Négreville: Local History and the Autour de la Gloire Trail

Négreville lies at the confluence of the Douve and Gloire rivers. The fields around the village are bordered by hedgerows characteristic of the bocage landscape. The village’s history stretches from the château complex and the Church of Saint-Pierre to stone crosses and memorial sites. The “Autour de la Gloire” trail offers a different perspective on the surrounding area.

Landscape and trail

The “Autour de la Gloire” trail is an easy 12.4-kilometre walk, with a stated duration of three hours. Yellow waymarks indicate the route. The trail follows the Gloire, where remnants of former local industries can still be seen. So the walk takes you not only through the landscape but also past visible traces of the area’s industrial history. Check trail conditions before setting out.

The starting point is 300 metres from the “Négreville – Le Bourg” stop on the Cap Cotentin bus network. Négreville is also served by Le Cotentin’s Line G, which connects the village with Valognes. Check current timetables before travelling; these details refer to different transport connections.

Buildings and stone crosses

The Domaine du château de Pont-Rilly in Négreville is an 18th-century château complex, parts of which are protected as a historic monument. The Church of Saint-Pierre was built in the early 17th century and is distinguished by its spacious, light-filled interiors. A cross in the cemetery bears an inscription with the year 1453.

The Croix de l’Hôtel-au-Cauf, also known as the “Croix des Templiers,” is made of local limestone. It is dated approximately to the period between the late 15th century and the mid-16th century. The Croix d’Urville stands at the entrance to the avenue of the Château de Pont-Rilly, along the road from Valognes to Sottevast. The Croix Jacob is located at the junction of the D62 and D146; the cross gave the hamlet its name. The crosses therefore differ both in their locations and in the information passed down about their materials and dates.

A freely accessible information panel in the forecourt of the town hall introduces the commune’s architectural heritage and places of remembrance. It provides an overview alongside the individual buildings and crosses.

Mill and local history

The Moulin de la Ville stands on the Gloire. Visitors are told about its history and how it works. Two waterwheels power three pairs of millstones, used for buckwheat, barley and oats, as well as wheat. The mechanism, made entirely of wooden components, has been listed as a historic monument since 1975. The mill may possibly date back to the 12th century.

The offering also includes a workshop where buckwheat porridge is made in the traditional way. It ends with a tasting. Confirm in advance whether the workshop is available during your visit.

Memorial sites in Négreville and Rouville

The central square has been dedicated to Chris Heisler since 4 June 2007. Every year around 6 June, Négreville holds a commemorative ceremony there for those who fought to liberate France. If you are travelling for the ceremony, check the date for the relevant year.

A panel in the square by the Church of Saint-Pierre explains the crash of the Douglas C-47 Skytrain in the hamlet of Rouville near Négreville. In Rouville, the 82nd US Airborne Division Monument commemorates American paratroopers whose aircraft crashed there on the night of 5–6 June 1944. From Négreville, take the D62 towards Sottevast. Take the first turn left, passing under the railway line, then follow the signs to the hamlet of Rouville. Check the signs on site.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Geneviève, Saint-Symphorien-Des-Monts, Saint-Jores, Saint-Jean-De-Daye, Urville-Nacqueville, Fervaches, Surville, Margueray.

For the main travel overview: Manche.