On Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17, 2023, the 40rd edition of the European Heritage Days, which will notably celebrate “Living Heritage”. For the occasion, the sites, museums and associations of the Falaise – Suisse Normande destination offer you original activities and visits.
Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 September
The medieval city - Falaise : self-guided tour
- Free hours
- Free
Discover the rich heritage of Falaise, medieval city, birthplace of William the Conqueror by following the circuit of the ramparts. A visit in autonomy to follow thanks to the sheet available at the tourist office or for download. And for an even more complete experience, use the application WIVISITS which allows you to benefit from geolocation and a complete and accessible audioguided commentary! Access to the audioguided tour is free and without obligation to download.
William the Conqueror Castle - Falaise : self-guided tour
- 10pm to 18pm
- Free - Contact: 02 31 41 61 44
Presentation of the site by the mediators for about ten minutes, the visit of the dungeons is then carried out independently for all visitors (limited places).
Automata Museum - Falaise : independent and/or guided visit, games
- 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 13:30 p.m. to 18 p.m.
- Guided tours at 14 p.m. and 15:30 p.m. (from 8 years old) - On reservation
- Free - Contact: 02 31 90 02 43
Visit the Museum of Automata independently with the help of a visit booklet and a games booklet for children. And especially for the European Heritage Days, the Museum of Automata invites you to have fun around board games (games accessible from 3 years old).
Chateau de la Fresnaye - Falaise : exposure " Weeds "
For the second consecutive year, the Labo des Arts takes over the Château de la Fresnaye for an exhibition around pop culture and contemporary art. Discover the “Weeds” exhibition by Nicolas Weber and Hilary Galbreaith.
- 11pm to 20pm
- Free - Contact: 02 31 90 89 60
Chapel of St. Vigor - Saint-Martin-de-Better: self-guided tour
- 10pm to 18pm
- 1 € / person - Contact: 02 31 90 17 26
Free visit to the Saint Vigor chapel, erected in the 1987th century and restored in XNUMX by Kyoji Takubo, a Japanese artist, who decided to make it a true work of art.
Fernand Léger-André Mare Museum -Argentan: self-guided tour
- 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 13:30 p.m. to 18 p.m.
- Free - Contact: 02 33 16 55 97
Come and discover the story of these 2 major artists of the XXrd century, from their first steps in Argentan to their international fame. You will also attend a presentation by the staff of the various professions exercised within the museum.
Torp Chapel - Villers-Canivet : self-guided tour
- From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 19 p.m.
- Free participation
Discover the chapel of Torp and take advantage of the restitution of the “Mumures” project, work of several months carried out within the framework of the initiative “Rural territories, territories of culture” carried out by the DRAC Normandy. Through a sound piece and several collective works produced with the inhabitants of the territory, follow in the footsteps of a chapel that was forsaken for a time, and today rebuilt in the heart of a hamlet, a discreet witness to the history of men and women who live there.
Vicques Castle : self-guided tour
- From 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
- Free
In this very well-preserved place, a former stronghold, you will benefit from a presentation of heritage trades. These traditional construction trades built our heritage until the appearance of concrete and modern products. Will be honored: Maison Paysanne de France and all its know-how as well as the Charpentiers sans Frontières, some of which are currently manufacturing the trusses necessary for the reconstruction of the great roof of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Castle of Treprel: self-guided tour
- 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. and 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
- Free - Contact: 06 82 81 41 60
Guided tour of the park and the west facade of the castle of Tréprel. This XNUMXth century castlerd of neo-classical style was nicely built in limestone and bricks by the architect Nicolas Gondouin, famous in particular for the construction of the town hall and the Saint-Léonard de Falaise hotel.
Château de Grisy: self-guided tour
- From 13:30 am to 18:30 pm
- Free - Contact: 06 52 68 75 78
Visit of exteriors. The Château de Grisy, built in the XNUMXthrd century, then enlarged in the XNUMXthrd century, includes the dwelling, the farm outbuildings, a pond and the orchards.
Chateau d'Ailly - Bernieres d'Ailly : theatrical wandering
- 14pm to 19pm
- Performances at 14:30 p.m. and 17 p.m.
- 5 € / person (free -10 years old) - Contact: 09 51 23 53 23
Rendez-vous for a theatrical wandering "Let's go back in time" in the heart of the park of the Château d'Ailly! As soon as you enter the park, you will be greeted by characters from another time. In the chapel of the XIrd century, discover an exhibition on Elegance in which you will find silhouettes from the 1950s to the 2000s. During your wanderings around the exterior, try your hand at old games with joyful costumes. And at the bend of a grove, you will come across a theatrical performance!
water Mill - Saint-Germain-Langot : guided tour
- 14pm to 18pm
- Free participation
Visit of the mill in operation (milling of cereals), exhibition of milling tools and documents relating to the history and life of the mills. Visit accessible to people with reduced mobility, signposted route from the center of the village.
