Sainte-Mère-Église:
Located in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Cotentin and Bessin Marshes and in the territory of the Plain, Sainte-Mère-Église is rich in its glorious past and its ancient agricultural traditions.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the first city liberated on the morning of June 6, 1944, pays tribute to its liberators. One of them, John Steele, became popular despite himself, hanging on the steeple of the church. Shortly after, he is taken prisoner by a German soldier who picks him up and John Steele happily escapes. He returned to the commune of Sainte-Mère-Eglise several times, and he died on May 16, 1969.
Sainte-Mère-Église commemorates the release each year.
Ravenoville:
Small coastal village, Ravenoville takes place in the department of Manche, Normandy region. Populated by about 270 inhabitants, it is divided into two distinct villages: Ravenoville-Bourg and Ravenoville-Plage. It is located not far from Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated from France in 1944, and Utah Beach known for its bloody battles during the D-Day.
Ravenoville was mainly illustrated in 1944 during the battles of the Second World War. Its mainly seaside tourism is also focused on this important part of history. Full of charm, the village has a historical and architectural heritage that seduces passing visitors.
Its beach and nautical activities also offer a lot of entertainment for people who want to enjoy all the benefits of the Channel Sea.
Sainte-Mère-Église:
- You can visit the Airborne Museum, a museum of airborne troops, which houses a Waco glider that was used to land men during the D-Day, but also a large collection of documents, GI testimonies, equipment... In the museum enclosure you can also discover a film about twenty minutes "Fights for Freedom". Tel: +33 2 33 41 41 35.
- If you undertake the visit of the church you will be able to admire the stained glasses in tribute to the liberators. On the territory of Sainte-Mère-Église is also the terminal 0, starting point of the Liberty Way which ends in Bastogne in Belgium.
- A historical circuit is established on the town, it will allow you to discover the heritage of Sainte-Mère-Église but also many anecdotes about the D-Day (support plan at the tourist office).
- Rural life: Sainte-Mère-Eglise is also the homeland of dairy farming and butter that made known the locality around the world from the late nineteenth century. At the exit of the village, on the road to Valognes, Farm-Museum Cotentin, located in a manor farm offers you to discover this story: reconstructions of life on the farm that talk about the lives of breeders of the early twentieth century, exhibitions on the history of breeding and the Norman cow, live animals, conservatory orchards. A discovery for the whole family! This museum is punctuated throughout the year by many events. Discover the new exhibition "Y'a pus d'seasons!" which evokes, through an exceptional film, the local agriculture before the arrival of the tractor.
- The biscuit factory of Sainte-Mère-Église.
Ravenoville:
Gothic style, the church of Saint-Gilles has walls filled with modillions of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Surrounded by its cemetery, it has in its interior a monumental stove to discover the time of a visit of the building.
It is possible to admire the remains of Ravenoville Castle, partly destroyed in 1944 and razed in 1955. A marriage of limestone and brick, it still has the remains of a 17th century dovecote and common.
Largely modified, especially at the level of the enclosure and the old guardhouse, the Ravenoville fort dates from the 19th century. It takes place on the remains of an old square redoubt of the seventeenth century.
While walking in Ravenoville or its surroundings, do not miss to appreciate the manor-farm of Surville of the XVIe century, the farm of Portbail of the same time, or the manor of Cibrantot of the XVIIIe century. It is also possible to see some fisheries on the sea.
Along the seafront, a statue of the Black Virgin welcomes you. It is the place of an important religious celebration.
The Dunes beach is also one of Ravenoville's assets. Large expanse of fine sand, it allows to take advantage of the idleness or the practice of various nautical activities. Offshore, one can see the islands of Earth and Large which form the archipelago of the islands Saint-Marcouf. Forbidden to access, they host ornithological reserves.
Sainte-Mère-Église:
Sainte-Mère-Eglise is the scene of many events: commemorations, horse show, hikes, shows, local markets, local markets and crafts, markets for calves.
The commemorations around June 6th remain until today the most important demonstration of the commune with parachutes, deposits of wreaths, concerts, parades, shows and visitors of the whole world...
Ravenoville:
The communal festival is held every year on the first Sunday of August with several events such as a garage sale, an enduro race on the beach, fireworks, a torchlight procession or a parade of floats.
Visite des Animaux - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 16 april 2024
- 1 rue de Beauvais
- Special visit for children. Discovery of the farmyard animals of the farm-museum. Children will feed the different breeds of chickens, ducks, geese, goats, rabbits and donkeys from the Cotentin region. - Supplement activity 2.50 /child in addition to the entrance to the museum.
Balade en Tracteur Vintage - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 17 april 2024
- 1 chemin de Beauvais, Ferme-musée du Cotentin
- Climb aboard the cart and let yourself be led by the farm-museum's 1969 Renault tractor. Duration of the ride : about 20 minutes. - Activity 1.50 ? /pers in addition to the entrance to the museum. - From 2:30 pm, departures every 30 minutes until 5 pm.
Du Beurre à la Baratte - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 18 april 2024
- 1 rue de Beauvais
- Workshop of butter making with a churn. Tasting of the freshly made butter. - Workshop on reservation. - Extra charge for this activity : 2.50 ? /person.
Atelier Le Tour à Bois Cyclette - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 22 april 2024
- 1 rue de Beauvais, Ferme-musée du Cotentin
- Pedal your own egg cup ! With Paul Lecouvey. At 2.30pm and 4pm. - Reservations required. - Price : 2.50/child plus museum admission.
Visite des Animaux - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 23 april 2024
- 1 rue de Beauvais
- Special visit for children. Discovery of the farmyard animals of the farm-museum. Children will feed the different breeds of chickens, ducks, geese, goats, rabbits and donkeys from the Cotentin region. - Supplement activity 2.50 /child in addition to the entrance to the museum.
Balade en Tracteur Vintage - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 24 april 2024
- 1 chemin de Beauvais, Ferme-musée du Cotentin
- Climb aboard the cart and let yourself be led by the farm-museum's 1969 Renault tractor. Duration of the ride : about 20 minutes. - Activity 1.50 ? /pers in addition to the entrance to the museum. - From 2:30 pm, departures every 30 minutes until 5 pm.
Du Beurre à la Baratte - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 25 april 2024
- 1 rue de Beauvais
- Workshop of butter making with a churn. Tasting of the freshly made butter. - Workshop on reservation. - Extra charge for this activity : 2.50 ? /person.
Retour aux Sources
- On 26 april 2024
- Place de l'église
- In the shadow of Normandy's most famous steeple, a series of winding lanes make up this bocage tour of the small villages of Le Plain. Accompanied by Les Odyssées d'Angel, discover washhouses and fountains for a return… to your roots.
Atelier Initiation à la Vannerie - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 29 april 2024
- 1 rue de Beauvais
- Come and learn how to weave wicker to make a small wickerwork object. - Reservations required. - 2.50/person supplement on top of museum admission.
Visite des Animaux - Ferme-Musée du Cotentin
- On 30 april 2024
- 1 rue de Beauvais
- Special visit for children. Discovery of the farmyard animals of the farm-museum. Children will feed the different breeds of chickens, ducks, geese, goats, rabbits and donkeys from the Cotentin region. - Supplement activity 2.50 /child in addition to the entrance to the museum.
