Domfront: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Domfront Castle stands on a spur of Armorican sandstone that formed a remarkable defensive site. Its visible remains include a keep and a chapel dating from the late 11th century, as well as a well-preserved curtain wall with loopholes.

Those choosing Domfront as a destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Culture and History

In the historic centre of Domfront, the fully paved and restored Cour Marie-du-Rocher provides passage to a 17th-century town house. Eleven towers of the old town fortifications are still visible; some have been incorporated into more recent buildings, while others stand free.

The Church of Saint-Julien, listed as a historic monument, has a choir with a Christ Pantocrator surrounded by saints, as well as symbolic stained-glass windows and seven dedicated chapels. It was built between 1924 and 1926 in reinforced concrete, in Neo-Byzantine and Art Deco styles.

The Romanesque Church of Notre-Dame-sur-l’Eau was built around 1020. It preserves a lantern tower, 12th-century frescoes, a recumbent tombstone unique in the Orne department, and a polychrome Madonna dating from the 14th century. Today, Notre-Dame-sur-l’Eau is open for self-guided or guided tours.

The Musée Charles Léandre houses around fifteen works donated by Charles Léandre, as well as a display about the botanist and explorer Auguste Chevalier. The Musée Charles Léandre in Domfront Town Hall exhibits paintings, furniture, ceramics and sculptures donated by local dignitaries. It can be visited free of charge throughout the year during the town hall’s opening hours, with no access restrictions.

Routes and Discoveries

The “Boucle de Domfront” is a 12-kilometre hiking route with a stated duration of around three hours. It passes through the medieval town, through the Val Nicol, and along the former tanneries and the Voie verte.

The walking routes of the “Circuits Historiques de Domfront” are marked by fixed stations and audio stations. The “Découvrez Domfront” app enhances the historical discovery experience with theatrical audio scenes and interactive games.

Anyone wishing to get from the Greenway to Domfront town centre and the tourist office, located more than 70 metres higher, must take the “La Véloscénie” route and push their bicycle because of the steep incline.

Visits and Regional Delicacies

The grounds of Domfront Castle can be visited free of charge and without a guide throughout the year.

At Calvados Comte Louis de Lauriston, guided tours of the ageing cellar are offered, followed by tastings of Calvados, Pommeau, Cidre, Poiré and apple juice. For the guided tour at Calvados Comte Louis de Lauriston, it is recommended to make an appointment in advance.

Other places: Heugon, L'aigle, Saint-Symphorien-Des-Bruyères, Ménil-Vin, Champosoult, Saint-Aubin-Des-Grois, Omméel, Parfondeval

To the higher-level travel overview: Orne.