Eraines combines a clear focus on hiking with a richly layered historic village centre. The buildings are arranged amphitheatrically on the slopes of the Ante Valley, and the Circuit de la Vallée de l’Ante also begins in the village. For your planning, there are two different route profiles to choose from: a hike with specific distance details and a long loop described as difficult. The Église Saint-Rieul and the village’s historic buildings also give Eraines its own cultural character.
Church and historic architecture
The Église Saint-Rieul was built in the 11th century; part of the nave dates from this period. The bell tower is crowned by an obelisk-shaped spire, precisely dated to 1803. Thus, the church brings together an early section of the nave and a later architectural detail dated to a specific year.
The church houses a statue of Saint Rieul from the 16th century. Made of painted, gilded limestone, it is classified as a historic monument. A statue of Saint Barbara from the 15th century is also classified as a historic monument. The parish church of Saint-Rieul is also associated with a bell dating from 1634. These different dates point to several centuries of church building and art history.
Eraines’ architectural heritage extends beyond the church: the village also has houses and farms dating from the 16th to the 19th century. Together with the amphitheatrical arrangement of the buildings on the slopes of the Ante Valley, this creates a village landscape shaped by both its surroundings and its different periods of construction.
Hiking trails around Eraines
The Circuit de la Vallée de l’Ante begins in Eraines. The route is listed as 12 kilometres long, with a duration of 3 hours 30 minutes and 143 metres of elevation gain. It starts at the car park by the church, passes a small, picturesque washhouse and follows the Ante Valley towards the Moulin d’Eraines. Along the way, it offers views of the Monts d’Eraines and the Coteau du Mesnil-Soleil. The listed distance, time and elevation gain help you gauge the extent of the hike.
L’Ant’Re Monts offers a different profile: the route includes a wooded loop in the Monts d’Eraines, crosses fields and woodland, and follows farm tracks through the countryside around Falaise. One section passes the Chapelle Saint-Anne d’Entremont; later, the route goes through the village of Eraines. L’Ant’Re Monts is long and is described as difficult.
When choosing a route, you can compare the specific details for the Circuit de la Vallée de l’Ante with the characteristics of L’Ant’Re Monts as a long, difficult route. The planning considerations therefore differ: for the Circuit, the key details are kilometres, duration and ascent; for L’Ant’Re Monts, its stated length and difficulty. Conditions on the Circuit and its signage, as well as car park conditions, may change; crossings and paths on L’Ant’Re Monts may also vary by season. Check current conditions before setting out.
Check the timetable
The Nomad line 1433 timetable, valid from 1 September 2026, lists Eraines as a stop on the service to Falaise. Check the current timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Sainte-Honorine-Des-Pertes, Saint-Côme-De-Fresné, Beuvron-en-Auge, Pierrefitte-En-Auge, Tracy-Bocage, Mosles, Barbery, La Chapelle-Yvon
For the broader travel overview: Calvados.
