Discover Curcy-Sur-Orne

Curcy-sur-Orne is part of Suisse Normande. The town brings together evidence from widely separated periods: traces of prehistoric settlement sit alongside castle remains, châteaux and religious buildings from later centuries. Les Hauts de Curcy adds a 17-kilometre hiking trail around Curcy-sur-Orne. This gives you different options when planning your trip: explore the town’s history through its buildings and finds, or plan a hike of a set length.

The feudal motte and its castle complex

The feudal motte is the remains of a fortified castle and was the seat of the fief of Curcy. It lies east of the church beside the cemetery; the site is in its natural state. Its oval shape and two enclosures at the top give an impression of its layout. The outer bailey lay east of the keep. Several features therefore come together: the oval shape describes the outline, the enclosures the layout at the top, and the positions of the outer bailey and keep the relationship between individual parts. For travellers interested in history, the motte combines tangible archaeological features with the local history of the fief.

From prehistoric finds to the châteaux

The town’s history stretches far back in time. Settlement at Curcy-sur-Orne dates back to the Palaeolithic; numerous prehistoric tools were found in the area overlooking the Orne Valley. These early finds provide a different kind of evidence from the later châteaux: in one case, tools; in the other, construction dates and building elements. The Château du Bas-Martinbosq dates from the 17th century. The Château de Cropton has building elements from the 17th and 19th centuries. The comparison highlights the difference in their dating: Bas-Martinbosq dates to the 17th century, while Cropton represents two building periods.

Chapel, church and historical use

The Chapelle de la Métairie is a 19th-century chapel at a crossroads. It replaced a stone cross called the “croix de la métairie,” which has since disappeared. Above the entrance to the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste hangs a 17th-century statue of the Virgin and Child. For the chapel, its location by the road and the form of its predecessor provide context; at the church, it is a single work of art and its position above the entrance.

A substantial farm that once belonged to the Château de Martinbosq served as a German hospital during the Second World War. This brings historical use into focus alongside construction dates: the farm can be understood through its former affiliation and its role during the war.

Hiking around Curcy-sur-Orne

Les Hauts de Curcy is a 17-kilometre hiking trail around Curcy-sur-Orne. Its length gives you a concrete planning figure if you want to include a hike in your trip. Check the latest conditions before setting out. This allows you to factor the route into your plans and explore the town’s historical sites as a different focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Le Mesnil-Benoist, Le Faulq, Sainte-Croix-Grand-Tonne, Tracy-Bocage, Cahagnolles, Le Mesnil-Sur-Blangy, Barneville-la-Bertran, Saint-Julien-le-Faucon

For the broader travel overview: Calvados.