Les Veys – Heritage on the Baie des Veys

Les Veys is a picturesque village on the Baie des Veys. Historic landmarks include the Manoir de Cantepie and a testament to coastal defence, as well as churches, a chapel and a tomb. The signposted Chemin du Vey Mourant and the wider natural area add to these themes. When planning your trip, you can choose different focal points, from architectural history and religious art to a walk and the landscape.

Historic buildings and art

The main construction phases of the Manoir de Cantepie date from the 16th and 17th centuries. It has been partially listed as a historic monument since 26 August 1988. The protected features include the façades and roofs of the residence, the two fully preserved stair towers, two 17th-century fireplaces, the façades and roofs of the outbuildings, and the remains of the entrance tower. The listing thus applies to specific parts of the estate, from the residence to the outbuildings and entrance tower.

The Ancien corps de garde offers a different historical focus: it is a testament to coastal defence in the Cotentin during the Ancien Régime. The building has been listed as a historic monument since 14 September 1992; the property is privately owned.

The Église Saint-Martin de Beuzeville in Les Veys dates from the 12th to the 18th century. Fishbone masonry on its exterior walls points to the original structure. The church also contains the sculpture group “Saint Christophe portant l'Enfant.” It dates from around the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries and was discovered behind the main altar in 1929. The masonry and sculpture group highlight different aspects: the church’s early structure and a work of religious art.

The Chapelle Saint-Guingalois, a former church of Auville-sur-le-Vey dating from the 14th to the 16th century, is located at La Blanche. Another stone monument is the tomb of Antoine-Charles Touzard in the Beuzeville cemetery, which formerly belonged to the commune of Les Veys. The tomb is shaped like a curved sarcophagus with an eight-sided sloping roof, rests on two plinths and is made of dressed and engraved Caen limestone. Its form and stonework offer a different perspective on local architectural and commemorative history from the churches and their artworks.

Landscape, route and infrastructure

The Cotentin and Bessin Marshes and the Baie des Veys are part of the Natura 2000 network because of their rich natural heritage. This includes vegetation, birds, migratory fish and seals. This regional perspective complements architectural history with habitats and nature-related themes.

The signposted Chemin du Vey Mourant is 11 km long, with a stated duration of 2 hours and 45 minutes. This gives you a clearly defined block of time for planning your trip. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

The Pont du Vey is a lock bridge over the Vire with seven floodgates. Alongside historic buildings, Les Veys also showcases a distinctive feature of water infrastructure and the landscape of the Baie des Veys.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Couvains, Montmartin-Sur-Mer, Saint-Georges-De-La-Rivière, Beaubigny, Placy-Montaigu, Hérenguerville, Saint-Pierre-Eglise, Morigny.

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