this commune in Eure changed its name, considered too gloomy

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A hundred years ago, December 16, 1924the Official Journal legalized the change of name of the commune of Saint-Pierre-des-Fleurs: Saint-Pierre-des-Cercueilsit was over!

One hundred years later, the Saint-Pierre-des-Fleurs Historical Society association wants to perpetuate the past of the town, and looks back on this unusual story.

A name “too gloomy”

At the beginning of the second millennium, the forest bordering the Oison was divided into parishes. Names of saints are given, to which a determinant is added so as not to confuse them. We therefore find Saint-Amand-des-Hautes-Terres (Sanctus Amandus de Sauxeis, around 1210), Saint-Ouen-de-Pontcheuil (Sanctus Andoenus de Ponsel around 1172) or even Saint-Pierre-des-Cercueils (Sanctus Petrus de Sarquieux in 1274).

The origin of Saint-Pierre-des-Cercueils is therefore very ancientbut the reason for this name is not certain, “there are several hypotheses”, explains Danièle Haudiquet, president of the Historical Society for four years.

Already, the name “Coffins” is not exceptional. In Normandy, we find Le Cercueil in Orne, Cerqueux la Campagne in Calvados and Saint-Aubin-les-Cercueils, now Saint-Aubin-Routot.

The very name of the village of Saint-Pierre-des-Cercueils has undergone several transformations. He was called Saint Petrus of Sarqueus in 1257, of Sarquieux in 1274, of Sarcofagis in 1278, of Sarquiez in 1390, of Escherqueulx and Desserqueulx in the 15th century…

Sarcophagi in the church?

But all these names have in common the “sarcofagus”, a Latin word of Greek origin “Sarcophagi” which means “coffin”, in the sense of tomb and then cemetery. “We cannot say that we have the right explanation,” adds Danièle.

Several historians assured that “the name of this commune derives froma very old discovery of ancient burials » (Abbé Le Prevost), “stone sarcophagi were found in the interior of the church” (Société d’Etudes diversées de Louviers, 1912), “ a large cemetery ancient or Merovingian which was in the vicinity” (Geographic and Administrative Dictionary of France, 1902).

More June 3, 1924the mayor at the time, Mr. Groult, asked in municipal council that the name of the town be changed and replaced by Saint-Pierre-des-Fleurs. “The reasons given were that the name was too gloomy and little in harmony with its laughing and cheerful aspect, and especially the errors of La Poste, since there were many similar names”, adds the Historical Society, relying on the book History of Saint-Pierre-des-Fleurs by Roger Grégoire, dating from 1994.

And why transform “Coffins” into “Flowers”? Here too, doubt still lingers. “Surely for the rural side, the flowers that were planted in the village,” supposes Danièle.

The transformation of the village

With the association's treasurer, Philippe Ricard, a history enthusiast, they try to learn more about the town's past and pass on their discoveries. Having settled there themselves since 1987 for Danièle and 1991 for Philippe, they have seen the village evolve. “We know that in 20 years, from 1962 to 1982the village went from 269 to 1108 inhabitantswith the establishment of factories in the Elbeuf region,” comments Philippe. Saint-Pierre-des-Fleurs then became a “Renault village”, where many workers settled to work at the factory.

In more than thirty years, Philippe and Danièle have seen the number of inhabitants and housing constructions multiplyand yet the friendly life of the town declines. “When I arrived, there were at least two cafes where locals met. Today there are no more,” regrets Danièle, who worked for almost 20 years on the festival committee, before getting tired of it. “There were fewer and fewer Saint-Pierrais at the events, and the Covid didn’t help! »

Today, Saint-Pierre-des-Fleurs wants to regain conviviality, in particular by redeveloping the town center and creating a central square, where residents could meet. “A real village center is missing, it’s true. But it is imperative to keep the rural spirit and tranquility,” assure the two retirees, referring to the construction of around sixty housing units, also present in the village redevelopment project.

The Saint-Pierre-des-Fleurs Historical Society invites residents, from the village or surrounding areas, interested in history and its investigations to join them: [email protected]

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