Pierres: Church Art, History and Brasserie Valdal

Pierres brings together archaeological finds, the history of medieval lordship and remarkable objects in the Church of Saint-Pierre. Brasserie Valdal offers a different side of the area, with brewery tours and tastings. This gives you a chance to explore the place through a range of themes: its historical traces span finds from the Gallo-Roman period to the early modern era, while the brewery offers its own distinct, food-and-drink-focused experience.

Archaeological Finds and the History of the Fief

Numerous polished and worked stones were discovered in the Pierres area in the 1960s. Gallo-Roman pottery, roof tiles and terra sigillata pottery were also found in Pierres. The finds therefore range from worked stones to pottery and roof tiles.

The medieval history shifts the focus. In 1204, Hascoldus de Soligny, an ally of the English during the incorporation of the Duchy of Normandy into the Kingdom of France, was dispossessed by the Crown of his fief in Pierres. The lordship of Pierres became a royal farm, known as a “fief-ferme.” In 1210, the fief so designated was granted to Richard de Rouvencestre.

The later history of the estate can also be placed in context: several generations succeeded one another at its head until 1784. That year, Charlotte de Banville, Lady of Pierres and wife of Louis Cyprien Aimé de Corday d’Arclais, died. Together, the events of 1204, the grant of 1210 and the turning point of 1784 mark different stages in the history of the lordship; the names and dates provide specific points of reference for this development.

Objects in the Church of Saint-Pierre

The tombstone of Georges de Banville, who died in 1697, is in the choir of the Church of Saint-Pierre. Two angels support the slab. The church also houses a chalice and a paten; both were listed as protected objects on 6 September 1984. The rustic Norman sacristy cabinet is also a protected object in Saint-Pierre.

The objects offer different points of interest: the tombstone links a name and year of death with a sculptural description, while the chalice and paten have a precisely dated protected-object listing. The sacristy cabinet is notable for its rustic Norman style. For those interested in art and church history, Pierres offers several specific topics to explore, rather than just a single historical trace.

Brewery Tour and Tasting

Brasserie Valdal is located in the Bocage Virois in Valdallière, at La Ferrière, 20 route du vieux Theil, in Pierres, 14410 Valdallière. The brewery makes craft beers using local and organic ingredients. On a brewery tour, you can taste beers on tap and other local drinks. These include homemade lemonade, cider, apple juice from Vassy and herbal teas from the Bocage.

The brewery tour and tasting are offered free of charge. As access arrangements may change, it is advisable to arrange your visit in advance. This makes it easy to distinguish this attraction from the historical themes: on one side are archaeological finds, the history of the fief and church objects; on the other is a brewery tour with a selection of drinks.

Discover more destinations: Dozulé, Creully, Troarn, Notre-Dame-De-Courson, Villers-Sur-Mer, Bretteville-Sur-Odon, Pertheville-Ners, Martragny.

Go to the overview of the wider travel region: Calvados.