Margueray: Landscape, River and Cultural Heritage

When looking for a hotel in Margueray, you can use the landscape, its connection to the river and its history as distinct points of reference. The Tancray rises in Margueray; the town is also part of the continental ZNIEFF type 2 “Bassin de la Sienne”. The Protestant site of Le Chêne Guérin and the church of Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Gorgon add specific historical and art-historical connections to these themes.

Landscape and protected area

An INPN record dated June 11, 2024, describes the ZNIEFF type 2 “Bassin de la Sienne”, of which Margueray is part, as having narrow river valleys, wooded slopes and a bocage landscape with a dense network of hedgerows and small plots. These landscape details relate to the wider Bassin area. Under the 1930 law, the ZNIEFF is designated both as a site inscrit and as a site classé.

The Tancray and fishing

The Tancray rises in Margueray. The 2021 management plan of the AAPPMA La Sienne includes its entire course in the waters managed by the organization. The INPN record dated June 11, 2024, also lists fishing as one of the human activities in the ZNIEFF type 2 Bassin de la Sienne. These two references concern different scales: the river course within the managed waters and the mention of fishing in the wider natural area. If you plan to fish, check the current fishing regulations separately.

Protestant history

Le Chêne Guérin is a Protestant site on the boundary between the communes of Le Chefresne, Margueray, Montabot and Gouvets. A cemetery was established there in 1612; in 1679, the Protestant temple was destroyed during the persecution. The two dates mark distinct historical milestones at the same site: first the establishment of the cemetery, followed by the destruction of the temple. For a trip focused on cultural history, this chronology offers a concise introduction to the area’s Protestant history.

Church and artworks

The church of Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Gorgon is dedicated to Notre-Dame and Saint Gorgon. Saint Gorgon was a Roman martyr of the 4th century. The high altar dates from 1712. Eight stained-glass windows by Gabriel Loire have illuminated the church since 1951. It also has a 17th-century granite baptismal font with a flat cover.

The church also houses a statue of the Vierge à l’Enfant with its false niche. The statue dates from the early 19th century, while the false niche dates from the 18th century. Since August 24, 1990, the statue and its false niche have been listed as protected movable objects. This offers a chronological comparison between two specific events from the 17th century and the church’s furnishings, whose dates range from the 17th century to 1951.

Getting your bearings

The D975 departmental road runs through Margueray. If you are locating the town on a map, the road number provides a specific reference point.

Discover more destinations: Courtils, Le Ham, Bricqueville-Sur-Mer, Beuzeville-La-Bastille, Argouges, Barfleur, Précey, Saint-Joseph.

For the broader travel overview: Manche.