Today, the city of Lisieux (Sub-Prefecture of Calvados, around 24000 habitants) is known all over the world thanks to Saint Thérèse, the greatest saint of modern times.
Yet before this major event in the town’s history, over 2000 years had passed since the foundation of the oppidum of Le Castellier, a Gaul camp standing outside of Lisieux on the site which is now the commune of Saint Désir.
At that time, the territory of Lisieux was occupied by the Lexovii tribe, which is the origin of the name for the towns’ inhabitants that we still use today, lexoviens and lexoviennes.
Later on, the town grew thanks to its many rivers, in particular the Touques and the Orbiquet. In Roman times, the town was named “Noviomagus”, meaning “new market”, which proves that from that time onwards, the Lisieux we know today was already a major trading centre. As well as the collections displayed at the Art and History Museum, two relics have been saved from that period: the Gallo-Roman road which can be seen in the Media Library, and the thermal baths located in front of the hospital.
Several important events then changed the course of the town’s history.
For many centuries (from the 6th century until the Revolution), the town was administered by powerful Bishops, who became bishop-counts in the 12th century, and enjoyed many civil and religious powers. This period, in spite of all the vagaries of history, enabled the town to grow, and many buildings that can be seen today are linked to this long period: the Cathedral of Saint Pierre, the Bishops’ Palace Garden, located behind the Episcopal Palace, the Hôtel du Haut Doyenné (which now houses the Conservatoire) and the canonical houses (Rue Banaston) are all reminders of this prestigious past.
Later, in the 19th century, Lisieux experienced fast industrial growth, again thanks to its rivers. That period in particular saw the development of an important textile industry, which mainly processed linen, wool and cotton. Many red brick industrial buildings remain from that time, as well as beautiful masters’ houses, mainly located in the northern part of the town, along Boulevard Herbert Fournet and Boulevard Duchene Fournet, named after important industrialists of the period.
Finally, up until the Second World War, Lisieux was known as the “Timber Frame Capital”. Although most of the buildings were destroyed during the bombings (about 80% of the town was destroyed), fortunately some buildings were saved and can still be admired today.
On Rue Henri Chéron (near the town hall), Rue du Docteur Degrenne or Rue Pasteur, you can see just how exceptional this heritage is.
With the turn of the 20th century, Lisieux turned a new leaf in its history thanks to the greatest saint of modern times, Saint Thérèse, who made the place internationally famous. The construction of the basilica dedicated to her, which finished after the Second World War, was a major event for this town, which currently receives between 700 000 and 800 000 visitors per year.
We hope that you will enjoy discovering this town full of history that’s just waiting to reveal its secrets to you!
Enjoy your trip and have a wonderful stay in Lisieux, at the Heart of Pays d’Auge and Normandy...
