GR®223 – Sainte-Mère-Eglise – Fontenay-sur-Mer
Description
Before embarking on this 14 km stage, take advantage of your visit to visit Sainte-Mère-Église. During the night of June 5 to 6, 1944, 15 soldiers were dropped on the village and its surroundings. Carried away by their parachute, some remain hanging in the trees: this is how soldier John Steele remained clinging to the church bell tower for two hours before being saved! In the early morning, Sainte-Mère-Église became the first town in France to be liberated by air. Right next to the church, the Airborne Museum presents the history of these airdrops. A quick stop by the Sainte-Mère biscuit factory to stock up on treats and off we go for a 000 km hike to Fontenay-sur-Mer. Also worth seeing in Sainte-Mère: terminal 14 of the Voie de la Liberté. From the Normandy beaches to Belgium, 0 milestones mark the route taken by the allies and the French army to liberate France.
On leaving the town, you have to join the Monet hunt. This path runs through the Plain, this bocage region of Cotentin. It is also the cradle of the Norman cattle and horse breeds; Trotters and saddle horses of many prizes were born here.
After the Percé bridge, the path takes you to the small village of Azeville, famous for its German battery. Built in 1942, it marks the beginning of the German presence on the Channel coast.
Your hike continues on dirt roads (also called “hunting”) to Saint-Marcouf, where you can discover the restored 13th century church, the crypt and the fountain and its miraculous waters. Offshore, the islands of the same name are today an ornithological reserve for Île de Terre and a military fort currently being restored for Île du Large.
Leave the road to follow the path leading you to the Crisbecq battery. Cross Dangueville to reach Fontenay-sur-Mer, the end of your stage of the day.
On leaving the town, you have to join the Monet hunt. This path runs through the Plain, this bocage region of Cotentin. It is also the cradle of the Norman cattle and horse breeds; Trotters and saddle horses of many prizes were born here.
After the Percé bridge, the path takes you to the small village of Azeville, famous for its German battery. Built in 1942, it marks the beginning of the German presence on the Channel coast.
Your hike continues on dirt roads (also called “hunting”) to Saint-Marcouf, where you can discover the restored 13th century church, the crypt and the fountain and its miraculous waters. Offshore, the islands of the same name are today an ornithological reserve for Île de Terre and a military fort currently being restored for Île du Large.
Leave the road to follow the path leading you to the Crisbecq battery. Cross Dangueville to reach Fontenay-sur-Mer, the end of your stage of the day.