Caen, Normandie France
[Roman Catholic]
Saint-Nicolas, also known as Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs, was the parish church of Bourg-l'Abbé. It was founded in the 11th century and completed by 1083; the facade was delayed until the end of the century. Two towers were planned, but only one was added in the 15th century. The church has three brotherhoods: one of charity, the Blessed Sacrament, and the virtuous daughters of the Virgin. Following 1793 it was no longer used for worship and served as a stable for the army's cavalry and later as a remount depot. A floor was built to divide the choir and north transept into two levels. This austere Norman church has been secularized and isince 1913 has been a protected and classified historic monument.