Nature at the Coteau des Champs Genêts
The Coteau des Champs Genêts is a limestone hillside typical of the Pays d’Auge, offering views over the valley. It is also designated as an Espace naturel sensible (sensitive natural area) by the Orne Department. From early April to late September, you can visit the hillside free of charge and without a guide. Access is from the car park by the church in Aubry-le-Panthou.
Rare species found on the hillside include Gentiane croisette, Orchis grenouille, Dompte-venin, Azuré bleu céleste, Petite violette and criquet de Phalène. The species list may change as ongoing ecological surveys are carried out. The valley view is the landscape aspect; the species list adds an ecological perspective. Before setting out, check the relevant visiting season and parking arrangements.
Hiking and planning your visit
Le Chemin des Sages is a six-kilometre circular walk that starts at the church in Aubry-le-Panthou. It is rated as moderate and is listed as taking about one hour and 30 minutes. The church is a reference point for both planning questions: access to the hillside is from the car park by the church, and Le Chemin des Sages starts at the church. The details answer different planning questions: for the hillside, the visiting season and access point matter; for Le Chemin des Sages, they are the route length, difficulty level and approximate walking time. The approximate duration helps you estimate how much time to allow for the walk when planning your trip.
Church and architectural history
The present-day Église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois was built between 1732 and 1736 and consecrated in 1738. Its layout comprises a bell tower over the entrance, a nave and a choir beneath a shared roof ridge, as well as a sacristy by the polygonal apse. In architecture, the nave is the main space running lengthwise; the choir forms a separate area. The shared roof ridge brings both under one roofline, while “polygonal” refers to the apse’s multi-sided floor plan. The altarpiece comprises three paintings by Léon Olivié dating from 1862. The construction, consecration and painting dates mark different stages: the church was built first, then consecrated; the paintings date from a later period.
In Les Moutiers, the former church stood beside a priory that was dependent on the Abbey of Saint-Evroult-Notre-Dame-du-Bois. The present-day Église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois and the former church in Les Moutiers therefore offer two separate historical perspectives: the former focuses on construction, consecration and furnishings, while the latter focuses on the priory and its dependence on the abbey.
More cultural highlights
The second Château d’Osmond is an imposing building in the Louis-Philippe style, overlooking the valley. Vajradhara Ling, a centre for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism, is located on the Domaine du Château d'Osmont in Aubry-le-Panthou. The two sites have different points of interest: the château is notable for its architectural style, while Vajradhara Ling is a centre for study and practice.
Discover more destinations: Cerisé, Crouttes, Courgeon, Saint-Michel-Des-Andaines, La Genevraie, Trun, Marchemaisons, Les Champeaux
For the broader travel overview: Orne.
