Aubry-le-Panthou: Nature, Hiking and Cultural Heritage

The Coteau des Champs Genêts is a limestone hillside typical of the Pays d’Auge. In Aubry-le-Panthou, nature and biodiversity sit alongside a hiking loop and religious and architectural history. You can choose different focuses when planning your trip: a seasonal visit to the natural hillside, a hike with a specific duration, or an interest in architecture and cultural connections.

Nature at the Coteau des Champs Genêts

The Coteau des Champs Genêts is designated an Espace naturel sensible by the Orne Department and offers views over the valley. Rare species can be found on the limestone hillside: Gentiane croisette, Orchis grenouille, Dompte-venin, Azuré bleu céleste, Petite violette and criquet de Phalène. The list includes plants and insects.

From early April to late September, you can visit the hillside free of charge and without a guide. Check seasonal access information and parking availability before you travel.

Hiking in Aubry-le-Panthou

Le Chemin des Sages is a six-kilometre hiking loop that starts at the church in Aubry-le-Panthou. The route is considered moderately difficult and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The hillside is accessible from the car park at the church; the church is also a useful landmark for finding your way. For the hillside, the key consideration is the seasonal visiting period; for Le Chemin des Sages, it is the combination of distance, difficulty level and duration.

Church and architectural history

The present-day Église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois was built between 1732 and 1736 and consecrated in 1738. Its layout includes a bell-tower portal, a nave and a choir under a shared roof ridge, as well as a sacristy beside the polygonal apse. The nave is the main space of the church, while the choir is the liturgically focused area. The shared roof ridge brings both parts together under one roofline; the polygonal apse forms the multi-sided end of the building.

The retable, or altarpiece, comprises three paintings by Léon Olivié dating from 1862. The construction and consecration dates are part of the church’s history, while the paintings were created more than a century later and represent another period in its furnishings. The former church of Les Moutiers stood beside a priory that was dependent on the Abbey of Saint-Evroult-Notre-Dame-du-Bois.

Château d’Osmond and Vajradhara Ling

The second Château d'Osmond is an imposing building in the Louis-Philippe style, overlooking the valley. Vajradhara Ling, a centre for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism, is located on the Domaine du Château d'Osmont in Aubry-le-Panthou. These are culturally distinct subjects: the château is notable for its architecture and position above the valley, while Vajradhara Ling focuses on the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Rémalard, Montreuil-La-Cambe, Saint-Maurice-Lès-Charencey, Dancé, Fel, Réveillon, Saint-Nicolas-Des-Bois, Crouttes.

For the overview of the wider region, see: Orne.