Gouberville brings together two distinct travel interests: architectural and local history centred on the church, and birdlife at the Étang de Gattemare. A hiking stage between Réthoville and Gouberville adds a specific route detail to these themes. When choosing accommodation for a stay in Gouberville, you can therefore first decide whether church history, nature or hiking should be your main focus.

The Church and Historical Connections

The oldest surviving traces of Gouberville’s church probably date from the early 13th century. They include the west gable with its portal and window, the base of the tower, and three windows in the choir. The dating refers to these surviving elements, not to a single construction date for the entire church.

The bell tower belongs to a different phase of construction. Work on it began in the 14th century, but the tower remained unfinished until 1780. Work then resumed, with a height of about 19 metres planned. This distinction is important for understanding the chronology: the early 13th century refers to surviving structural elements, while the dates for the tower refer to the start and resumption of a construction project.

The tombstone of Hervé de Crosville, once Seigneur de Gouberville, can also be seen in the choir. Gilles de Gouberville adds another historical name: he is considered a Norman nobleman and Seigneur de Gouberville. His journal is available in three volumes: Volume 1 covers 1549–1553, Volume 2 1554–1558, and Volume 3 1559–1562. One entry records a visit to Gouberville to graft trees. The journal’s precise connection to the place thus adds a specific historical entry to the church’s architectural and funerary history.

The Étang de Gattemare and Birdlife

The Étang de Gattemare lies within the communes of Gouberville, Gatteville-le-Phare and Néville-sur-Mer and is open to the public. It is of considerable importance for ornithology, particularly for migratory and breeding birds. The pond is also part of the Natura 2000 site “Caps et marais arrière-littoraux de Barfleur au Cap Lévi”. The natural significance of this place is specific: migratory and breeding birds, along with its inclusion in a named protected area, shape how to experience this location.

Hiking Routes as a Planning Option

The hiking route published in 2026 includes a five-kilometre section from Réthoville to Gouberville. The distance is given for this stage and offers a specific reference point if you want to include hiking in your travel plans.

A walking route leads north from Bas de la rue de Gouberville to the Étang de Gattemare. The path runs through a protected area of the Conservatoire du littoral; hikers should stay on the GR223. The two route descriptions help with different planning questions: the hiking route gives the start, destination and distance; the route to the pond focuses on direction, the protected area and the GR223.

Discover more destinations: Pontorson, Barfleur, Courtils, Émondeville, Saint-Patrice-De-Claids, Servon, Saint-Clair-sur-l'Elle, Turqueville

For the broader travel overview: Manche.