The Village d’Art Guillaume le Conquérant of Dives sur Mer !!!

Posted in Europe, France

This another of the Norman riviera town very chic nice and great historical spot for a nice summer town/resort. We came here first on our road warrior trips along the coast and found Dives sur Mer, very nice find. I ,again, found me pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, Therefore, let me tell you a bit on the Village d’Art Guillaume le Conquérant of Dives sur Mer !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The village de Guillaume le Conquérant , aka village d’Art Guillaume le Conquérant or the Village of William the Conqueror aka William the Conqueror Art Village, is located in the heart of the town of Dives-sur-Mer. This so-called “art village,” rich in history, architecture, and traditions, is unique on the entire Côte Fleurie in Normandie. The place has become an artists’ village and experienced its golden age. It has also preserved an inn. The art village hosted the nomadic museum entitled “The Smallest Book Museum,” unique in France. It is a place of creation and permanent exhibition dedicated to the artist’s book, which represents a specific branch of contemporary art. The oldest part dates back to the 15C. The facade is austere and protects inner courtyards that housed travelers and the stables of the post relay. The architecture is typical of a Norman inn with its large kitchen, inner courtyard, and exterior galleries providing access to the rooms. Many celebrities stayed there: Louis XIV, who is said to have come to take the waters of Grangues, as well as the Duchess of Chaulnes and Madame de Sévigné, Alphonse Karr, Alexandre Dumas, Raymond Poincaré, President of the Republic, and many others.

The village d’Art Guillaume le Conquérant is located 200 meters from the market hall and the church, and is open to the public free of charge all year round. During the high season, you can meet artists, antique dealers, and craftspeople there. Formerly a coaching inn situated between Rouen and Caen along the coastal road, the complex included outdoor galleries providing access to the rooms, stables, and outbuildings. Some parts of the original buildings from that era are still easily discernible in the cour Louis XIV courtyard. At the end of the 19C, with the rise of seaside resorts, a wealthy clientele settled in the area, and the inn experienced a period of splendor thanks to an exceptionally talented innkeeper, Monsieur Le Rémois, who ensured his establishment a widespread reputation and welcomed numerous artistic, literary, and political celebrities. A great art lover, he transformed the inn and had the Norman buildings adorned with half-timbering and wood carvings. He also installed decorative finials on the roofs. A collector, he decorated the three courtyards with authentic 17-18C stone sculptures, sometimes originating from old churches or manor houses in the region. He also celebrated the memory of William the Conqueror. The pediment of the porch is still engraved with: “Hostellerie Guillaume Le Conquérant.” A fresco partially reproducing the Bayeux Tapestry is installed in the Salle du Départ or Departure Room, which now houses the tourist office. An open-air museum, seemingly untouched by time. At the end of the 20C, the area gradually transformed to accommodate artists, craftspeople, and antique dealers.

The town of Dives sur Mer on the Village d’Art Guillaume le Conquerant : https://www.dives-sur-mer.fr/tourisme/patrimoine/le-village-dart-guillaume-le-conquerant/

The local Normandie Cabourg Pays d’Auge tourist office on the Village d’Art Guillaume le Conquerant : https://www.normandie-cabourg-paysdauge-tourisme.fr/en/a-faire/culture/guillaume-le-conquerant/le-village-dart-guillaume-le-conquerant/

The Calvados dept 14 tourist office on Dives sur Mer : https://www.explore-calvados.com/en/cultural-heritage/dives-sur-mer/

There you go folks, another wonderful town in lovely Normandie and belle France, they are sublimes, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Village d’Art Guillaume le Conquérant of Dives sur Mer !!! as I. 

And remember, happy travels , good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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