Vergoncey: Local History, Pilgrimage Route and Cycling Route

Local cultural heritage ranges from a 15th-century chapel to a statue dating from around the turn of the 18th to the 19th century. There are also two different links to Mont-Saint-Michel: a pilgrimage route and a historical event from 1434. This gives you both cultural and active themes to help plan your stay.

Cultural history at Boucéel and the Fontaine Saint-Clair

The Château de Boucéel in Vergoncey is listed as a Monument historique in part. The Boucéel chapel was built in the 15th century. The statue of Saint Clair is located at the Fontaine Saint-Clair in Vergoncey; it dates from around the turn of the 18th to the 19th century.

These details represent different aspects of local history: the listing applies only to part of the château, the chapel is dated by its construction period, and the statue by its location and date. For a cultural trip, this offers a way to compare protected status, architectural history and a single object at the Fontaine Saint-Clair. The time span runs from the 15th-century chapel to the statue dating from around the turn of the 18th to the 19th century.

Pilgrimage route and local history

The “Le Grand Chemin Montois” pilgrimage route runs from Tours to Mont-Saint-Michel and passes through Vergoncey. Local history also points to this destination: in 1434, the lords of the Pigace family from Vergoncey were among the defenders of Mont-Saint-Michel. The route and the historical event therefore lead to the same destination in different ways: one via the route from Tours through Vergoncey, the other through the historical role of the lords of the Pigace family in 1434. If you are interested in Mont-Saint-Michel, you can distinguish between the pilgrimage route and the history of its defense.

Cycling route with named endpoints

An official cycling guide from 2021 describes a route that starts at the Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët tourist information office and ends at the Pontorson tourist information office. From the Domaine de Boucéel, the route continues to Vergoncey. Unlike the pilgrimage route, the named endpoints here are Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët and Pontorson; the route also runs from the Domaine de Boucéel to Vergoncey. If you plan to cycle the route, check local route conditions.

Walks and kayaking in the bay

Escale en Baie is located at Le Fief Gérault in Vergoncey. The provider welcomes visitors year-round for walks and kayaking in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel; times depend on the tides. These excursions therefore differ from the cycling route and pilgrimage route: for trips in the bay, the tides are the key factor in planning when to go.

Check the times for your chosen activity in advance. You should also check Escale en Baie’s address before visiting, as address details can change.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Martin-Des-Champs, Sainte-Geneviève, Courtils, Dragey-Ronthon, Morigny, Le Mesnil, La Lucerne-D'outremer, La Feuillie

Return to the regional travel overview: Manche.