Normandy Lazy Days
The Local Area
Villedieu-les-Poêles, France
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Villedieu-les-Poêles: this beautiful old town is just minutes from La Haute Hague. It is famous for its locally-crafted copperware which is sold all over Europe. Wander through the bustling weekly market which sells fresh local produce and delicious regional specialities, or just relax with a coffee in one of the many pavement cafés in the attractive town centre. |
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A little history...
In 1130, a small Normandy village called Siennêtre was given to the Knights-of-St-John, who established a colony of copper craftsmen there. When the Order was rechristened the Knights-of-Malta two centuries later, they renamed the village "Villedieu" to ensure God's protection. In the 19th-century, Villedieu started to manufacture everyday copper objects such as milk urns and pans, and at the beginning of the 20th-century, Villedieu became "Villedieu-les-Poêles" ("poêle" is the French word for frying pan)! The town's historic 15th-century copper workshops and courtyards have been preserved and are now a great tourist attraction. The most notable courtyards are Cour du Foyer, Cour Isaac, Cour de la Luzerne and Cour du Paradis.
The bells of Cornille-Havard
The Knights-of-St-John began bell-making in Villedieu several centuries before the modern bell foundry was established in 1865. Each bell is cast from bronze and can be personalised and decorated. The bells most frequently ordered are "la Fondamentale", "le Bourdon" (an octave lower) and "la Nominale" (an octave higher). Weighing around 300kg, a bell's sound depends on its diameter and the thickness of the metal used - any mistake in its fabrication can result in it sounding the wrong note or even making no sound at all.
Things to see
Visit the "Church of Notre-Dame": originally a 12th-century chapel, it became a Norman church in the 13th-century and was then transformed into a gothic-style church in the 15th-century. Also visit the "Musée de la poêslerie" (copper crafts), "Musée de la dentellière" (bobbin lace), "Maison de l'étain" (tin) and the "Musée municipal du meuble normand" (antique Norman furniture).
Things to do
"Le Grand Sacre": a religious procession celebrating the Knights of Malta which dates back to the 12th-century. It was stopped in 1789 but revived in 1955 - it is now held every four years (most recently June 20th 2004). "Discover the old Villedieu": a guided walk which lasts just over an hour. "Calèche tours": explore Villedieu from a horse-drawn carriage. "Market & music": in July and August, shop at the Tuesday market and then return that evening for a free concert. "Le parc zoologique de Champrepus": more than 80 species of African and Asian animals in 6 hectares of parkland.
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