Lisieux

Visit Lisieux, Normandy

Lisieux is a sizable town situated in the Calvados department of Normandy, in the countryside south of Honfleur and Deauville. The town is best known as a very important pilgrimage centre (second only to Lourdes in France) for devotees of Sainte Thérèse.

The town can trace its roots back to a gallic settlement here more than 2000 years ago, with important places of interest to be seen from both medieval times and the 19th century. Although Lisieux suffered very substantial damage during the battle to liberate France in 1944, the extensive reconstruction work in the years after the war goes a long way to recreating the historical centre of the town.

Exploring Lisieux

Your visit can start at the Cathedral Saint-Pierre, a 12th century gothic* style cathedral that somehow escaped serious damage during the war. It was here that Henry, future King of England, married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152. A less noble distinction, the Bishop Cauchon who played a key role in the trial and downfall of Joan of Arc in the 15th century is also buried in the cathedral.

*The 12th century was the very beginning of the period dominated by gothic architecture (previously roman style was more common) and Lisieux cathedral is one of the earliest examples built in France - it was constructed on the site of, and incorporates elements from, an earlier roman style cathedral on the same site that burned down in 1136.

Another cathedral in Lisieux is the Basilica Saint-Therese, on a hill overlooking the town. This was constructed and dedicated to Sainte Thérese after she made a saint in 1925, in order to give her pilgrims somewhere to worship. The basilica has an attractively decorated interior and is one of the largest churches constructed in the last 100 years - it also escaped major damage during the war.

Another highlight is the Chateau de Saint-Germain-de-Livet, a picturesque castle that includes the 15th century moated manor house that originally stood here and the 16th century renaissance style castle that was added to the manor house in the 16th century. The castle is also surrounded by very picturesque gardens. Inside, the castle is as much a museum as a castle and holds an extensive range of furnishing and paintings, particularly of the 19th century.

Allow time to visit the adjacent Jardin de l'Abbe Marie, originally the site of a medieval cemetery and now transformed into a lovely peaceful garden that incorporates the tombstones from the cemetery.

The Lisieux Museum of Art and History is in an attractive half timbered building in the centre of the town. The museum contains an extensive range of objects from both Lisieux and elsewhere in the Pays d'Auge region. The highlights are the large number of glass items dating from the roman period and pottery from the 16th-17th centuries, and an interesting collection of photos showing Lisieux historical centre before the damage caused by the second world war.

Elsewhere in the town you will see some attractive half-timbered buildings and grander townhouses, while the Priest's garden (Jardin de l'Eveché) is the main park in Lisieux and a nice place for a stroll after visiting the monuments.

We suggest that if possible you visit Lisieux on a Saturday morning when the local market takes place and has plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local specialities, particularly the highly regarded Normandy cheeses and ciders.

Attractions Close to Lisieux

There are also several manor houses and gardens of interest in the region - the Chateau de Crevecoeur, the Chateau de Boutemont and the Chateau de Vendeuvre are each highly recommended but there are others we haven't yet visited!

Lisieux is also well placed for exploring the Pays d'Auge region, with such beautiful villages as Beuvron-en-Auge to explore, and for following the Normandy cider route through the surrounding countryside.

Tourist classifications for Lisieux: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*;

Suggested places to visit near Lisieux, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Trouville 27km; Houlgate 28km; Dives-sur-Mer 28km; Villerville 29km; Cabourg 29km; Honfleur 30km; Pont-Audemer 31km; Abbey of Bec-Hellouin 37km; Le Havre 39km; Falaise 42km; Caen 43km; Argentan 48km; Jumieges Abbey 54km; Caudebec-en-Caux 56km; La Bouille 56km; Creully 58km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Lisieux

Lisieux tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Boutemont - remarkable garden (4km) : Orbec - town of art and history (19km) : Touques - ville fleurie 4* (24km) : Jardins du château de Vendeuvre - remarkable garden (28km) : Arboretum d'Harcourt - remarkable garden (41km) : Abbaye de Caen (Caen) - religious monument (43km) : Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon - ville fleurie 4* (45km) : Jardins du château du Champ de Bataille - remarkable garden (46km) :

French version: see Lisieux (Francais)