Poilley – Vieux Pont, Montmorel and Saint-Martin
Accommodation in Poilley
Poilley brings together a landscape shaped by the SĂ©lune and several themes from local cultural history. These include the Vieux Pont, the former Montmorel Abbey and the Church of Saint-Martin. Another point of interest for visitors is the greenway between Poilley and Mont-Saint-Michel. You can plan your stay around your interests: local history and architecture, or a route for outdoor activities.
The SĂ©lune and the Vieux Pont
The Sélune forms a natural boundary along nearly two-thirds of Poilley’s municipal perimeter; numerous meanders shape the landscape around Poilley. The Vieux Pont crosses the river. It was built in 1613, making it a 17th-century structure. The bridge separates Poilley from Ducey and lies partly within Poilley. It was protected as a historic monument by a decree dated 19 August 1975.
The former Montmorel Abbey
The history of the former Montmorel Abbey goes back further than that of the Vieux Pont: Rual du Homme founded it in 1160. The abbot’s residence, the remains of the east wing of the cloister, the leprosarium and the mills have survived from the abbey. The surviving site is privately owned. Parts of the abbey are protected as a classified and registered historic monument; the relevant orders date from 6 February 1980 and 2 July 2007. The foundation and the much later protection orders mark distinct periods in the abbey’s history.
Saint-Martin Church and altarpiece
Saint-Martin Church includes structural elements from the 12th, 16th and 18th centuries. Inside is an altarpiece from Montmorel, dating to the 15th century. On 13 April 1905, the altarpiece was protected as a movable cultural asset. While the church building’s structural elements span several centuries, the altarpiece belongs to a single period. Its origins also connect the church with the former Montmorel Abbey.
Saint-Ortaire and local tradition
Religious traditions also form part of Poilley’s cultural history. According to tradition, Saint-Ortaire was born in 482 in the village of Hermy in Poilley. Local belief holds that the water from the Saint-Ortaire spring has healing properties for ailments that affect the life and function of the limbs. The birth tradition and belief in the spring offer different insights into local religious tradition.
Greenway between Poilley and Mont-Saint-Michel
The greenway between Poilley and Mont-Saint-Michel is 16 kilometres long and is used by cyclists and pedestrians. Unlike the individual historic monuments, the focus here is on a route connecting two places. This reflects different travel interests: the buildings lead visitors through various periods of local history, while the greenway offers a continuous route for outdoor activities.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Floxel, Saint-Aubin-De-Terregatte, Le Mesnil, Coudeville-Sur-Mer, Laulne, CĂ©rences, Saint-Symphorien-Des-Monts, Maupertus-Sur-Mer
See the broader travel guide: Manche.
