There are two obvious ways to plan a trip to Moyaux: around the date of the Foire aux ânes or around exploring the trails, half-timbered houses and church. The festival requires you to plan your timing; for the other attractions, it is more a matter of choosing the route and local details that suit your interests. You can therefore plan your stay around the festival or focus on the village’s other features.

The Foire aux ânes: a set date in March

The Foire aux ânes has been held in Moyaux on the third Saturday in March every year for more than 30 years. Before travelling, it is worth checking the annual programme, as the events can vary from one edition to the next. The festival includes donkey parades, storytelling walks, Norman dances, conferences and donkey rides; a farmers’ market is also part of the event. Its offerings may also vary from one edition to the next. So if you are travelling for a particular event, check the current annual programme.

Trail network, walks and a marked route

Rando-Moyaux includes trails around the village and through the countryside. You can explore these trails on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or on a donkey. The Moyaux Sentiers & Nature association organises walks three to four times a month. The offerings therefore include both different ways of getting around the trail network and regular association walks. If you are interested in joining an organised walk, check the specific date in advance.

One specifically named route is the Chemin des chaumières. It starts at the church car park in Moyaux and is marked in green. Along the way, you can see a handsome 19th-century residence and two thatched cottages. In practical terms, this route’s starting point and markings distinguish it from the more general description of the Rando-Moyaux trail network. When choosing a route, you can therefore be guided either by the possible ways of getting around or by a named starting point.

The church and half-timbered houses in the village landscape

The Church of Saint-Germain has a 12th-century tower. Its eight-sided spire twists upward and appears crooked from every angle. Inside the church is also a very elongated oil painting, a copy of Philippe de Champaigne’s “Christ in the Tomb”. The tower and painting offer different points of interest: one is a striking architectural feature, the other a work with a specifically named original.

Half-timbered houses typical of Pays d’Auge architecture stand around Moyaux’s village square. The street layout is another characteristic feature: at least six streets converge in Moyaux. Along with the square and its half-timbered houses, the convergence of several streets is part of the village’s character.

Other local points of interest

The Les Bruyères Carré family cider mill is located in Moyaux. Its shop sells Cidre du Pays d’Auge AOP, Pommeau and Calvados. For visitors interested in these drinks, the cider mill is another local point of interest.

The Les grands galops equestrian centre is also located in Moyaux. If you plan to visit, check the visiting arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Lion-Sur-Mer, Le Pin, Ryes, Nonant, Méry-Corbon, Épron, Manvieux, Le Vey

For the regional travel overview: Calvados.