Grangues is a hilly village in the Pays d’Auge, in the Calvados countryside and easily reached from the beaches of the Côte Fleurie. Two distinct themes are central to planning a stay: Notre-Dame Church, with its architectural and artistic history, and the Les Deux Fontaines hiking trail. There is also the Saint-Roch spring at the entrance to the church. You can get to know Grangues through cultural details, a local stop and a walk; these highlights can be planned separately rather than treated as one fixed itinerary.

Notre-Dame Church: several historical layers

Notre-Dame Church was built in the 12th and 13th centuries in the Romanesque style. In the following century, it was altered by the addition of Flamboyant Gothic windows. The building therefore brings together different architectural periods: its Romanesque character and the later windows belong to separate stages of its history. Since the decree of 17 July 1926, Notre-Dame Church in Grangues has been protected as a historic monument.

Items in the church include a bell dating from 1541 and a signed painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, dated 1727. The painting is inscribed “La Haye Cagniard Pinx 1727”. The bell and painting provide their own historical markers alongside the building’s history: they do not date from the same period as the medieval church. Visitors interested in architecture and sacred art can distinguish the church’s different historical layers rather than assigning it to a single century.

The Saint-Roch spring and hiking trail

The Saint-Roch spring is a designated stop at the entrance to the church. It is traditionally believed to cure contagious diseases. This healing power is part of local belief, not a medical claim. The reference to its healing power belongs to local tradition; the stop itself is located at the church entrance. These are two distinct aspects to consider when planning a trip: the spring as a landmark and its traditional significance.

One specific hiking option is Les Deux Fontaines: the 9 km trail connects Grangues and Gonneville-sur-Mer. The distance gives you a point of reference for fitting the walk into your travel plans. The route’s paths are maintained by the community association and the participating municipalities, and are marked with FFRandonnée waymarks. Maintenance and markers may change over time, so check the current trail markers before setting out. The route is a separate outdoor highlight alongside Grangues’ cultural attractions.

Planned church openings in summer 2026

For summer 2026, Notre-Dame Church in Grangues was scheduled to open every Sunday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, from 12 July to 23 August; candlelit evening visits with sacred songs were also planned for 18 July and 14 August, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Vaast-Sur-Seulles, Saint-Germain-De-Livet, Les Authieux-Sur-Calonne, Commes, Fontenay Le Pesnel, Le Mesnil-Durand, Heurtevent, Bény-Sur-Mer

For the regional travel overview: Calvados.