Neuville-sur-Touques: River, Church and Walking

Neuville-sur-Touques offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: a named walking route, the Church of Saint-Germain-d'Auxerre and the historic Bove des Chevaliers. If you are looking for a hotel, you can weigh up whether scenery, walking or heritage is the deciding factor in choosing your destination. The local features can be easily considered according to these priorities.

Landscape Between River and Hills

The Touques River runs through Neuville-sur-Touques for its entire length. The commune is a typical, very hilly commune in the Pays d’Auge. The course of the river and the terrain describe two distinct aspects of the landscape: the Touques runs through the area, while the hills shape its character. If the terrain matters to you when choosing a destination, the specific description of the area as very hilly conveys more than a general reference to the landscape. The La Bassière walking route provides an additional planning detail, with information about its length and approximate duration.

The Church of Saint-Germain-d'Auxerre and Its History

The Church of Saint-Germain-d'Auxerre houses an altarpiece, an eagle lectern and a carved corpus of Christ. All three objects are classified as historic monuments. An altarpiece is an altar screen; an eagle lectern is a reading desk in the shape of an eagle. The terms distinguish the furnishings by their form and function, while the corpus of Christ is a carved figure and a separate object in its own right.

The year 1609 is still legible on a stone in the south wall. Unlike the three furnishings, this date refers to a detail of the building itself and adds a specific feature on the wall to the picture of the church. Its historical connection has also been recorded: according to a charter dated to Henry I, Saint-Germain-d'Auxerre was affiliated with Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. The church thus brings together furnishings, a legible date and a historical affiliation.

The Bove des Chevaliers

The Bove des Chevaliers was an underground place of refuge in the heart of the La Jaunière forest. Its layout was symbolically arranged in the shape of a cross and consisted mainly of two rooms: “La Chapelle” and “Les Chevaliers.” The cross-shaped layout describes the site as a whole; the two names distinguish its main chambers. The Bove collapsed in 1952. For the local history, the layout of the former site and the date of its collapse are two important aspects to consider separately.

Walking and Other Local Highlights

The La Bassière walking route begins at the church in Neuville-sur-Touques. The route description, updated on December 23, 2024, gives a distance of 9 km and a duration of about 2 hours and 25 minutes. Distance and time answer different planning questions: the number of kilometres describes the length of the route, while the approximate duration provides additional guidance on how much time to allow. Keep the “about” in mind when planning your schedule, and check the route details again before setting out. The church is the route’s starting point and also features the historical details described above.

At the Warnier workshop, you can see unique pieces shaped or painted by hand. Visitors are asked to make contact in advance. This adds a craft-focused attraction to the landscape, walking and historical sites; if you are interested, contact the workshop beforehand.

Summer community life also includes a country-style communal meal that brings residents together. This tradition adds a community aspect to the area’s landscape and historical attractions.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Alencon, Semallé, Le Pas-Saint-L'homer, L'aigle, Champeaux-Sur-Sarthe, Berd'huis, Banvou, La Chapelle-Montligeon

For the broader travel overview: Orne.