Le Mesnil Garnier (2.6km).
Hamlet with just a church and re-cycling for glass, plastic and cardboard.
Villedieu Les Poeles (6km / 10 minutes).
Famous for its copper and bell making craftsmen this lively town is picturesque and boasts many restaurants, bars and shops that cater for the local population. The towns main attractions include the fully functional bell foundary, copper workshops along with lace museum and river walk. There is a weekly market every Tuesday.
Granville-sur-mer (Julloville plage, St Pair-sur-mer, Karion plage) (15k / 20 minutes)
Granville is an architecturally interesting and cosmopolitan city with chic boutiques and cafes, home to Christian Dior and his museum. A commercial port along with pleasure yacht harbour rise to a high outcrop with very old military buildings. On either side of the town are miles of beaches that are known as the St Tropez of the north. Just a few minutes south of Granville, St Pair-sur-Mer is a small seaside resort town with plenty of cafes and restaurants and the start of the impressive sandy beach that stretches for miles through Julloville and Karion Plage.
To the north of Granville, the beaches whilst still outstanding also are host to millions of mussels and oysters.
Just a few kilometers further south is the world renouned Mont Saint Michel. A great day out - winding up the narrow car free streets of cafés, bars and resturants to the amazing cathedral on the peak, the most photographed area being the intricatley constructed cloisters.
Champrepeus Zoo was established in the 1950's and boasts lions, tigers and whilst no bears, does have giraffes and many other amazing animals as well as various bouncy castles. The gardens are also beautifully landscaped. The zoo is approximately a 15 minute drive away and has a very large pleasant cafe.
Gavray is a charming town with several boulangeries, cafés and local bars, as well as a weekly Saturday market for livestock and local produce. The larger towns of Coutances, Avranches and St-Lo are within 25 miles of La Lorrie and all have large supermarkets as well as friendly traditional shops.
The Normandy beaches, museums and St Mere Eglise (famous for the parachutist who got stuck on the church spire) are all within an easy hours drive.
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Villedieu-les-poeles is famous for its local artists and craftsmen and the town has become a centre for arts tourism. The towns main attractions include a copper workshop, a fonderie de cloches (working bell foundary), lace and copper museums. There are also plenty of delightful restaurants where you can enjoy local delicacies along with a glass of Pommeau or Calvados.
History
In 1130, a small Normandy village called Siennetre was given to the knights of St John who established a colony of copper craftsmen there. When the order was rechristened, the knights of Malta two years later, they re-named the village “Villedieu” (village of God) to ensure God’s protection. In the 19th century, Villedieu started to manufacture everyday copper objects such as urns and pans, at the beginning of the 20th century Villedieu became Villedieu-les-poeles, “poele” is the French word for frying pan so you have: "God's town of the cooking pot". The towns 15th century copper workshops and courtyards have been preserved and are now a great tourist attraction. The most notable of these being Cour du Foyer, Cour Isaac, Cour de la Luzerne and Cour du Paradis.
The Bells of Cornille-Havard
The knights of St John began bell making in Villedieu several centuries before the modern bell foundary was established in 1865. Each bell is cast from bronze, can be personalised and decorated. The most popular bells are “la Fondamentale”, “le Bourdon” (an octave lower) and “la Nominale” (an octave higher). Weighing around 300kg, a bells sound depends on its diameter and thickness – any mistake in fabrication can result in it sounding the wrong note or even making no sound at all.
Things to see
Visit the “Church of Notre-Dame”: originally a 12th century chapel, it became a Norman church in the 13th century and was transformed into a gothic style church in the 15th century. Also visit the “Musee de la poeslerie” (copper crafts), “Musee de al dentelliere” (bobbin lace), “Maison de l’etain” (tin) and the “Musee municipal du meuble normand” (antique Norman furniture).
Things to do
“Le Grand Sacre”: a religious procession celebrating the knights of Malta which dates back to the 12th century. It is held every four years most recently June 8th 2008 www.villedieu-grandsacre.fr/. “Discover the old Villedieu” is a guided walk that lasts just over an hour. “Caleche tours” explore Villedieu from a horse drawn carriage. “Market & music” in July and August, shop at the Tuesday market then return the same evening for a free concert. “Le parc zoologique de Champrepus”: more than 80 species of African and Asian animals in 6 hectares of parkland, including lions, giraffes, monkeys and a selection of inclusive bouncy castles.