Barbery brings together traces of a former Cistercian abbey, churches and a long history of brickmaking. The village also lies on the edge of the Cinglais Forest. For planning your trip, this offers a clear choice between exploring cultural heritage and focusing on the landscape.
Abbey and Churches: History in Buildings and Art
The former Notre-Dame de Barbery Abbey was founded as a Cistercian abbey in 1177. Its abbey church was consecrated in 1246. The two dates mark different milestones: the monastery was founded first, followed later by the consecration of the church. Today, part of the façade and several buildings remain of Barbery Abbey. The abbey is privately owned and can be seen from the public road.
A work of art connects the abbey's history with Saint-Pierre Church. A statue of the “Virgin and Child” stands in the choir, against the south wall. It very likely comes from the abbey choir and is dated to the first half of the 18th century. This connection makes the former monastery tangible through a specific work of art in the church as it stands today.
Saint-Pierre Church also tells a story of architectural changes. Only the decorated portal of the nave survives in its original form; the church was remodelled over the centuries. Another church is Saint-Martin in Mesnil-Touffray (Barbery). After being partly destroyed in the 18th century, it was remodelled; its structural framework is made of stone from Quilly. At Saint-Pierre, the focus is on the original portal; at Saint-Martin, it is on the framework material and the history of the remodelling.
Barbery Bricks and Their Regional Use
Brickmaking is also part of Barbery's history. The historic brickworks operated from the 14th to the 18th century. Roof tiles from Barbery were often used on roofs in Caen. They were purchased for Caen Castle in the 15th century; bricks from Barbery were also used for Falaise Castle. The period shows how long production continued, while these specific uses make its regional reach tangible. Together, the details tell two sides of the story: the operation of the brickworks in Barbery and the use of their products in the region's architectural history.
Hiking on the Edge of the Cinglais Forest
The “Terre, eau et patrimoine en Cingal” route heads towards Barbery Abbey and then into the Cinglais Forest. This hike takes about 4.5 hours and follows marked, maintained paths through the Calvados area. You can use this approximate duration as a guide when planning your day. As route information may change, check the current route before setting out. The sequence is useful when choosing your day's activities: the trail first takes in cultural heritage, then the forest landscape. The hike thus combines a cultural element with a later stretch through the forest.
Discover more destinations: Hotot-en-Auge, Campandré-Valcongrain, Fontenay-le-Pesnel, Annebault, Gonneville-sur-Honfleur, Amayé-sur-Orne, Saint-Paul-du-Vernay, Cheffreville-Tonnencourt
For the broader travel overview: Calvados.
