Le Petit-Quevilly

Le Petit-Quevilly, southwestern inner-city suburb of Rouen, Seine-Maritime département, Normandy région, northwestern France, on the Seine River. The name Quevilly comes from the Latin Quevillicium—in ancient French Chivilly, or Chevilli—meaning “a row of spikes” that enclosed a park where the Norman dukes once hunted. It was designated “Petit” in 1030 to distinguish it from Le Grand-Quevilly. Historic buildings include the Chapel of Saint-Julien, formerly part of the leprosarium founded by Henry II of England in 1183. Louis IX (St. Louis) was baptized in the chapel, which is decorated with 12th- and 13th-century paintings. Once an important port and industrial suburb of Rouen, Le Petit-Quevilly has experienced substantial renewal related to residential and commercial development. Pop. (1999) 22,332; (2014 est.) 22,903.