Paris1972-Versailles2003

We passed by it so many times over the years and even stop on the N175 highway to our road warrior trails from my beautiful Morbihan to my dear former Versailles, but never into City center until now ! I am glad stop by and have new pictures for my blog of a new town in my world map, The town of Villedieu les Poêles is located in the Manche dépt 50 in the region of Normandie of my belle France, Therefore, let me tell you on curiosities of Villedieu les Poêles !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Column of the Republic. was topped with a gilded Marianne replacing a Napoleonic imperial eagle. An allegory of the Republic, the statue, placed atop a six-meter-high granite column from the former La Bloutière convent, stands in the Place de la République, It was inaugurated on July 14, 1889, for the centenary of the French revolution, replacing the Napoleonic eagle that previously stood atop the column. This column itself had replaced a wooden pyramid commemorating the “brave men who died for their country on November 15 and 17, 1793,” during the Vendée troops’ (fought the French revolution) attack on Villedieu.

The Maison du Patrimoine Sourdun is a museum that succeeds the former museums of Norman furniture and pottery and lace. It opened its doors on April 15, 2024, after three and a half years of renovations, in the former cinema located behind the City/town hall. It retraces the history of Villedieu, founded in the 12C by the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem. It presents the town’s architectural and cultural heritage through six spaces showcasing themes such as lace, copper work and its alloys, the Hospitaller Commandery, Norman furniture, the Siena region, and contemporary legacies. It also incorporates the lace school. Six scenographic and interactive spaces present the town’s rich architectural and cultural heritage through beautiful museum collections. You can discover, in turn: the history of this former commandery of the Order of Malta, then the copper industry, lacemaking expertise, the natural heritage of the river, Norman furniture,and contemporary legacies that is to say, some of the most beautiful copper and brass objects made today by the Sourdin workshops of excellence. Temporary exhibitions are offered, as well as guided tours and town visits. The lace school, on the first floor of the Maison du Patrimoine Sourdin, offers bobbin lace classes open to all. Discover the magnificent rich heritage of Villedieu-les-Poêles. The admission is completely free for all individual visits.

The City/Town Hall, located on Place de la République, replaced the first City hall built in the 16-17C. The town’s burghers conducted the town’s affairs there, and tax collectors gathered royal taxes and duties. The wedding hall contains six paintings by the artist Michel-Adrien Servant and a very interesting stained-glass window depicting the town. The contract for the construction of the City Hall was awarded on August 26, 1862, and the building was officially opened on August 14, 1869. In 1920, the construction of the secular community center was decided upon, located behind the City hall, which would house a cinema in 1927. Later, the above Maison du Patrimoine Sourdin,

The Tourist Office – Showcase of Arts and Crafts located at 8 Place des Costils,and always worth the visit indeed, In addition to its tourist function, also presents a showcase of arts and crafts within its bright and well-suited exhibition spaces. Indeed, fine craftsmanship is part of the town’s heritage, and to celebrate the artisans, the Tourist Office gives their creations a prominent place in the city through three themed exhibitions and sales each year.

The Intercommunal media library located at 12 place des Halles can do photocopier and printer (maximum 5 prints and/or copies per person per day) computer station toilets Free parking is located near each of the sites. The most important for the visitor is the array of local books and magazines to really sink in into the local culture and knowhow, one spot to keep in mind to visit while in town, we do !

And for the complete visit get a copper cookware here at the La Fée Sourdine, located at 8-10 Place de la République, offering gifts, souvenirs, copper and stainless steel cookware, copper bracelets, bells, etc. It is one of only two copper shops still operating in Villedieu. It has been run by the same owner since 2012.

And we had our lunch in town at the logis hotels, a favorite chain hotelier in France, this is the Le Fruitier hotel and we had our lunch at the very nice L’Atelier restaurant ,The dining room, with its clean lines and contemporary design, will give you the illusion of dining in the heart of the Villedieu bell foundry workshop. The more intimate space, decorated with a delightful mix of materials and styles, creates a harmonious and more refined atmosphere. This was once again by hazard and another find to my list of favorites, we will return indeed, We had our usual different dishes with my boys along a Red Saint Nicolas red wine bottle, and a Loire valley garafe Rosé, I chose the menu plat et dessert with the Trio de Poissons de Mer rotis,( Trio of Roasted salmon, codfish, and bar), and a sample of café gourmand with small sweets and coffee, my sons had a more hearty meals of big steaks !!! all for 40 euros per person, The official Le Fruitier hotel, restaurant L’Atelier of Villedieu les Pôeles : https://www.le-fruitier.com/fr/restaurant-latelier

The Villedieu les Poêles tourist office on the Maison du Patrimoine Sourdin : https://en.villedieutourisme.com/discover/villedieu-les-poeles-and-surroundings/the-house-of-sourdin-heritage/

The Villedieu les Poêles tourist office on the quartier des Métiers des Arts ( Arts and Crafts District) : https://en.villedieutourisme.com/discover/the-living-heritage-experience/le-quartier-des-metiers-dart/

The town of Villedieu les Poêles-Rouffigny on the Maison du Patrimoine Sourdin : https://www.villedieu-les-poeles.fr/mes-loisirs/culture/maison-du-patrimoine-sourdin/

There you go folks, now I feel better given credit to this nice Norman town on the road between my beautiful Morbihan and my dear former Versailles. A wonderful stop for all, we are glad to get to know it now. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Villedieu les Poêles !!! as I.

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