St. Samson Church, Ouistreham

The church of Saint-Samson is a Catholic church located in Ouistreham in Calvados, at the mouth of the Orne. Its position at the top of the town allowed to watch the estuary during the times of troubles. Its imposing character and the richness of its decoration are due to the links with the Ladies' Abbey of Caen and to the prosperity of the village during the Anglo-Norman period, i.e. from the end of the 11th century to the beginning of the 13th century. Despite numerous restorations at all times, the 12th century nave has kept its Romanesque character, while the bell tower and choir built at the beginning of the following century are in transitional Gothic style.