Poilley’s history is reflected in different layers of time: in the Vieux Pont over the Sélune, the surviving parts of the former Montmorel Abbey and Saint-Martin Church. The story of Saint-Ortaire is also part of this heritage. Alongside these cultural and historical themes, the greenway between Poilley and Mont-Saint-Michel offers another way to experience the area. This lets you distinguish between architectural and religious history and a specific route for cyclists and pedestrians when planning your trip.
The Sélune and Vieux Pont
The Sélune forms a natural boundary along almost two-thirds of Poilley’s municipal perimeter and shapes the landscape with numerous meanders. The Vieux Pont lies on this river, separating Poilley from Ducey and partly located in Poilley. The river and the bridge offer two different perspectives on the local geography: the landscape along much of the municipal perimeter and a single structure between two places.
The Vieux Pont dates from the 17th century and was built in 1613. It was listed as a historic monument by decree of 19 August 1975. The construction year and the date of protection mark different chapters: the bridge’s creation and its later designation as a protected monument.
Montmorel: surviving parts and protected status
The former Montmorel Abbey was founded in 1160 by Rual du Homme. The surviving parts include the abbot’s residence, the remains of the east wing of the cloister, the leprosarium and the mills. These components convey a broader picture of the former abbey than a single building: the surviving parts include the abbot’s residence, remains of the cloister and other structures.
The site of the former Montmorel Abbey is privately owned. It is partly protected as a classified and registered historic monument; the relevant protection orders date from 6 February 1980 and 2 July 2007. Private ownership and monument protection describe different aspects of the site: its ownership status on the one hand and its designation under heritage law on the other.
Saint-Martin and local tradition
Saint-Martin Church has architectural features dating from the 12th, 16th and 18th centuries. The altarpiece from Montmorel dates from the 15th century and was protected as movable cultural property on 13 April 1905. Saint-Martin therefore brings together architectural history spanning several centuries and a work of art with its own history of origin and protection.
The tradition surrounding Saint-Ortaire represents another layer of time. According to this tradition, he was born in 482 in the village of Hermy in Poilley. The Saint-Ortaire spring is also part of local religious tradition: according to local belief, its water has healing properties for ailments that impair the life and activity of the limbs. The account of his birth links a place to a year; the story of the spring relates a local belief.
The greenway as a focus in its own right
The greenway connects Poilley with Mont-Saint-Michel, is 16 kilometres long and is used by cyclists and pedestrians. This makes it a different travel focus from the historical themes: here the emphasis is on a specific route and how it is used, while the other themes concern the buildings, surviving parts of the abbey and religious traditions. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider the greenway as a focus in its own right alongside the cultural history.
Discover more destinations: Carentan, Héauville, La Meurdraquière, Dragey-Ronthon, Surville, Courcy, Ozeville, Les Loges-sur-Brécey.
For the overview of the wider region: Manche.
