La Vélo Francette : Voie Verte de Thury-Harcourt à Clécy

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.

Set off to explore Swiss Normandy by bike with our e-bike and hybrid bike hire service. Setting off from the Thury-Harcourt leisure centre, take the cycle path towards Clécy or Caen and enjoy a ride along the River Orne or on the various routes through Suisse Normande. For family outings, we offer bikes and child trailers as well as baby seats. Your four-legged friend can also come along thanks to our dog trailer. For those who prefer more challenging rides, discover the trails of Suisse Normande by hiring a mountain bike. Setting off from the outdoor activity centre, explore the signposted circuits suited to different levels of difficulty, in a natural setting that’s ideal for mountain biking. Fancy discovering Suisse Normande in a different way? Enjoy a unique experience with one of our guides, on an e-bike or a mountain bike. Ride along the region’s paths, discover its various points of interest and local history, and take in its most beautiful views. Let’s organise your outing together to suit your preferences! Discover Thury-Harcourt Castle, the Hom loop, the Clécy cliffs, Pont-d’Ouilly or even the Roche d’Oëtre. Choose your package: half-day, full day or a multi-day tour – the choice is yours!

La Lie: organic beers brewed in the heart of Suisse Normande For over 15 years, Brasserie La Lie has been brewing distinctive organic craft beers in the heart of Suisse Normande. Our philosophy is simple: to prioritise taste, quality and expertise, by working with organic ingredients and celebrating our local roots. We carefully select our malts and hops to create well-balanced, flavourful beers. Our beers are brewed on-site; they are top-fermented, unfiltered and unpasteurised to preserve their full aromatic richness and character. Beers to suit every taste: The classics, our must-try permanent range, The more craft-focused ‘La Liemited’ editions, seasonal brews, and for those who prefer non-alcoholic options, we offer fresh and natural alternatives: La Sans Pression, our non-alcoholic beer, and La Liemonade, our homemade craft lemonade made with real organic lemon juice! Come and discover La Lie La Lie Brewery is also a place to experience! On site, you’ll find our shop and our bar-restaurant, and you can immerse yourself in the world of brewing through our tours and tastings. Would you like to showcase our beers at an event? We also offer tap hire and the supply of draught beer kegs for professionals, festivals, organisations and private events. Is there a La Lie near you? Our beers are also available in many local shops and establishments across Normandy: organic and farm shops, grocers, wine merchants, restaurants, bars, brasseries and local produce shops. A craft beer, a place, a craft: welcome to La Lie Brewery!

The route de la Suisse Normande takes you on a journey of discovery through steep landscapes, following the tumultuous course of the River Orne. From Saint-Omer, you can enjoy magnificent views from the "Pain de sucre" and the "Rochers des parcs", known as the "route des crêtes". The steep cliffs of the "Pain de sucre" (Sugar Loaf) offer a 171 m vertical drop, where moors, woods, acidiphilous grasslands and meadows meet.

The River Orne runs along the foot of the steep cliffs, dominated by a rock known as Pain de Sucre. The "route des crêtes" atop the Houle rocks offers superb panoramic views of the Suisse-Normande region. This sensitive natural area can also be explored on hiking trails (GR36). Paraglider take-off area. Parking lots in Saint-Omer. Virtual visit: Click on the right.

André Hardy, an artist who tried his hand at many things and always with pleasure, invites you to what was once his home to admire the great diversity of his work. Come and discover Suisse Normande over a collection of more than 100 paintings and other exceptionally colourful works by the Impressionist painter. Opening hours: ask at the tourist office.

This emblematic site of Suisse-Normande, known for its rocky escarpments, can also be explored from the banks of the Orne or from the path overlooking the cliff. It's also a Mecca for rock-climbers, with 120 routes; topoguide on sale from Suisse Normande Tourisme. The richness and originality of its natural environments (moors, dry grasslands, slope woodlands, etc.) make it a remarkable natural area. Access to the site is possible from the parking lot under the viaduct at Le Vey. Virtual visit: click on the right.

The Loterie cellars are an organic cider-based production site, located on the slopes of Suisse Normande. Come and take a break at our Suisse Normande cider farm! Régis Aubry offers you a warm welcome and a tour of the site, including the orchards. He is delighted to explain his production, from apple juice to calvados, via a range of different ciders, thanks to some 30 different apple varieties, together with perry, cider vinegar, apple jelly, Pommeau de Normandie and his latest creation ‘R'Êve de Poire’. Finally, in the boutique, you will find a vast range of the Loterie cellars’ produce, with the possibility to taste before you buy. The sales area devoted to other local producers offers you an opportunity to discover a range of other local flavours. Guided cellar tours, followed by a tasting session (allow for around 1h30) by appointment all year round and at 2.30pm from the 9th of July to the 24th of August. Rates: €2 per person.