Saint-Hymer: Priory, Washhouses and Walking Trails

Saint-Hymer offers cultural and scenic highlights: the history of the former priory, two washhouses with distinct characters, and an easy circular walking route. For your stay, you can decide whether to focus more on church and architectural history, local everyday architecture, or a trail through a wooded valley.

Church and Former Priory

The priory church of Saint-Hymer is listed as a historic monument. A Benedictine abbey was founded in Saint-Hymer in the 11th century; it remained active until the end of the 17th century. In the early 18th century, the priory and abbey were rebuilt and described as a “little Norman Port-Royal.” The time between the end of the active abbey and its reconstruction makes the different phases easy to distinguish.

The church of the former priory dates from the 14th century, and its bell tower from the 16th century. The former priory also includes a press dating from the late 17th century. The church, tower and press each have their own distinct date, so the complex’s building history cannot be reduced to a single century.

Two Washhouses with Distinct Characters

In the centre of Saint-Hymer is a three-sided, covered washhouse, restored in 2008. You can reach it on foot, by bicycle or by car; parking is available nearby. Its design, central location and accessibility give this washhouse a different character from the town’s other named washhouse.

The Fontaine Magard washhouse in Saint-Hymer was restored in 2015 and is considered one of the area’s most unusual washhouses. It lies along a walking trail in a peaceful natural setting and can be reached on foot, by bicycle or by car. The two washhouses are easy to distinguish by their described features: the washhouse in the town centre stands out for its covered design and nearby parking, while Fontaine Magard is distinguished by its walking trail and natural surroundings.

Walking in Saint-Hymer

“Sur les traces de Pascal” is an easy 8.0 km circular walking route in Saint-Hymer. It starts in a green, wooded valley and follows the GR through the Bois de Gassard. When choosing an outing, you can take into account the route’s length and difficulty as well as its described landscape. The distance and the easy rating answer different planning questions: How long is the route, and how is its difficulty rated?

Saint-Hymer is also the starting point for one of the ten walking trails in the Pays d’Auge that are open and accessible year-round. This puts the specific information about the Pascal loop in context with the region’s wider range of walking routes.

Church Opening Hours

The church of Saint-Hymer is open to the public on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you are planning a visit to the church, take these opening hours into account and check them before travelling, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Le Faulq, Le Mesnil-Benoist, Les Authieux-Sur-Calonne, Beaumont-En-Auge, Pierrefitte-en-Cinglais, Notre-Dame-De-Livaye, Juaye-Mondaye, Cardonville.

View the wider travel guide: Calvados.