Discover Magneville

When planning a trip to Magneville, the L'étang de la Lande circular trail and the Église Notre-Dame are the main highlights. Other points of interest include a medieval landmark and a memorial site dedicated to the Second World War.

Hiking the L'étang de la Lande circular trail

The L'étang de la Lande circular trail is an easy 10.4-kilometre hike, suitable for beginners too. The walking time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. You can allow around 2 hours and 45 minutes of walking time for the 10.4-kilometre loop. Treat this as a guide and check trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

Église Notre-Dame: choir, baptismal fonts and bell tower

The choir of the Église Notre-Dame de Magneville has a flat east end and consists of two bays with rib vaults. It is one of the most remarkable examples of Romanesque architecture in the Clos du Cotentin. A bay is a section of a space: here, the term describes the choir’s layout, while the flat east end describes its shape. This makes the architectural distinction tangible through its specific form and layout.

The church’s baptismal fonts also mark a distinct period. Made of polychrome limestone, they are protected as heritage objects, date from the 12th century, and were restored in 2021. A Latin inscription dates the construction of the bell tower to 1481. The two dates refer to different parts: the 12th century applies to the fonts, while 1481 marks the construction of the bell tower. This makes it possible to distinguish the dates of the furnishings and the building’s history.

Manor house and remembrance of 1944

The Manoir de Magneville adds a different historical perspective to the church architecture: here, the focus is on an event. The manor house was attacked in 1364 during a siege led by Bertran Duguesclin. This connection broadens Magneville’s historical themes to include a specific 14th-century military conflict.

The Mémorial 1944 de Magneville commemorates paratroopers of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, as well as the crew of a B-26 Marauder bomber of the 9th US Air Force. Their aircraft crashed within the commune of Magneville on 5 and 10 June 1944. The memorial is listed as a named point of interest on the L'étang de la Lande circular trail. If you plan to visit, check for current information on the memorial’s condition beforehand. The two crash dates mentioned are only five days apart.

Consider whether you would like to make the hiking day or the historical sites the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations

Saint-Clément-Rancoudray, Varouville, Le Mesnil-Garnier, Le Valdécie, Saint-Pierre-D'arthéglise, Le Vast, Montsurvent, Saint-Germain-Sur-Ay

For the main travel overview: Manche.