Saturday September 16 only
Mediatheque - Falaise : exhibition "Art is prancing"
- From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 13:30 p.m. to 17 p.m.
- Free - Contact: 02 31 41 65 45
Especially for the European Heritage Days, the Pays de Falaise Media Library offers you an exhibition of 25 equestrian costumes from the company "L'Art est cabré", a company combining equestrian arts with performing arts.
Chapel of St. Vigor - Saint-Martin-de-Better: self-guided tour
- Evening
Illumination of the chapel at nightfall
Nature walk at the Brèche au Diable – Soumont-Saint-Quentin
- Departure at 14 a.m. - Meet at the car park of the Church of Soumont
- Free - Contact: 06 09 36 58 08
In the heart of the plain, discover this place full of legends. Change of scenery: rugged rocky islet, wild river, gorse moor. Along the paths of the breach, Loïc Nicolle, a passionate nature guide, invites you to discover the fauna and flora hidden there. From the tomb of Marie Joly to the prehistoric polishers, this 2-hour walk promises to be rich in discoveries.
Micro-madness - Falaise: micro-conference “Women artists through time”
- 14pm to 16pm
- Free - Contact: 02 31 90 92 44
This year, the Micro-Folie de Falaise honors women artists during the European Heritage Days! Through the digital museum, you will discover those who have marked the history of art. Several works, selected by the mediator of the place, will allow us to go back in time and to understand the conditions of female artists.
Falaise Forum-Theater - Cliff: guided tour
- At 15:30 p.m. (duration: 1h30)
- Free - Contact: 02 31 90 89 60
This time, go to the other side of the decor! Exclusively for the European Heritage Days, discover the Forum theatre, how it works, its backstage... Everything that the spectator does not usually see!
Chapel of Torp – Villers-Canivet
- At 20:30 p.m.
- Free
From the village hall, come and discover your heritage in the nocturnal light. Walk towards the chapel of Torp which will be illuminated for the occasion. Friendship Glass.
Guided tour of the Old Washhouse and walk in the Val d’Ante – Cliff
- At 15:00 p.m.
- meet at the old washhouse rue de la Roche
- Free – reservation Tourist Office 02 31 90 17 26
Starting from the old wash house, the “Si Falaise m'tait conté” Association offers you a walk around the neighborhood: the tanneries and other industries, the wash houses, the Reconstruction developments and the disappeared streets.
Sunday, September 17
Abbey of Saint-André-en-Gouffern - La Hoguette : guided tour
- 13pm to 18pm
- Free (upon registration) - Contact: 07 77 96 67 84
Guided tour of the site by the owners on the themes of architecture, restoration and the history of the abbey.
Morteaux-Couliboeuf : guided tour in the footsteps of General Le Tellier de Blanchard
- At 14:30 p.m. - Meet at the Town Hall Square
- Free
Discover the fate of General Le Tellier de Blanchard, a singular man and outstanding figure in the town of Morteaux-Couliboeuf. First follow a guided tour of the town and then enjoy a private tour of the exhibition on the General in the Media Library, through objects and documents from the period, military and family.
Chapel of St. Vigor - Saint-Martin-de-Better: self-guided tour
- At 17 o 'clock
- Reservation recommended 06 82 76 49 55
- Free participation
Pierre Gallon, a musician born in Falaise, likes to multiply experiences. Having graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur with two first prizes and the highest distinctions, he is offering a small harpsichord concert for the end of the day.
Versainville castle
- 10 a.m. to 13 p.m.
- Visit to the park: €5
- Visit of the park and interiors: €10
Guided tour offered at 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Access to the park with a short presentation of the premises, or visit to the interiors. Built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century near Falaise, by an old Norman family, strongly established locally, remaining in this family, the Château de Versainville survived the revolutionary period without major damage, was spared during the bombings of Falaise, in despite the presence of occupying troops, served as a summer camp reception center for many years before the family resettled there. It is its history and its current life within its territory which will be presented
Mediatheque - Falaise: conference “an equestrian portrait”
- At 15 o 'clock
- Free - Contact: 02 31 41 65 45
Walking, trotting, galloping… a body in motion! During the European Heritage Days, discuss with Mireille Crétinon, visual artist.
Hôtel de Morel – Falaise: Self-guided tour of the garden
- From 14:30 am to 17:30 pm
- Free – Contact: 02 31 90 17 26 (Tourist Office)
Mr. and Mrs. Delacroix give you free access to the garden of their beautiful XNUMXth century private mansion. You will enjoy a nice view of the Val d'Ante from the city ramparts.
