La Verdoyante : de Orbec à Lisieux

Installed within the 16th century ‘Old Manor’, of typical half-timbered Pay d’Auge construction, the museum focuses on local history, and on popular art and traditions. Brotherhood of charity adornments, Pré d’Auge ceramics.

Production of Calvados Pays d’Auge. Tours of the cider press, distillery and ageing cellars. Guided tour in French + tasting lasts: 1 hour.

Built in the early 20th century to commemorate Saint Thérèse, the basilica was consecrated in 1954. Covering a surface area of 4,500m² with a 95m high dome, it is one of the largest churches to have been built during the 20th century. Three nave crypt adorned with mosaic. Carmelite and Saint Thérèse exhibition. 35 minute film. Visits of the dome in July and August. Unaccompanied or guided tours (in summer): tour lasts 45 minutes.

Gothic construction began circa 1170 and was completed in the mid 13th century. The Flamboyant chapel behind the choir houses the tomb of Pierre Cauchon who became Bishop of Lisieux after Joan of Arc's trial. The parish church of St. Thérèse includes many commemorative objects. Free guided tours in July and August.

The Museum of Art and History in Lisieux, a certified "Musée de France", reopened its doors with a brand new scenography in June 2013. Located in one of the last remaining traditional half-timbered houses in Lisieux, the museum offers a chronological tour of the town's history, from its origins to the present day and via its many faces: From the Gallo-Roman to the medieval and classical city, via its textile industry, illustrious figures, reconstruction... Two specific themes are also covered: the Bishops of Lisieux and typical local inhabitations. A rich history, illustrated by over three hundred objects, paintings, photographs... However, the museum's most impressive asset cannot be contained within a display cabinet or even an exhibition area, for it is the town itself.

The Cospéan wing was created in the 17th century under Philippe Cospéan, Bishop of Lisieux at the time, to complement the XIIth and XIIIth century Bishop's Palace. The palace became national property in 1791, when the bishopric was abolished. Eight years later, the sub-prefecture and a prison moved in. The sub-prefecture remained until 1857 and the prison until 1907, before giving way to the Palais de Justice until 2020. After a terrible fire in 2000 and restoration work on the facade in 2011, the Cospéan wing is about to be completely restored and fitted out!

The house where Thérèse Martin lived as a child and up to the age of 15: dining room, Thérèse's bedroom (display cabinet with her toys), garden. Audio-guided tour in French, English, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Polish, Portuguese: 30 minutes.

Wax museum located within the Basilica of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and presenting 11 life-size scenes of her life. The highly realistic representation is commented in 6 languages: French, German, English, Spanish, Italian and Dutch.