Orval - Sainte-Hélène

Already within the 7th century a convent, following the Rule of Saint Colomban, existed here upto the Viking raids. New monastic life flourished, when benefactor Renaud d'Orval donated land to the Abbay Sainte-Trinité in Lessay - and a priory was founded here in the 11th century.

The parish church "Sainte-Hélène", erected end of the 11th century, was the priory´s church. The builders may have used the crypt of the preceding church, that got ruined by the Vikings. It is pretty large and was used for keeping the holy relics and as a burial place von the monks.