La Glacerie combines a defining history of mirror-glass production with museums, architectural heritage and walking trails. This offers different ways to plan a stay: explore cultural history and the landscape separately.
Mirror-glass history and culture
The Manufacture royale des glaces produced mirror glass in La Glacerie from 1667 to 1830. Its products included the mirrors for the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. The history of the manufactory thus connects a place in the Cotentin with a specific building in Versailles.
The Musée Connaissance du Cotentin is located in Hameau Luce, in a 19th-century farmhouse overlooking the village of La Verrerie. Its collections preserve themes from the former Manufacture Royale des Glaces à Miroirs and include an extensive collection of Norman headdresses and traditional costumes. They also feature everyday objects from the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The museum therefore focuses on both the former mirror-glass production and clothing and everyday life.
The surviving gable of the entrance portal to the Manufacture royale des glaces is also on display at the museum in La Glacerie. It is a tangible architectural testament to the manufactory’s history.
La Glacerie’s outstanding cultural landmarks include the Eglise Notre-Dame de la Délivrande, the Manoir de la Fieffe and the Château des Roches. The Domaine du château de Tourlaville is partly within La Glacerie. Its château was built in 1562 and is representative of the Cotentin’s Renaissance architecture.
The Théâtre des Miroirs adds theatre, performances for young audiences, storytelling events and concerts to the cultural programme. Workshops in artistic expression through dance, music and the visual arts are also offered. The specific programme and workshops may change, so check current listings if you are planning to attend an event.
Walking trails and landscapes
Echovallée is a 40-hectare area within La Glacerie. It stretches from rue de Bel Air to the vallée de Quincampoix. The Echovallée trail is classified as a moderate hike: it is 4.3 kilometres long and takes about an hour and 30 minutes. Echovallée is also suitable for family walks in a natural, unspoilt setting.
The Vallée du Trottebec trail offers a different kind of walk. It is a rural woodland walk along forest paths and hunting tracks, starting at the car park in the village of La Verrerie in La Glacerie. The two trails therefore offer different experiences: the length and approximate duration help you estimate the time needed for Echovallée, while forest paths and hunting tracks shape the character of the Vallée du Trottebec route.
Getting to the trails
Echovallée can be reached on Cap-Cotentin bus routes D and S14, getting off at “La glacerie Mairie”. To reach the Vallée du Trottebec trail, take bus route 7 to the “Cables” stop. As routes and stops may change, check your connection before travelling.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Vesly, Flamanville, Le Mesnil-Rogues, La Chapelle-CĂ©celin, Bourguenolles, La Croix-Avranchin, Heugueville-Sur-Sienne, Rouffigny.
Return to the regional travel guide: Manche.
