Visiting Villedieu-les-Poêles, Normandy.
Staying or Visiting Villedieu-les-Poêles, where to go and best things to do in Villedieu les-Poêles
Villedieu-les-Poêles Is situated in La Manche, Normandy just 45 minutes from Le Mont Saint Michel. It is also only 30 minutes from some of the best beaches and the many Normandy D Day museums and monuments. There are so many things to do, this makes staying and Visiting Villedieu-les-Poêles an ideal place for exploring the Normandy coast.
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This stunning historic village in Normandy is famous for its long production of copper pots and pans. It’s name literally means the village of the frying pans. Its medieval streets are cobble lined and host a variety of different shops selling its wares. Every corner you turn you see a small alley or a beautiful doorway with flowers or copper pots lining its walls.
History of Villedieu-les-Poêles
Villedieu-les-Poêles was founded in 1130 by the Hospitaliers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem ( Th Order of Malta) . Once they obtained their place in the Valley of the Sienne from the Duke of Normandy and the King of England Henry 1st. They decided to place a Commandery in Villedieu lès Saultchevreuil. By making Low taxes and good administration many people were attracted people to Villedieu. This is also a pilgrim routes towards the Mont Saint Michel was another source of income for the town.
Museums in Villedieu-les-Poêles
There are a number of museums dedicated to crafts in Villedieu;
L’Atelier du Cuivre (the copper workshop)
la Fonderie des Cloches (Bell foundry)
Le Musée du Meuble Normand ( Furniture museum )
Musée de la Poeslerie/Maison de la Dentellière (Metal work and lace making )
La Founderie of Les Cloches
The workshops of Cornille Havard of Villedieu-les-Poêles has been going since the middle ages and still makes bells to this day. These workshops of the Bell foundery recently worked on founding 8 new bells for the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. You can visit the bell foundary and have a guided tour.
You can be rest assured if you purchase a Copper pot from the Atelier du curve you will have purchased the best and have a copper pot for life.
Markets
When Visiting Villedieu-les-Poêles it’s well worth checking out the market day on a Tuesday when they sell there local produce as well as clothes and bric-à-brac.
As well as the one large market on a Tuesday morning there is a small market on a Friday morning also. There a number of local producers sell a range of of foods such as speciality sausages called andouille. You will also find other Norman products such as cream, eggs, fish and seafood, fruit and vegetables.
Even their florists is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Stunning and contemporary in style. I will not even get started on the patisseries there is so much choice.
Shops in Villedieu-les-Poêles
There are many shops in Villedieu-les-Poêles. Lots of antique shops and shops selling the handmade copper pans but there also a lot of artisan shops too. Down the main road you will find a variety of shops including, shoe shops, clothing boutiques and gallery’s.
Behind the church are more boutique artisan shops including a hand made pottery shop with pottery made in Villedieu-les-Poêles
There is also Wine merchants on the corner of the cross roads near the church called Caviste.
Supermarkets and groceries in Villedieu-les-Poêles
If you are staying in Villedieu-les-Poêle area there are plenty of places to buy groceries. In the town there is a carrefour express behind the church as well as several patisseries, butchers, Bakeries (Boulangeries) and greengrocers.
For a larger shop there is a large Hyper Casino supermarket just outside of town if you carry on up Route De Caen. Close by there is also a Lidl Supermarket.
Places to eat in Villedieu-les-Poêles
There are plenty of bars and restaurants all around the town you can eat a variety of different cuisines. There are a few fabulous creperies where you can get a savoury galette or a sweet crepe. Try La Flambee des Cuivies at top of the town or La cuisine de leonie near the church.
if you are looking for something special try the hotel restaurant Hôtel Le Fruitier directly in town.
L’union is another lovely bar where you could also try sampling one of the restaurants plate du jour ( menu of the day) for around €8. There are plenty of tables outside for alfresco eating or having a glass of Kir whilst sitting in the beautiful centre watching the world go by.
It was pretty cool being able to watch the Le tour de France come through whilst visiting Villedieu-les-Poêles. It may be many years before it does again. We got a really good view this also meant there were plenty of places to grab a bite to eat after.
It won’t be long before we are back and I will be visiting the bell foundry again. It is so interesting and you get to see lots of different stages of the making of bells from all over the world. So for now I you leave you with a picture of our Maison in France which we hate to leave! But until next time au revoir!
D x
