Saint-Vaast-En-Auge
Accommodation in Saint-Vaast-En-Auge
Saint-Vaast-en-Auge combines the rural bocage landscape with hiking trails and several specific sites commemorating D-Day. The fields around the village are bordered by hedgerows typical of the Norman landscape. Cows and horses are also characteristic animals of the area. Houlgate Beach is about ten minutes from Saint-Vaast-en-Auge.
Landscape and Hiking Routes
A 15.7-kilometre circular hike starting in Villers-sur-Mer is called “From Villers-sur-Mer to Saint-Vaast-en-Auge.” It is listed as a moderately difficult hike lasting four hours. The route follows the Saint-Vaast stream and passes through the Bois de Saint-Vaast-en-Auge. The distance, difficulty level, and estimated time provide different points of reference for planning; the stream and forest also identify specific sections of the route.
Saint-Ortaire Church and Local History
Saint-Ortaire Church dates from the 13th century. A historical description from 2007 characterizes it as a very pure example of 13th-century Gothic architecture. Its baptismal font dates from the 15th century and is listed as an object among the Monuments historiques. This makes it possible to distinguish the dating of the building from the designation of a single furnishing. There is also a double washhouse near the church.
Commemoration of D-Day
On June 6, 1944, a Horsa glider crashed in Saint-Vaast-en-Auge, killing both pilots. A memorial in the former town hall commemorates twelve English and Canadian paratroopers who died in Saint-Vaast on the night of June 6, 1944. The dates refer to two distinct historical events: the crash is dated June 6, 1944, while the paratroopers died on the night of June 6. Thus, the memorial refers to the night preceding the day of commemoration, whereas the crash occurred on June 6 itself. The memorial in the former town hall commemorates a different group from the glider’s two pilots.
There are twelve Commonwealth graves from the 1939–1945 war in the churchyard. Original grave markers for soldiers buried there who were killed on D-Day are also located in the churchyard. Signalman Douglas Davis is buried there as well. For orientation: the churchyard is in the village, next to a railway crossing; the Commonwealth war graves are in the lower-right corner of the churchyard. The period 1939–1945 places the Commonwealth graves in the context of a multi-year war; the original grave markers specifically connect the churchyard with soldiers killed on D-Day. These references therefore represent different timeframes for understanding the churchyard’s history: a multi-year period of war and a specific connection to D-Day.
Discover more destinations: Genneville, Martragny, Bonneville-Sur-Touques, Cairon, Saint-Germain-La-Blanche-Herbe, Cardonville, Campandré-Valcongrain, Colleville-Sur-Mer.
For the regional travel overview: Calvados.
