Farin and some other authors have said that this had been an ancient
temple of _Adonis_; nothing however proves, or justifies such an
assertion; and we only see in this, a popular tradition on which we
must not rely.
Formerly this little church was very curious in some of its portions. It
is the only one in Rouen, which offers the three semi-circular
_absides_, which we find in most of the monuments of the XIth century.
The middle is the highest and projects farther out than the other two.
There is a row of curious figures on the outside of the edifice in its
whole circumference: some of which are represented with great
moustaches. According to Mr Cotman, who has remarked figures of a
similar description in different parts of Normandy, these great
moustaches must at first have been a satire upon the Saxons who wore
them, when at the same time the Normans had their heads completely
shaved. Robert Wace tells us that at the battle of Hastings the English
took the Normans for an army of priests.
In the interior of the edifice, the triple choir was separated from the
nave by a semi-circular arcade, the capital of which was covered with
sculptures, which have been unfortunately destroyed. This nave was
modern, and dated only from the commencement of the XVIIth century, the
most ancient portion is from the commencement of the XIth century.
The modern portion was destroyed some years since. A new church in the
form of an ancient basilica has been erected close to it, from the
designs of Mr Du Boullay. Antiquaries will learn with pleasure that the
administration of the town has taken measures to preserve the three
_absides_ of the ancient little edifice, with the intention of using it
as a sacristy to the new church.
The walk, at the extremity of which the church of Saint-Paul is
situated, was formed in 1692 and 1693; but was only the planted in 1729.
The whole space from watering place to the foot of mount
Saint-Catherine was formerly a vast meadow with a few gardens. The road
when finished was called the _Chemin neuf_; it is now called the _cours
Dauphin_, so named in memory of the birth of the dauphin, son of Lewis
XVth.
At the extremity of this avenue there are several springs of mineral
waters. They are called the waters of Saint-Paul, from the name of the
parish. There are also several of similar description in the quarter
Martainville, called la Marequerie.