Maniquerville: Church, Museum and Medieval Traces

Maniquerville combines a long history with several different points of interest for a stay: the Church of Saint-Martin, a medieval motte, an agricultural museum and outdoor activities. A stay here can therefore include historic architectural and landscape features, as well as an agricultural collection and outdoor pursuits. If you are looking for a hotel in Maniquerville, these themes can help you plan your visit. Consider whether you would like to focus on architectural history, a rural collection or outdoor activities during your stay.

History in Buildings and Landscape

Maniquerville was founded in 57 BC at the crossroads of Roman military roads under the name “Menettïï-villa”. This early history represents a different period from the later-dated parts of the Church of Saint-Martin. Its gable dates from the 11th century, the nave was extended in the 16th century, and the choir dates from the 18th century. The nave is the elongated main part of a church; the choir is the liturgical area around the altar. These dates can thus be associated with specific parts, rather than viewing the church as a building from a single period.

Behind the cemetery, a feudal motte belonging to the former medieval Château des Thiboutot has been preserved. A motte is a fortified mound of earth; in Maniquerville, this landscape feature points to the former castle. Unlike Saint-Martin, whose individual architectural parts date from different centuries, the focus here is on the surviving trace of a medieval castle complex.

Agriculture and Outdoor Activities

The “L’Agriculture au Fil du Temps” museum displays more than 1,200 tools and machines in an authentic farmhouse. The collection includes exhibits on apples, flax, livestock farming, sugar beet, rapeseed, wheat, woodland and forestry, as well as horses. It therefore brings together crop cultivation, animal husbandry and forestry; the focus is not limited to a single crop. If you are planning a museum visit, check the current opening arrangements before travelling.

Picnic tables are available to everyone in Maniquerville. The City Stade for young visitors is located on Rue Henri Desprez, in the clearing in the church wood. Handball, volleyball, basketball, football and tennis can be played there. There is also a mountain bike pump track behind the City Stade. The facilities offer different kinds of activities: the tables provide a place to take a break, the City Stade brings several sports together, and the pump track is intended for mountain bikes.

A Tour by Appointment

A 2023 tourism listing stated that the Astravent distillery in Maniquerville offered 50-minute tours by appointment; the visits included a complimentary tasting. If this visit is an important part of your stay, check before travelling whether a tour is currently available.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Maclou-La-Brière, Quiévrecourt, Hautot-Sur-Mer, Sept-Meules, Flamanville, Yainville, Bacqueville-En-Caux, Mauquenchy.

For the regional travel overview: Seine-Maritime.