brilliance of its colours and the finesse of its design.

Closed for more than 17 years following the floods of 1995, the church was restored to life in 2010 thanks to the efforts of the association ‘Les Amis de l’église Saint-Hilaire’. Today, it remains a vibrant place of worship and a major testament to the architectural and artistic heritage of the Perche region.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)