Interior view

This monastery church of relatively modest proportions was erected some time after 1015. It was completed by 1051. It is the oldest of a whole group of Norman churches with the same concept of interior design. To the vaulted east parts were added wide, unvaulted naves and aisles with three-storey elevations and flat ceilings. There are only small openings in the dark roof structure complementing the piers and arches below. Next to each window is a blind recess. Above this is the clerestory and a flat ceiling, which was soon replaced by a wooden barrel vault.

The photo shows the nave wall.

View the ground plan of Notre-Dame, Bernay.