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Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives (Saint-Pierre-en-Auge)

Saint-Pierre-Sur-Dives is part of the Saint-Pierre-en-Auge group of municipalities.
I mention that because it is confusing as you can find both names for the same town.

Visit

A local vineyard

Eat

Discover the rich medieval heritage of this town of 3,700 inhabitants : its abbey and churches, medieval covered market, Conservatory Garden, Carel castle and a Norman vineyard !

What to visit ?

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Office of Tourism
Rue de l’Abbatiale, Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, 14170 Saint-Pierre-en-Auge.
– Ph : 02 31 48 18 10
– Email : saintpierre-tourisme@agglo-lisieux.fr
– Opening days :
Closed on Sunday.
September-June : From Monday to Saturday (closed on Saturday afternoon).
Closed between 12:30pm-1:30pm.
July and August : From Monday to Saturday.
Closed between 12:30pm-1:30pm.

A good tip !

Visit the town with your smartphone and IzI App :
Available only in French
More info HERE.

The Benedictine Abbey

ABBAYE DE SAINT-PIERRE-SUR-DIVES (Free entrance)
3, rue Saint-Benoît, 14170 Saint-Pierre sur-Dives.

  • Opening hours of the church abbey :
    – April to September: daily from 9am-6pm
    – October to March: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-5pm.
  • Opening hours of the cloister courtyard :
    – May to September: daily 7:30am-7:30pm.
    – October to April : daily 7:30am-6pm.
  • Chapter room visible only from the outside.

– This abbey was founded in the 11th century by Countess Lesceline, great-aunt of William the Conqueror.
You can see her tomb in the abbey church.
– Its construction took place over 7 centuries between the 11th and the 18th century.
– With its abbey church, cloister courtyard, convent buildings and chapter house, it is nowadays one of the most intact and complete abbeys in Normandy.
– Don’t miss the exceptional ceramic floor in the church choir dating from the 13th century.

The Medieval Market Hall

7 Place du Marché, 14170 Saint-Pierre-en-Auge.
Open every day, free entrance.

  • Built between the 11th and 16th centuries at the initiative of the monks of the abbey, this imposing covered market is a jewel of the Norman medieval heritage and is one of the largest in France ( 70-meters long / 20-meters wide).
  • Every Monday morning, it hosts an authentic market (small local producers sell their own products : cream, eggs, cheeses, honey or homemade products (pastry, jam…).
  • Admire the magnificent oak frame that was damaged by the bombing of the Second World War but restored and inaugurated in 1949 in respect of medieval construction techniques.
  • Many events are organized throughout the year ( Christmas market, concerts…).

GOOD TO KNOW !
An antique market takes place on the first Sunday of each month all year round.
The covered market is transformed into a large antique exhibition : antique dealers and second-hand dealers exhibit Norman objects and furniture, etc…
Free admission.

The Conservatory Garden

Rue Saint-Benoît, Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, 14170 Saint-Pierre-en-Auge

  • Open from May 1st to September 30 everyday 8am-6:30pm.
  • Free admission for a self-guided tour.

You like flowers and vegetables ?
Then visit this museum-garden which presents 450 varieties and species of flowers and vegetables traditionally grown in the Pays d’Auge.

Château de Carel

6 bis rue du château , 14170 Saint-Pierre-en-Auge.

  • Usually open every day from mid-July to August in the afternoon (1:30pm-7:30pm) and for the Heritage Days on the 3rd weekend of September (free admission these 2 days).
  • Small admission fee over 18 y.o.
  • Check opening days & times before coming : 
    By phone : 06 71 73 46 33.
    Or by email : chateaudecarel@sfr.fr

– A beautiful private castle on the banks of the Dives river dating from the end of the 17th century and surrounded by a moat.
Listed as a Historic Monument.
– The castle is located in the former village of Carel which is now part of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives (Carel was south of town).
– You can visit (only) the outdoor areas, the park and the gorgeous 16th century dovecote.
– Very welcoming owners.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT « MOULIN DE CAREL » CHEESE ?
The AOP Norman camembert Moulin de Carel is made in the same former village of Carel at the Moulin Carel Cheese Dairy created in 1950. 
You can buy many local cheeses (Moulin de Carel, Jort, Pont L’Evêque, Livarot..) at the Jort cheese shop in the town center :
Fromagerie de Jort
8, rue du marché 14170 Saint-Pierre-en-Auge.

An original tea-room in a leather shop

"Art et Thé Le Temps"

49 rue de Lisieux, 14170 Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
– Ph : 02 14 10 12 51
– E-mail : artettheletemps14@orange.fr
– Website on Facebook HERE.
– Check opening days online.

  • A tea room with a Victorian atmosphere in a handmade leather creations shop on the theme of imaginary worlds : a very atypical place !
  • Also books and board games available.
  • Discover the creations of Kelvine : DK Créations Cuirs : http://dkcreationscuirs.com/

Other suggestions of visits in the surroundings

I ADVISE YOU TO COMBINE THE VISIT OF SAINT-PIERRE-SUR-DIVES WITH :

  • Manoir de Coupesarte in Mézidon-Vallée d’Auge (15 minutes by car from Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives) : a small detour is recommended to admire this hidden gem lost in nature : a private half-timbered manor from the 15th and 17th centuries only visible from the outside but so beautiful…
  • La Houssaye Cheese dairy and boutique : you want to buy artisanal cheese directly from the producer ? Click HERE.
  • Graindorge cheese dairy in Livarot (20 minutes by car from Saint Pierre sur Dives) where you can visit the workshops to understand all the different stages of cheese production.
    More info HERE.

Les Arpents du Soleil Vineyards

The only vineyard in Normandy located near Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives in the Pays d’Auge !

LES ARPENTS DU SOLEIL
Chemin des vignes, Grisy, 14170 Vendeuvre (4 km from the town center of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives).

  • Website HERE.
  • Open all year round, every day except on Wednesday & Sunday, from 2pm to 6pm.
  • Don’t hesitate to call them if you are in the area outside the opening days/times : 02 31 40 71 82.
  • Guided tour (possible in English) of the domain (2 hrs) : from April to late October on Thursday at 2:30pm (around 10 euros pp / free for children -12). Reservation : 02 31 40 71 82.
  • Request for information at : gerard.samson979@orange.fr

– This small vineyard has an excellent orientation and a dry and warm microclimate (incredible in Normandy but still true ! ).
– The terroir is close to the one of Burgundy and there would have already been the only Norman vineyard here from medieval times to the end of the 18th century.
– The winemaker Gérard Samson produces four wines : one red wine and three white wines.

Want to eat in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives ?