Sainte-Pience brings together a local history with clearly dated milestones and a landscape that invites you to explore on foot. At Château du Parc, memories of the bishops of Avranches meet a later construction date; there is also a church, a manor house and monuments with their own historical associations. Hedgerows, valleys, walking trails and woods provide a natural counterpoint.
Château du Parc and its history
The first Château du Parc dates back to Jean de Bayeux’s tenure as Bishop of Avranches from 1061 to 1068. From 1061 until the French Revolution, the château was the residence of the bishops of Avranches. A second Château du Parc was built in 1769. The site’s history therefore encompasses both a role as a residence dating back to the 11th century and a later building from the 18th century.
Church, manor house and places of remembrance
Manoir de La Porte is considered Sainte-Pience’s most important manor house after Château du Parc. Within its walled grounds, Georges Hullin, Sieur de la Porte, had the Saint-Georges Chapel built in 1662; it no longer survives. The nave and choir of Sainte-Pience church were rebuilt in 1733. At the cemetery entrance stands a limestone statue of Saint Catherine, dating from around the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. It was listed as a historic monument in 1973. Fontaine Saint Armel is located in the car park by the church.
A Calvary cross with a precise date
At the junction of La Rimberdière and L’Airie stands a Calvary cross bearing an inscription from 1659. The four corners of its base are decorated with shell-shaped ornaments; its sides feature three different motifs. The monument can thus be identified not only by its date but also by its distinctive design.
Bocage, woods and walks
The bocage of Sainte-Pience, with its hedgerows, valleys and walking trails, as well as numerous woods, invites you to explore on foot. Fishing is also possible in Sainte-Pience. There are therefore different outdoor activities to choose from: walks through the countryside and fishing. Bois du Parc is also part of the area’s history. In the past, it extended over more than a third of the commune of Sainte-Pience.
The location is also clearly defined: the A84, Autoroute des Estuaires, borders Sainte-Pience. When looking for a holiday rental, you can consider the different aspects of the area: its historic buildings and monuments, and its countryside, with walking routes and opportunities for fishing. The deciding factor is whether you would rather focus your stay on local history or outdoor activities.
Discover more destinations: Angey, Carantilly, Pierreville, L’etang-Bertrand, Morville, Omonville-La-Petite, Quineville, Gavray.
For the wider travel overview: Manche.
