Barbery: Abbey, Church Art and the Cinglais Forest

Barbery brings together the history of a former Cistercian abbey, church art, historic brickmaking and a location on the edge of the Cinglais Forest. For travelers looking to include cultural history and hiking in their stay, several distinct themes take center stage: the surviving parts of the abbey, notable details in two churches and traces of the brickmaking craft. A hike leads toward the abbey and on into the forest.

The Former Notre-Dame de Barbery Abbey

The former Cistercian abbey of Notre-Dame de Barbery was founded in 1177; its abbey church was consecrated in 1246. The foundation and consecration are two distinct historical milestones. Part of the façade and some buildings remain from the former complex. The Abbaye de Barbery is privately owned and can be seen from the public road. The abbey’s long history and the visible remains of the complex thus stand side by side, with its private ownership an important point to bear in mind when visiting.

Church Art and Architectural History

In Barbery’s Saint-Pierre Church, a statue of the “Vierge à l'Enfant” stands on the south wall of the choir. It very likely came from the choir of Barbery Abbey and is dated to the first half of the 18th century. The church itself also offers a specific point of reference for its architectural history: only the decorated portal of the nave is original, while the church was remodeled over the centuries. The statue and portal thus draw attention to different aspects of the church’s heritage: a work of art likely originating from the abbey and a single surviving original architectural feature.

Another architectural history belongs to Saint-Martin Church in Mesnil-Touffray (Barbery). After being partially destroyed in the 18th century, it was remodeled. Its structural framework is made of stone from Quilly. In comparison with Saint-Pierre, different details take center stage here: the remodeling after its destruction and the material used for the framework. Visitors interested in churches and architecture can therefore find two different ways to explore the history of local buildings.

Barbery’s Brickmaking Craft

Barbery’s medieval and early modern tuileries, or brickworks, operated from the 14th to the 18th century. Roof tiles from Barbery were often used on roofs in Caen. They were purchased for Caen Castle in the 15th century, and purchases were also made for Falaise Castle. The history of the brickworks thus links local production with specific buildings in both towns. It adds to the abbey’s history a craft whose products were used beyond Barbery.

On the Edge of the Cinglais Forest

Barbery lies on the edge of the Cinglais Forest. The “Terre, eau et patrimoine en Cingal” route heads toward the Abbaye de Barbery and then into the Cinglais Forest. It is a hike of about 4.5 hours through the Calvados area, along marked and maintained paths. The approximate duration helps you estimate the time required, but is not an exact, minute-by-minute figure. As trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check the current route and trail conditions before setting out. This provides a concrete way to connect a hike with the abbey and forest when planning, without treating the approximate duration as an exact walking time.

Discover more destinations: Manerbe, Lantheuil, Fervaques, Périers-En-Auge, Grangues, Saint-Pierre-Canivet, Beaumont-En-Auge, Ouilly-Le-Tesson

For the broader travel overview: Calvados.