Of course, its feudal castle, classified as a Historic Monument in the first list initiated by Prosper Mérimée in 1840, ensures its reputation, but Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte has many other attractions to discover. This town, made up of vast expanses of marshes, a large forest area and hilly sites, is one of those small towns in the countryside which is increasingly attracting visitors.
I tried to do Shakespeare in a ditch in Cotentin
A preserved castle and forest
Initially composed of earth and wood, the first castle gave way to a fortified enclosure from the 12th century rehabilitated in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The building, besieged twice, is one of the most evocative French heritage monuments of the Hundred Years' War. The old castle, the square keep and the surviving towers look great and impress when discovered. Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, now recognized as a Green Station, is home to the largest national forest on the Cotentin peninsula.
In the 2th century, 000 hectares stretched across the horizon of the castle, ten times more than today, but intensive forestry exploitation got the better of nature. The public purchase of the remaining 233 hectares fortunately made it possible to preserve part of the forest, crisscrossed by numerous streams.
Highly romantic
Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte and its abbey have had a turbulent history. After the Revolution, the abbey church was transformed into a stone quarry. She owes her resurrection to Saint Marie-Madeleine Postel and her congregation. The nuns devoted themselves to the restoration of the building from 1832.
Highly romantic in its history, this small town is also the birthplace of one of the greatest French authors, Jules Amédée Barbey d'Aurevilly. The writer was a lover of moors, marshes and the sea. Carteret serves as the setting for the lovers of Une Vieille Mistress. With L'Ensorcelée, we get lost in the Lessay moor. The novel What Does Not Die immerses the reader in the disturbing and supernatural atmosphere of the marshes. Some of his works have been adapted for cinema or television.
The family home, today a museum, pays homage to this novelist, contemporary of Victor Hugo and great friend of Baudelaire, short story writer, poet, literary critic, journalist, polemicist and dandy, who died at the age of 80 after a long life worthy of a novel character!
For lovers of water activities
The leisure center offers multiple outdoor activities in a 100% natural environment. Two-seater canoe or single-seater kayak by the hour, half-day or full day, archery, climbing, mountain biking and orienteering.
The Voie Verte from Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte to The Hague. A 15 kilometer long tree-lined route to do in relaxation or sporty mode.
Forest Adventure and its 9 courses decorated with nets, bridges, footbridges, zip lines... await young and old.
Booking is recommended.