A group of people watching a blacksmith working on metalA group of people are watching a blacksmith working on metal in a traditional workshop. The workshop is filled with tools and forging equipment. The blacksmith is using a hammer on a piece of metal placed on an anvil. The visitors appear captivated by the demonstration.
©Discovering a craftsmanship during a guided tour.|Sabina Lorkin anibasphotography
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Villedieu-les-Poêles

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Villedieu-les-Poêles, discovering the skills of yesteryear

Villedieu-les-Poêles has been known for centuries for its copper and lace work. Its fame, the city also owes it to its bell foundry, some of its creations adorning, for example, Notre-Dame-de-Paris. For all that, we cannot limit ourselves to its craftsmanship to define the assets of this city. Villedieu-les-Poêles is also a green setting, crossed by the Sienne, where it is good to stroll, rest, return to the time of the washerwomen. Visiting or staying in Villedieu-les-Poêles, is finally alternating between pages of history and moments of relaxation.

A peaceful river with colorful flowers on the sideA peaceful river flows through an urban landscape, with stone walls and colorful flowers on the side. The sky is partly cloudy, and the river water is agitated by rocks.
©A peaceful river flows through an urban landscape, bordered by colorful flowers.|Sabrina Lorkin anibasphotography
A couple sitting by a canal in a picturesque villageA couple is sitting by a canal in a picturesque village. Stone houses and slate roofs are reflected in the calm water. Green trees and bushes surround the scene, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
©A couple enjoys the tranquility of a canal in a picturesque village.|Sabina Lorkin anibasphotography
View of a cobblestone street leading to a church with a distinctive domeA narrow cobblestone street flanked by stone buildings on either side. In the distance, a church with a distinctive dome rises above the rooftops. Sunlight filters through the buildings, casting a warm glow on the scene. Street lamps and road signs are visible along the street.
©A picturesque cobblestone street leading to a historic church.|Ot Villedieu les poêles
Gothic clock tower with a copper finial in the foregroundA Gothic clock tower made of stone with intricate architectural details. A copper finial with sculpted patterns is visible in the foreground. The sky is cloudy, creating a subdued atmosphere. The tower features typical elements of Gothic architecture, such as pointed arches and detailed sculptures.
©The Gothic clock tower stands majestically with its gleaming copper finial.|Sabina Lorkin anibasphotography
Cobblestone street lined with stone buildings, stairs, and plantsA cobblestone street lined with stone buildings, featuring stairs leading to entrances and potted plants. A red flag with a white cross is visible on a balcony. The sky is partly cloudy.
©A picturesque cobblestone street with stone buildings and stairs leading to entrances.|Ot Villedieu les poêles
    Two people visiting a bell museum with bells of different sizes on displayTwo people are walking in a bell museum, surrounded by bells of various sizes and shapes. The buildings in the background are made of stone and brick, with a clock visible on one of the walls. The visitors are examining a large central bell, while smaller bells are arranged around them.
    ©Visitors explore the various bells on display in the museum.|Sabina Lorkin anibasphotography

      The bell foundry, we’re hammered about it!

      If the current foundry – Cornille Havard – dates from 1865, the History uniting art campanaire and Villedieu-les-Poêles is much older. Already in the XVIth century, the town was home to founders. The Havard family, including illustrious members such as Paul or Adolphe, and the Cornille family, including Léon and Marguerite, have perpetuated this ancestral know-how that is a must-see. To do so, head to the foundry, which offers guided tours of the workshop where old-time techniques and modern technologies are subtly mixed. To conclude this visit in beauty, what better than a stop in the boutique where you will discover bells, brassware, souvenirs and local products. In a word, IN-MAN-QUA-BLE!

      Did you know – What are the names of the inhabitants of Villedieu-les-Poêles?

      The Sourdin(e)s or Theopolitans. While the two gentiles seem unrelated, they both refer to particular aspects of the city. “Sourdin” refers to the copper work (dinandry, piping) which, through repetitive hammering, contributed to deafening the craftsmen. “Theopolitan,” meanwhile, refers to the name of the city itself, Ville-dieu, the city of God, which is said in Greek Theopolis. Still, favor the first name.

      On the banks of the Siena, dive into the History of the laundries and the washerwomen!

      The history of the city is also that of the river that runs through it, the Sienne. The most beautiful vestiges of this not-so-distant era remain the washhouses that can be seen here and there along the water. As a reminder, they were used, as their name suggests, to wash clothes in a period when hygiene was becoming a national priority. The washing tub, public or private, was then the place of a very precise ceremonial where the laundry was successively soaped, brushed and then beaten by the washerwomen getting down to this exhausting work. Between heritagenatural and heritagematerial, these places full of history cannot wait any longer for your visit.

      A couple sitting by a canal in a picturesque villageA couple is sitting by a canal in a picturesque village. Stone houses and slate roofs are reflected in the calm water. Green trees and bushes surround the scene, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
      ©A couple enjoys the tranquility of a canal in a picturesque village.|Sabina Lorkin anibasphotography
        Village with a church and old houses near a canalView of a picturesque village with a grand church in the background. Old houses line a peaceful canal, reflecting the buildings and trees. Potted flowers add a splash of color to the scene.
        ©A charming village with a grand church and old houses lining a peaceful canal.|Ot Villedieu les poêles
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          ©Flags of different countries proudly waving in the wind.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
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          ©A sunny day at the beach, between fine sand and turquoise waters.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
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          ©A white boat is securely moored to a stone dock with a sturdy rope.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
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          ©Cows graze peacefully near a lighthouse on a deserted beach.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
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          ©A peaceful walk along a canal lined with greenery.|Maxime Coquard Pour Best Jobers Latitude Manche
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          ©The winding road leads to the impressive Mont Saint-Michel, an iconic historical and architectural site.|Fab Lentz
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