Aunay-sur-Odon can be explored through two distinct interests: the history of its reconstruction and an easy hike that starts in the town. The historic promenade takes you through its reconstruction heritage; the Église Saint-Samson and Cinéma Le Paradiso offer further cultural themes. This makes it possible to tailor your choice of activities for your stay to specific interests.
Reconstruction history in the townscape
The historic promenade through Aunay-sur-Odon focuses on the town’s reconstruction heritage after the Second World War. The story goes back to June 1944, when bombing completely destroyed Aunay-sur-Odon. The town was subsequently rebuilt as the first commune in France to undergo reconstruction. This sequence of destruction and rebuilding provides the walk with its thematic framework and puts post-war history at the center. If you are interested in the recent history of a place, this offers a concrete way to explore how Aunay-sur-Odon developed.
There are two ways to follow the promenade. A visitor leaflet is available to download; you can also take the tour with audio guidance using the izi.TRAVEL app. You can therefore choose between a downloadable leaflet and the audio version of the same historic tour. Which option suits you best depends on whether you prefer to follow the information in writing or by audio.
Church and cinema
The Église Saint-Samson d’Aunay-sur-Odon is inspired by Romanesque churches; its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross. These details describe different aspects: the inspiration points to its architectural influences, while the floor plan describes the layout of the building. A Latin-cross floor plan can be understood as a cross-shaped arrangement of space, with a longer main axis and a transept. To understand the architecture, you can therefore look at both the influences and the basic form without needing to know specialist terminology.
Cinéma Le Paradiso is located at 1 place de l'Hôtel de Ville in Aunay-sur-Odon. A digital projector makes 3D film screenings possible. Along with the historic promenade and the church, the cinema is one of the town’s specific cultural attractions. If a 3D screening is important to your plans, check what is currently showing before your visit, as technical equipment can change.
An easy hike for a different perspective
The “Sous les monts d’Aunay” hike starts in Aunay-sur-Odon and leads through the Les Monts d’Aunay area. It is rated easy and offers a different perspective from the historic promenade: there, the focus is on the town’s reconstruction heritage; here, on a hike through the area. If you would like to include some activity in your stay, this named trail is a clearly described way to do so.
When planning your stay, you can choose activities according to your interests: the promenade and the Église Saint-Samson offer reconstruction history and architecture, while “Sous les monts d’Aunay” adds an easy hike. If you are looking for a hotel in Aunay-sur-Odon, you can choose the destination based on whether cultural history or outdoor activity will play a bigger part in your stay. That way, your plans start with the experiences that interest you.
Discover more destinations: Sallenelles, Saonnet, Viessoix, Campandré-Valcongrain, Montchamp, La Cambe, Russy, Saint-Hymer.
Return to the main travel overview: Calvados.
