Discover Hotot-En-Auge

Hotot-en-Auge brings together two distinct travel interests: a landscape shaped by the Dives marshes and a precisely dated architectural and cultural heritage.

The Dives Marshes and Walking Trail

The Dives marshes shape most of the landscape around Hotot-en-Auge. These flood-prone marshlands consist of small islands whose number varies with the weather. The marshes are classified as a Natural Zone of Ecological, Faunal and Floristic Interest (ZNIEFF). The classification and the changing number of islands describe two different aspects of this natural area: its designation as a special natural area and its weather-dependent landscape.

The “Hotot-en-Auge, par vents et marais, sur la Route du Cidre” walking trail is 6.4 km long and follows the Route du Cidre. It offers panoramic views of the Dives marshes, giving the landscape a specific point of reference for a walk. A route description updated on December 23, 2024, rates the trail as easy and gives a duration of two hours. If you plan your day around this information, check the route details in advance.

Manor Houses and Archaeological Heritage

The Manoir de la Chapelle dates from the 17th century and is protected in its entirety, with the exception of its tower, which was added later. The Manoir de Langle, also known as “Le Vieux Manoir,” is protected together with its two outbuildings and covered well. At the Manoir dit Le Lieu Calice, protection covers the façades and roofs, the ground-floor salon, and the bedroom on the first floor, including their furnishings.

The protected areas therefore range from parts of buildings to specific interiors, outbuildings and a well. The archaeological site of the maison forte du Ham offers a different way to explore the built heritage. It is protected in its entirety, including the ground, subsoil and ditches. The manor houses and the archaeological site thus differ not only in name, but also in which parts are explicitly included in the protected area.

Saint-Georges Church and Its Objects

Saint-Georges Church has a Romanesque choir dating from the 16th century and a Renaissance bell tower from 1534. Its sacristy contains a 14th-century high relief depicting a fortress. The church also houses a chalice from the third quarter of the 18th century. The different dates help distinguish the architectural features from the individual works of art: the relief is the oldest of the objects mentioned, while the chalice dates from a considerably later period.

Rabbit Breeding and a Pottery Studio

The history of the Hotot white rabbit is also a local point of interest: the breed was developed in 1902 and recognized in 1922. The two years mark different steps—breeding and recognition—and should not be read as the same date. You can see the Hotot white rabbit in the Roncheville orchard. If you are planning a visit specifically to see the animals, check in advance whether they are currently on view.

The pottery studio of Gérard Paturel is also located in Hotot-en-Auge. If you would like to include it as a stop on your trip, it is a good idea to check opening times in advance. Alongside the marshland, walking and architectural history, you can also explore two other clearly defined topics: the history of a rabbit breed and the ceramics of a local artist.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Julien-De-Mailloc, Villers-Sur-Mer, Saint-Germain-De-Montgommery, Fourneville, Basly, Biéville-Beuville, Lasson, Manvieux.

For the broader travel overview: Calvados.