Discovery tour of Douvres la Délivrande

René Lalique (1860/1945), famous master glassmaker, inspired by the light of the sanctuary, designed various liturgical furnishings for the chapel. The work installed in 1931 for the Easter celebrations consists of three glass canopies, a Christ on the Cross, an altarpiece, a tabernacle door and luminous columns.

Romanesque arches, remains of the 12th century Romanesque chapel. Built at the request of the baron of Dover afin to expose to the pilgrims the statue of the virgin discovered by one of his sheep scraping the ground. It was the old chapel, replaced by the current basilica.

Father Saulet, as early as 1844, contributed to the foundation of a new religious society in the spirit of the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul: "The Holy Family", in reference to the "Holy Family of Nazareth". The mission of the community is carried out today in support of the excluded through social and pastoral activities.

Given to a community of Eudist laity and priests, at the service of pilgrims for times of exchange and teaching. This place also welcomes all types of groups (parish pilgrimages, camps, schools with pedagogical projects, families...).

Seminary founded in 1644, used as a hospital during the 1st World War. Nowadays it is a college of the Maîtrise Notre Dame. Characteristic architecture of the Louis XIII period. Door surmounted by a pediment accompanied by three niches, probably intended to receive statues. On the second floor, a dormer window with a triangular pediment rests on fluted pilasters with Ionic style capitals.

On this site there was a Gallo-Roman temple which was replaced by the Romanesque chapel Notre-Dame in the 12th century (of which only the Romanesque arches can still be seen). The present basilica was built between 1854 and 1895 by Father Louis Saulet and his successors. This basilica recalls the history of one of the oldest Norman pilgrimages dedicated to the Virgin Mary through the illustrations of the tympanums of its three entrance doors. A Gallo-Roman sanctuary was already dedicated to the cult of the mother goddess brought by legionaries from Africa; this would explain the black complexion of this statuary. In the 7th century, this cult was replaced by a Christian one. In the 9th century, the statue of the virgin disappeared during the Viking raids. Later, in the 11th century, one of the sheep of the Baron of Dover, scraping the ground, digs up the statue of the disappeared virgin. Afin to celebrate it, a new chapel is created but in the 16th century, the Protestants destroy the statue of the virgin, which will then be replaced by the one now present.

Art nouveau style building. work by F. Rouvray under influence by H. Guimard. The composite facade presents elements of Renaissance and classical style architecture, while the ironwork, frames and railing are in art nouveau style. Inside, a certain number of furnishings have been preserved from the period.

In Douvres, in the past, court hearings were held in the former police station. In 1912, the mayor decided to build a building with the help of the famous architect Aumasson. This building will house the headquarters of justice of the peace until the 1950s.

Former farm built in the 19th century. Rehabilitation of the building and the old barn for the organisation of exhibitions. The courtyard has been converted into a garden with a play area. The entrance gates are a reuse of the Sainte-Croix property (current town hall).

This building is a former railway station which was opened by the railway company from Caen to the sea from June 1875. The railway line was removed in 1950, since this building has become the House of Associations.

Former Holy Cross property, as indicated by the "s" and the cross engraved on the pillars at the entrance of this building. This house was built as early as 1876 and is significative of the architecture of that time. Note at the top of édifice, a decorated ceramic frieze.

This path along the Douvette river is named after a famous character. It is a Osbern's son who, thanks to Odon de Conteville (half-brother of William the Conqueror and bishop of Bayeux in the 11th century) became archbishop of York in England in 1071, after having been treasurer of the church of Bayeux. Thomas Osbern will henceforth be called Thomas of Dover because of his place of birth.

In Romanesque style, the bell tower is crowned by a Gothic flèche. The nave is extended by a choir of the fin of the XIVth century rebuilt in 1832 because of the damages of the lightning. An 18th century statue of Saint Regnobert, one of the first evangelisers of Normandy, is kept in a side chapel.

Former presbytery, 18th century building. Its portal is composed of a carriage door flanquée, two wrought pilasters finement and two pedestrian doors, one of which is said to be blind. One can still notice the cross which surmounts the portal.

19th century mansion. Architecture of seaside style. The entrance gate finement probably dates from the same period.

The creation of a barony at Douvres probably dates back to the 11th century. At that time, its owners were relatives of Duke-King William the Conqueror. It was sold during the Revolution and became the property of the city in 1974. The age of the buildings and the present remains range from the 12th to the 17th century. We can still see two buildings, remodelled at fil at the time, which served as a hall (ceremonial room, reception, even courtroom) and the other as a dwelling. These two buildings are part of the layout of a 13th century Anglo-Norman estate. There was also a chapel which would date from the fin of the 12th century and of which only a few walls, buttresses and departures of columns remain. Nowadays it is a cultural space, a place for walks and games.