A tomb slab in the chancel of Saint-Pierre Church, Gallo-Roman pottery and the history of a fief give Pierres several specific points of historical interest. The Brasserie Valdal, with its brewery tour and tasting, adds another. When planning a trip, this means you can take different interests into account, including church art, archaeological traces, local history and regional drinks.
Church and Archaeological Traces
The tomb slab of Georges de Banville, who died in 1697, is in the chancel of Saint-Pierre Church in Pierres. Two angels carry the slab. It connects a specific name and year of death with a striking sculptural detail. The same church also houses a chalice and a paten, as well as a rustic Norman sacristy cupboard. The chalice, paten and cupboard were registered as protected objects on 6 September 1984. The church therefore contains both a tomb and several objects listed as protected.
Archaeological finds also contribute to the picture of Pierres. Numerous polished and worked stones were discovered in the area in the 1960s. There are also Gallo-Roman pottery, roof tiles and terra sigillata pottery. These descriptions offer different points of reference: the stones are notable for their working and polish, while the pottery and roof tiles mentioned are classified as Gallo-Roman. The finds thus complement the church’s historical evidence with another perspective on the history of the town.
A Fief in Transition
The history of the lordship of Pierres can be traced through several changes occurring at different times. In 1204, during the incorporation of the Duchy of Normandy into the Kingdom of France, the Crown dispossessed Hascoldus de Soligny of his fief in Pierres. He was a supporter of the English. The lordship later became a royal farm, known as a “fief-ferme.” In 1210, this fief was granted to Richard de Rouvencestre. The dispossession and subsequent grant were separate steps: they mark a change in the fief and its administration, not a single event.
The later history of the estate is also linked to several generations. They succeeded one another at its head until 1784. That year, Charlotte de Banville, Lady of Pierres and wife of Louis Cyprien Aimé de Corday d’Arclais, died. Together, these details form a chronological line from the political upheaval of 1204, through the grant of 1210, to a later period in the estate’s history.
Brewery Tour and Local Drinks
The Brasserie Valdal offers another way to experience Pierres. It is located in the hamlet of La Ferrière at 20 route du vieux Theil, Pierres, 14410 Valdallière. In the Bocage Virois in Valdallière, the brewery makes craft beers using local and organic ingredients. During the tour, you can sample draft beers and other local drinks, including homemade lemonade, cider, apple juice from Vassy and herbal teas from the Bocage.
The tour and tasting are free. As access arrangements and product details may change, it is advisable to check with the brewery before visiting. The selection of drinks also makes the experience interesting for travelers who want to discover regional products beyond beer: apple juice, cider, lemonade and herbal tea complement the tasting. The combination of a brewery tour and a range of drinks is therefore a distinct culinary highlight alongside the town’s historical themes.
Discover more destinations: Creully, Cambes-En-Plaine, Saint-Étienne-La-Thillaye, Saint-Léger-Dubosq, Mittois, La Hoguette, Martragny, Saint-Gatien-Des-Bois.
For the broader travel overview: Calvados.
