Signtseeing in the vicinity of Blainville
THE REGNEVILLE LIME KILNS
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REGNEVILLE-SUR-MER
The lime kilns
14 route des fours à chaux
50590 Regnéville-sur-Mer
02.33.46.82.18
Website: http://patrimoine.manche.fr
Built between 1852 and 1854, the monumental Rey lime kilns are the impressive witnesses to a flourishing 19th Century business in the region: the production of lime from Montmartin limestone. A lime kiln worker's day is a tour accompanied by sound that helps you discover the site as a whole: from the quarry to the kiln, from the raw material to the finished product. The museum has two permanent exhibitions: from limestone to lime: the history of lime production methods through the ages. Regneville, a tidal port: models, travel souvenirs, sailors' work, wrecks, etc. tell the story of the rich maritime past of Regnéville-sur-mer. A film recounts the history of the Regnéville-sur-mer castle and the port, which was one of the most active in Cotentin starting in the Middle Ages.
REGNEVILLE FORTIFIED CASTLE
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REGNEVILLE-SUR-MER
The fortified castle
14 route des four à chaux
50590 Regnéville-sur-Mer
02.33.46.82.18
Website: http://patrimoine.manche.fr
The discovery tour is open and free of charge all year round.
A fortified castle built with "its feet in the water" with a history that starts in the 14th Century.
Regnéville castle or a turbulent history: at first the residence of Charles II the Bad, King of Navarre, the fortress provided protection for merchants before becoming a major location in the Hundred Years War in Normandy.
It was the French Wars of Religion that gave the donjon its characteristic shape.
The castle was built at the foot of Regnéville harbour to protect the numerous merchants who came for shelter in the tidal port:
In the 14th Century, boats from all around Western Europe found their way to Regnéville during the great Montmartin fair to trade in wine, fabric, etc.
A major location during the Hundred Years War in Normandy: the castle was occupied by the English for about 30 years before being liberated in 1449.
During the French Wars of Religion the castle was razed to the ground in 1637.
THE SAINT-GERBOLD HERMITAGE
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GRATOT
The Saint-Gerbold Hermitage
Built in the 15th Century at the wish of the Lords of Gratot, the Saint-Gerbold Hermitage was first a chapel dedicated to the 7th Century bishop of Bayeux. It then became a place of worship and living quarters and remained strongly attached to Gratot castle.
A footpath connects Gratot castle to the Hermitage and enables you to discover the sunken lanes rich with local heritage.
COUTANCES CATHEDRAL
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COUTANCES
The Cathedral
Coutances Cathedral, along with the “Merveille” of Mont Saint-Michel, is the most famous jewel of Gothic art in Normandy. Built in the first decades of the 13thCentury, the current edifice is built around important parts of the 11th Century Roman cathedral.
More than a simple visit: one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Normandy opens its most secret doors to you. Accompanied by a guide who will tell you about the edifice, you will discover everything from above that you will never see from below: the interior of the Roman towers, the attic, the stained-glass windows, the high galleries of the nave, and don't forget the vertiginous light tower.
There are two ways to visit the cathedral:
- with an audio-guide
- with a tourist guide
LA POINTE D'AGON
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AGON-COUTAINVILLE
La Pointe d'Agon
A wild area which is full of life and continually changes in appearance with the tides and the light. It has been classified as a natural site since 1989, with its strands, sandy expanses and salt marshes grazed by sheep, and provides a magnificent view of the Sienne estuary and the Regnéville harbour.
La Pointe d'Agon hides unsuspected wealth. Among its 400 species of plants are the lyme grass, glasswort, sea lavender, aster, wild orchid, etc.
GRATOT CASTLE
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GRATOT
The Castle
Route d'Argouges
50200 Gratot
02.33.45.18.49
Site Internet : http://www.chateaugratot.com
Open from 1 January to 31 December: 10am-7pm
The ruins of Gratot castle stand a few kilometres from the sea. The castle where the Argouges family lived now has four 14th and 15th Century towers, including the "Fairy tower", a 17th Century seigniorial dwelling, a 18th Century house, all surrounded by moats.
The fairy Andaine disappeared from the castle on the day her husband, the Lord of Argouges, mentioned the sad name of death.
The restoration of the castle was started in 1968 through a voluntary project.
PIROU FORTIFIED CASTLE
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PIROU
The fortified castle
Château de Pirou
50770 Pirou
02.33.46.34.71
Site Internet : http://www.chateau-pirou.org
Closed every Tuesday
Built in the 12th Century, Pirou fortified castle is one of the most ancient castles in Normandy. The legend of the Pirou geese connects the origin of the fortified castle to Scandinavian invasions. The Pirou tapestry, which is exhibited in summer, humorously relates the conquest of Southern Italy by the Cotentin Normans.