For inspiration of what to do in Villedieu-les-Poeles, visitors can take a look at the 2019 tourist guide. It’s produced in English and French and includes a map of the town to help you to plan your trip. Villedieu is an historic town that once housed various artisan trades ranging from lacemaking to metalworking. […]
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Historic Workshop Courtyards in Villedieu-les-Poêles
This picturesque view is one of 35 historic workshop courtyards to be found in the Normandy town of Villedieu-les-Poêles. This particular courtyard is called the Cour du Foyer (or the Furnace Courtyard) and houses the pan maker’s museum and the lace-making house. It’s one of the prettiest courtyards and is situated at the top end […]
Lace Making and Metalwork Crafts in Normandy
Lace making and metalwork are just two of the crafts that were once practised in Villedieu-les-Poêles in Normandy. The town is most famous for copper and a number of shops today sell a wide range of copper items. Brass and pewter were also worked here while pot makers, tanners, coppersmiths, salt merchants, lace makers, spinners, […]
What’s On – A Murder Mystery Evening In Normandy
Murder and mystery are coming to Normandy later this month. The evening will be hosted in the copper town of Villedieu-les-Poêles on Saturday 20 January. You’ll have the opportunity to meet French thriller writer Sire Cédric as well as questioning witnesses, solving riddles and arresting the killer. For more information about this free event, visit https://www.facebook.com/mediathequesvilledieuintercom/posts/517174215324270 […]
The bell foundry at Villedieu-les-Poêles in Normandy
The bell foundry at Villedieu-les-Poêles was opened in 1865 and is still in production today. The eight bells in the photo were made for the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and were put on public display before being installed in 2013. You can visit the workshop in Villedieu for a guided tour in either French, […]
Villedieu-les-Poêles – the Normandy copper town
Villedieu is traditionally known as a hub of metalwork production, particularly copper, brass and pewter. The word poêles refers to the copper pans that the town is famous for and inhabitants are known as Sourdins derived from sourd (deaf). Villedieu hosts a number of museums and workshops as well as a bell foundry. You’ll find […]