Estry: Yew Tree and History

When looking for a hotel in Estry, it is worth exploring the themes that shape the area: an exceptionally old yew tree, memorial sites relating to the Second World War, and traces of the area’s earlier history. These highlights give a stay a clear cultural focus. They range from the natural and wartime history of the yew to the liberation in August 1944 and a school founded in 1755. The “Itinéraire du souvenir” also passes through Estry, placing the area within a broader regional context of remembrance.

The thousand-year-old yew

The thousand-year-old yew stands in the middle of Estry’s cemetery. Its age is estimated at between 1,000 and 1,600 years; it is also described as one of the oldest trees in France. The age estimate gives a range, while this description places the tree in a nationwide comparison. Explanatory panels are displayed on the cemetery wall near the yew. The yew miraculously survived the attacks during the liberation bombings, while the church just three metres away was badly damaged. This place therefore brings together natural heritage and remembrance of the Second World War.

Estry in August 1944

Estry was liberated on 15 August 1944 after twelve days of fierce fighting. During the Second World War, 80 percent of the commune’s houses were destroyed. These two facts shed light on different aspects of the same local history: the duration and intensity of the fighting on the one hand, and its far-reaching impact on the housing stock on the other. A stele commemorates the King’s Scottish Borderers as Estry’s liberators in August 1944.

Memorial route and earlier local history

The “Itinéraire du souvenir” runs from Rully to Saint Charles de Percy, passing through Chênedollé and Estry. Its aim is to follow in the footsteps of the men who liberated Calvados and the communes of Valdallière. The route thus extends beyond Estry: it draws attention to Calvados and the communes of Valdallière, while the yew and the stele mark specific sites of remembrance in Estry.

In feudal times, the area of Estry was divided into five main fiefs. Another glimpse into local history dates back to 1755: Jacques Olivier, a local resident, made a fortune in Versailles and paid an annuity to establish a public school in Estry. Children learned to read and write there. Unlike the history of war and commemoration, this story is about education and support from a local resident. The themes thus span the feudal period, the founding of the school, and liberation during the Second World War.

Exhibitions about the yew

The Association des Amis de l’If holds an annual exhibition about yew wood and its various uses; dates have not yet been set. If you would like to include this event in your travel plans, check the dates in advance. At Christmas, the Association presents a nativity scene exhibition inside the yew’s trunk. The two formats have different focuses: the exhibition about the wood explores its material and uses, while the Christmas display features a nativity scene inside the tree trunk. Both events thus connect with the same yew without focusing on the same aspect.

Discover more destinations: L'Oudon, Tessel, Hermanville-Sur-Mer, Tilly-Sur-Seulles, Formigny, Espins, Maisons, Roucamps

For the overview of the wider travel area: Calvados.