Les Bois de Milleharts

In the heart of the Suisse Normande region, the Thury Plein Air outdoor centre welcomes you for supervised activities and hire, for individuals and groups. Discover the magnificent landscapes between Clécy, Thury-Harcourt and the Val de Maizet by hiring canoes, kayaks, bicycles, pedalos and single and giant stand-up paddles. In a kayak (single-seater) or canoe (double-seater, with the option of adding a third person), come and cruise the Orne with family and friends to discover the hidden corners of Normandy. You can hire canoes on site and choose from four routes ranging from 7 to 15km, with trips lasting from 1 to 5 hours. Explore the Suisse Normande region by bike (mountain bike, VTC and electric bike) on the voie verte (towards Caen or Clécy) and on the mountain bike trails accessible from the entrance to the base. Groups can also discover other activities such as archery, orienteering and climbing. A total immersion in nature, less than 30 km from Caen!

In April 2019, we created an association (Loi 1901, non-profit) to run an organic and local produce grocery café in Suisse-Normande. We want to develop our organic grocery café around 3 major axes: ? Cooperative: every consumer in the broadest sense can be a consom?actor (including producers) ? Participative: each cooperator (consumer or producer) can get involved and commit to the project ? Solidarity-based: each producer is remunerated at fair value, and prices are fairer for consumers, thanks to the absence of intermediaries. Animals accepted.

Of the castle that once belonged to the Harcourt family, hitherto known as the Versailles of Normandy, all that remains today are the park and the scorched facade of the former entrance vestibule, the chapel and the outbuildings. It was once one of the finest buildings in Normandy. The castle, which once boasted a total of 264 windows, was comprised of a vast gallery overlooking the River Orne below, and of ten aligned lounges which led to the chapel. On the 12th of August 1944, as the British 59th Infantry Division reached the outskirts of Thury-Harcourt, the infamous SS Das Reich division that occupied the town set fire to the castle, reducing its precious furnishings to cinders, along with over 150 old paintings and a library with over 15,000 books.