The chapter house features rare Romanesque sculpted capitals depicting both religious and secular figures, including small characters representing the months of the year.
The abbey was founded by Raoul de Tancarville, the chamberlain of William the Conqueror's son, Henry I of England.
The gardens are organized into four distinct thematic sections: the cloister garden, the kitchen garden, the orchard, and the medicinal herb garden.
Archaeological excavations revealed remains of a Roman temple and a 7th-century Merovingian church beneath the current floor level.
Following the French Revolution, the monastic buildings were sold off and converted into private residences, which inadvertently helped preserve their structure until modern restoration efforts.
Saint Georges de Boscherville Abbey is a prominent Romanesque architectural landmark located in the Seine Valley. Founded in 1113 on the site of a former pagan sanctuary and subsequent Merovingian monastery, the site preserves a significant 12th-century abbey church. The complex features terraced gardens restored to reflect 17th-century horticultural designs, including vegetable plots, orchards, and medicinal herb beds. The church retains original Norman Romanesque stone carvings, particularly within the nave and the chapter house. The chapter house is noted for its intricate sculptures and columns, which remain largely intact since the Middle Ages. Visitors can explore the preserved monastic buildings and walk through the expansive garden terraces overlooking the Seine valley. The site is actively managed for historical preservation and public access.
The upper terrace of the gardens looking back toward the abbey church with the Seine valley in the background.
Prioritize the chapter house, as it contains the most significant Romanesque stone carvings on the property.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to navigate the steep terraced garden paths.
Visit the garden's upper terrace for the best panoramic views of the surrounding Seine loop.
Do not attempt to touch the stone carvings in the chapter house, as the materials are fragile and protected.
The site is typically closed on Tuesdays during the off-season; it is fully open daily during the primary summer months.
Maintain a quiet tone within the abbey church; respectful clothing covering shoulders and knees is recommended.
