The Ay rises on the boundary between Gratot and La Vendelée and flows from there toward Ancteville. Saint-Sébastien Church includes a southern chapel and several historic objects; the Circuit de l’Ay complements this cultural perspective with a circular hike linking three villages. La Vendelée thus brings together a local river theme, church art history and a specific hiking option—three perspectives you can weigh differently when planning your trip.
Saint-Sébastien Church: Chapel and Historic Furnishings
The church’s southern chapel lies below the lower tower level and dates from the 15th century. The baptismal font and its cover are dated to the 16th century. The font is made of granite and is octagonal; its wooden cover tapers to a point. These details offer a way to compare different forms and materials, while the dates place the chapel and baptismal font in their historical context.
The bas-relief “The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian” is also located in the church. On 7 October 1935, it was designated as a protected historic object. The “poutre de gloire dite perque” and the “tabouret de chantre” are also in Saint-Sébastien. Alongside its architecture, the village’s cultural highlights thus include several specifically named objects. The relief, the baptismal font and its form, and the chapel each offer a different, tangible way to engage with the church.
The Ay and the Circuit de l’Ay
The Circuit de l’Ay circular hiking trail is 20 kilometres long. It links Ancteville, Servigny and La Vendelée, is marked in blue and signposted counterclockwise. Its clearly stated length and direction give the route a distinct profile for planning your trip. The route description was updated on 18 February 2025; check the route details locally again before setting out.
The River Ay also gives the circular trail a local connection, but the river and the route are distinct points of reference: the river rises on the boundary between Gratot and La Vendelée and flows toward Ancteville; the Circuit links three villages. The clear waters of the Ay rise among the green hills in the La Vendelée area. This places a specific geographical detail about the river’s source alongside a description of the hiking route, without equating their respective paths or courses.
Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests
Two different themes can guide your choice of trip: Saint-Sébastien, with its chapel and historic furnishings, or the 20-kilometre Circuit de l’Ay. One perspective focuses on church architecture and objects, while the other centres on a circular hike through three named villages. If you are looking for hotels in La Vendelée, you can first consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Longueville, Avranches, Montaigu-Les-Bois, Cuves, Geffosses, Le Ham, Équilly, Remilly-Sur-Lozon
For the main travel overview: Manche.
