CERZA’s wildlife, the Hermival-les-Vaux walk, and the architectural history of Château d’Hermival and Église Saint-Germain give a stay in Hermival-les-Vaux a range of possible focuses. When planning, it helps to distinguish between the different ways of getting around: CERZA offers walking trails through wildlife areas, while the walk is a hike with a designated route, elevation gain and estimated duration. The historic buildings add several clearly dated construction phases to the nature and outdoor activities.
Wildlife at CERZA
Parc Zoologique de Cerza is located on DĂ©partementale 143 in 14100 Hermival-les-Vaux. The site covers almost 80 hectares and is home to 1,500 animals in semi-free-range habitats. It includes natural water sources and areas where animals can retreat. Pedestrians can follow two circular trails through the wildlife areas, with immersive viewing points and raised walkways.
Château and Église Saint-Germain
Château d’Hermival was built from the 16th century onward and is partially listed as a historic monument. The listing was registered on 19 January 1927 and covers the façades. The château also hosts weddings, private receptions and seminars. The start of construction and the listing of the façades mark different periods in its history.
The present-day Église Saint-Germain was built in the 19th century on the site of a Romanesque church dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Its plan is in the shape of a Latin cross and ends in a flat chancel termination, to which the sacristy is attached. The chancel termination marks the end of the choir. By contrast, the Latin-cross plan describes the form of the entire church building—two terms, therefore, for different architectural scales. The interior contains contemporary furnishings, including three stone altars inspired by Gothic art. The dates distinguish two churches on the same site: the Romanesque predecessor and the present-day building.
Hiking and leisure
The Hermival-les-Vaux walk starts at the church and Château d’Hermival; it initially follows a path through the forest. Along the way, it passes a manor house. Rated moderate, it covers 10 km, with 182 m of positive elevation gain and an estimated duration of 3 hours and 20 minutes. The difficulty rating gives you an idea of the hike, while the time estimate helps with planning your day. Check the current route and forest conditions before setting out.
The Boulodrome d’Hermival-les-Vaux consists of two outdoor pétanque courts behind the town hall.
Accommodation in Hermival-les-Vaux
The renovated Château d’Hermival operates as a guesthouse with five rooms and suites; each unit can accommodate two to six people. This capacity range applies to each room or suite, not to the property as a whole. If you would like to stay there, check current availability before making specific plans.
Discover more destinations: Livry, Saint-Martin-Aux-Chartrains, Courson, Fleury-sur-Orne, Saint-Vigor-Le-Grand, La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur, Mandeville-En-Bessin, Villons-Les-Buissons.
Back to the broader travel guide: Calvados.
