Medieval monuments in our region | Coutances Tourisme : Organisez vos vacances dans la Manche

#1 - Remains of the ducal castle of Gavray-sur-Sienne

One of the oldest castles in the region is Gavray. Built in the 11th century and overlooking the valley and the bocage, it offers a breathtaking view over the Normandy countryside and the village of Gavray-sur-Sienne. Surprisingly, this place steeped in history has seen the glory of many famous Norman personalities, such as the Dukes of Normandy, with Henry 1st Beauclerc, son of William the Conqueror, Philipe Auguste, the Duke of Normandy and the Duke of Normandy.rant, Philipe Auguste, Charles le Mauvais, Arthur de Richemont, Charles VII and later Louis XIV, who granted the estate to his son Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon.

The monument has thus seen many conflicts between ducal and royal families. For the people of Gavray-sur-Sienne, the monument is not only a reminder of the past, it also helped establish the village as it is today.

In 1876, a devastating fire destroyed the village’s houses. Some of the castle’s stones were essential to the rebuilding effort. Like a savior resurrected from time immemorial, the château ducal has a strong imprint on the minds of the people of Gavray-sur-Sienne.

In 1980, a preservation association was formed to carry out archaeological excavations on the remains of the estate. The ruins were remodeled, leaving the site as we know it today open to visitors. It looks out over the river Sienne and the village from its height.

> A Kit-m tour on smartphone lets you find out more about the castle ruins and its history. Several footpaths take you around the site overlooking the town.

©Site des ruines du château de Gavray-sur-Sienne vu du dessus|Jim prod

Château association website

Find out more about the remains of the Ducal Castle

#2 - Regnéville-sur-Mer castle

©Marché Dans La Cour Du Chateau De Regneville|Jim Prod

le-chateau-de-regneville-vu-du-donjon-departement-de-la-manche1.jpg — ©default|Département de la Manche

©Entrée du château de Regnéville sur Mer|Jim Prod

After Gavray, if you follow the river a little further upstream, closer to the sea at the mouth of the harbour, you ‘ll find the château de Regnéville-sur-Mer.

This is where you’ll find the Château de Regnéville-sur-Mer, which, though marked by the passage of time, still retains all its splendor. Founded in the 12th century, it has been altered many times over the centuries.

Today, its ruins are the pride of the village, a village of former fishermen where the atmosphere of departure for the open sea still reigns.

The château was once the landmark of Regnéville-sur-Mer, one of the region’s busiest beaching ports during the medieval period. In particular, this monument was used to monitor the passage of merchant ships up the Sienne River on their way to the region’s major fairs, such as Gavray-sur-Sienne. According to written records, the château was also built by Henri 1st Beauclerc. It remained in the royal domain for a long time, even after Normandy became part of France: the Dukes of Normandy and Kings of England recognized its strategic port location, enabling them to easily control Lower Normandy.

Destroyed under English occupation during the Hundred Years’ War, it was restored before being heavily damaged again by a storm in 1630.

From then on, the Château de Regnéville-sur-Mer was used exclusively for residential and farming purposes. It wasn’t until 1991 that it was listed as a historic monument. Extra info:

Throughout the summer of 2022, we welcome you to a temporary information point to provide you with all the tourist information you need!
On Friday evenings in summer, browse the stalls of the Regnéville-sur-Mer market in the castle grounds and enjoy a concert.

Virtual tour of the château

Regneville Castle

#3 - Hambye Abbey

The abbey appeared in 1145, at the height of the golden age of Norman abbeys, and was founded by Guillaume Paisnel, lord of Hambye. (The construction of the abbey granted him and his family the privilege of being buried in the church).

It was built at the request of Algare, bishop of Coutances, who was concerned about the problems of the time, as the land was suffering from incessant drought and famine. It therefore occurred to him that an abbey should be founded to appease the divine wrath. Following its construction, Guillaume Paisnel invited monks from the Reformed congregation of Tiron.

Hambye Abbey has been home to Benedictine monks for centuries. Thanks to its proximity to the river, the site is surrounded by greenery, ideal for growing crops and vegetable gardens. The building was stripped bare over time, becoming a quarry after the French Revolution and marked by spiritual decline.

The abbey lost its vaulted ceiling, giving it the mystique for which it is renowned today. In 1902, the abbey church was listed as a historic monument, and it was not until1954 that a concrete renovation was undertaken, thanks to the Beck family.

TheBeck family are still part-owners of this extraordinary site, and since 1964 have shared the management of the site with the Département de la Manche. Thanks to this invaluable collaboration, the restoration of the building was carried out in the best possible conditions, before finally revealing its magnificent secrets to the public.

> Tablets provide access to the Abbey in augmented reality. Discover the Abbey as it was in the days of the monks. An incredible immersive experience!

Vue de l'abbaye de Hambye depuis le parc — ©Abbaye de Hambye|Aymeric Picot

abbaye-hambye-coutances-tourisme-hambye-3d-juillet-2020-50-rotated.jpg

Hambye Abbey website

More about Hambye Abbey

#4 - Château de Gratot

Fortified in the late 13th century, it was originally the site of a feudal castle, passed down through the ages between the de Gratot and Saussey families, as well as the lords and knights of Argouges and the Quesnel family.

The estate rapidly fell into disrepair over time and was completely abandoned in the 20th century.

It was then bought by the farmer of the Gratot lands in 1924, and despite the debts, he courageously maintained the roofs of the outbuildings, which served as fodder barns.

His grandchildren undertook the first volunteer workcamp in 1968, which later became the Association d’Animation du Château de Gratot, ensuring the restoration and upkeep of this enchanting place surrounded by moats and magnificent parkland.

Château de Gratot Coutances tourisme normandie manche — ©Château de Gratot à côté de Coutances|Jim Prod

Gratot castle virtual tour

Château de Gratot website

#5 - Notre-Dame de Coutances Cathedral

©Cathédrale de Coutances depuis l'arrière|Teddy Bear

©Visite des parties hautes de la cathédrale de coutances|Eric Quesnel

©Visite de la cathédrale par le pays d'art et d'histoire du coutançais|Jim Prod

©Visite des parties hauts de la cathédrale de Coutances

Cathédrale de Coutances vue du ciel — ©Cathédrale de Coutances|Jim Prod

Thousands of men’s lives have passed beneath its towers, and it still watches over the episcopal city of Coutances day and night.

It dominates the landscape in such an exceptional way that it can be seen from the sea. Its two facade spires and lantern tower are typical of Norman Gothic structures, while the upper sections are Romanesque. Its pure, powerful lines are the pride of the people of Coutance. In fact, Coutances’ first cathedral may well be one of the oldest religious buildings in the area. In 430, Saint Éreptiol, the first bishop of Coutances, is said to have built a basilica on the site of a Gallo-Roman temple, only the remains of which can still be found today following barbarian destruction.

It wasn’t until 1056 that the new Romanesque cathedral was inaugurated in the presence of Duke William. In the 13th century, certain elements were destroyed to make way for new Gothic architectural installations.

Over time, Notre-Dame Cathedral was embellished, updated and enlarged, notably with the addition of St. George’s and St. Thomas Becket’s chapels. Records show that masons from the cloister of Mont-Saint-Michel were involved in these works.

That’s why there’s something particularly strong about the structure of this unmissable monument. A sense of calm and serenity as you stroll between the pillars of the nave and choir, which has attracted countless pilgrims over the centuries.

The cathedral had to be enlarged to accommodate this influx of people. Even today, it continues to attract tourists, and tours are organized to learn more about the fascinating history of Coutances Cathedral.