Négreville lies at the confluence of the Douve and the Gloire. Hedgerows around the fields shape the bocage landscape here. Those wishing to explore the area on foot can take the “Autour de la Gloire” circular route, a practical way to experience both the landscape and the area’s former industries: the path follows the Gloire, where remnants of this industry can still be seen.

Bocage and the route along the Gloire

“Autour de la Gloire” is listed as an easy 12.4-kilometre walk with a stated duration of three hours. Yellow waymarks indicate the circular route. Check trail conditions before setting out and follow the markings along the way. The starting point is 300 metres from the “Négreville – Le Bourg” stop on the Cap Cotentin bus network. Separately, Négreville is served by Le Cotentin’s Line G, which connects the village with Valognes. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the current timetables.

The route information can help you weigh up the time needed for a walk and a visit to other places, without conflating the route with the memorial and cultural sites. The path follows the river; the historic crosses and the château complex are separate destinations in the village. This lets you choose your focus among landscape, architectural history and remembrance.

Mill, château and historic crosses

The Domaine du château de Pont-Rilly is an 18th-century château complex, parts of which are protected as a historic monument. The Moulin de la Ville on the Gloire also tells the story of local history: visitors are given an explanation of the mill’s history and how it works. Two waterwheels power three pairs of millstones for grinding buckwheat, barley, oats and wheat. The mechanism, made entirely of wooden parts, has been listed as a historic monument since 1975. The mill may date back as far as the 12th century. A workshop on making buckwheat porridge in the traditional way ends with a tasting; check in advance whether it is taking place during your visit.

The Church of Saint-Pierre was built at the beginning of the 17th century and is notable for its spacious, light-filled interior. The cross in the cemetery bears an inscription with the year 1453. Another cross, the Croix de l’Hôtel-au-Cauf, is also known as the Croix des Templiers. It is made of local limestone; its creation is dated approximately to the period between the late 15th century and the mid-16th century. The name alone does not establish a connection to the Knights Templar.

The locations of other crosses also help orient visitors in the local landscape. The Croix d’Urville stands at the entrance to the avenue leading to the Château de Pont-Rilly, on the road from Valognes to Sottevast. The Croix Jacob is at the junction of the D62 and D146 and gave its name to the hamlet. Their different locations and names make these crosses distinct points of reference rather than a single attraction.

Remembrance and local history

Since 4 June 2007, Négreville’s central square has been dedicated to Chris Heisler. A memorial ceremony is held there every year around 6 June for those who fought for the liberation of France. Check the dates for the year in question before travelling. On 7 June 2024, a memorial ceremony was also held at the Mémorial Chris Heisler to commemorate the plane crash of 6 June 1944.

A freely accessible panel on the forecourt of the town hall presents the history of the area. It introduces the commune’s architectural heritage and heritage of remembrance. Another information panel in the square by the Church of Saint-Pierre explains the crash of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain in the hamlet of Rouville near Négreville. The Monument 82nd US Airborne Division in Rouville commemorates American paratroopers whose aircraft crashed there on the night of 5–6 June 1944.

The directions described from Négreville to the monument follow the D62 towards Sottevast, then take the first turning on the left beneath the railway line and follow the signs to the hamlet of Rouville. Check the signs on site before relying on these directions.

Discover more destinations: Granville, Le Mesnilbus, Le Mesnil-Tôve, Montanel, Le Teilleul, Biniville, Réville, Folligny.

For the broader travel overview: Manche.