Circuit-Découverte Douvres-la-Délivrande

Notre Dame de la Fidélité. This chapel is one of the first monumental buildings to use slabs of glass, an architectural technique of which René Lalique was the forerunner and which he used for the first time in the Coty building in New York in 1912. A listed Historic Monument, this superb ensemble has been restored in keeping with Lalique's original work, designed in 1930 for the Community Centennial. Not to be missed: Christ on a translucid cross, three windows, a tabernacle door, illuminated columns and a sanctuary lamp. Visits on request - please call 02 31 37 30 17.

Place of worship and prayer since the 12th century. The current building, which replaced the Romanesque chapel (1150), was built between 1854 and 1895 in the neo-Gothic style, inspired by the 13th century by the Rouen architect Jacques Barthélémy. The basilica houses the statue of Notre-Dame la Délivrande. The Délivrande pilgrimage is the oldest in Normandy, following a pagan cult. In the Middle Ages, it was as famous as that of Mont-Saint Michel. A procession always takes place in August. The first dated statue of Our Lady, dating from the Middle Ages, was destroyed by Protestants in 1561. The present stone statue is a black virgin which was donated in 1580 by Canon Legendre. Free guided tours in french at 5pm on Wednesdays in July and August and on request for groups all year round.

Listed on the Historic Monument's supplementary inventory on the 7th of April 1975, the shop was built by Georges Lesage in 1901, following plans drawn up by the Caen-based architect Rouvray, one of Hector Guimard's former pupils. It is a three floor Baroque style house in the early 20th century composite style. The entrance is the most picturesque feature with a floral grid, petal-shaped window arch and an impressively high and narrow door. Visits of the outside only.

Romanesque church. The choir and the two side aisles date back to the 14th century. The nave, characterized by ogival arches, was more recently built. The bell tower, a combination of a Romanesque tower and a Gothic spire, is the oldest part of the building. It comprises three levels and an octagonal pyramid spire flanked by eight ridge turrets

Its comprises two buildings in a three-hectare park. The entrance gate dates back to the 15 th century and was consolidated in the 19th century. The main building dates from 14 th and 15th centuries. Douvres became a barony in 1072 when Thomas of Dover ( 1st Archbishop of York, companion of William the Conqueror), it was then turned into a manor house and became the Bishop of Bayeux's country house. During the 18th century, it was rented to farmers and became a national property during the French Revolution. It has been renovated by the town of Douvres-la Délivrande and children can now enjoy a nice garden and a playground. Only french spoken Lectures, usually of a historical nature, on the last Thursday of January, February, March, May, October and November. Guided tours for groups, schools, etc. by appointment.