The GR® 223 leads to Turqueville on the third day of hiking; the “Retour aux sources” circular trail also passes through the village. The routes represent different types of hikes: a stage on a multi-day long-distance trail and a shorter loop. The church, cemetery, and town hall add specific details about local heritage to the hiking theme. When planning, you can take both hiking time and an interest in history into account.
Hiking Routes and Durations
The third day of the GR® 223 covers an 18 km stage from Grand-Vey to Turqueville, estimated to take 4 hours and 30 minutes. The GR® 223 runs for a total of 8 days and 135 km from Isigny-sur-Mer to Anse du Brick. Turqueville is the destination for this day’s stage; the full route continues to Anse du Brick.
By contrast, the “Retour aux sources” circular trail is 10 km long, is rated easy, and is listed as taking three hours. The routes differ by 8 km, and their stated durations by one hour and 30 minutes. For your day’s planning, you can therefore choose between a longer long-distance hiking stage and a shorter loop with its own stated duration. Detailed hiking conditions may change; check them before setting out.
Villages and Stops Along the Circular Trail
The circular trail follows paths through the Bocage villages of the Plain; washhouses and wells line the route. Reuville is a stop on the circular trail in Turqueville. There you will find typical groupings of outbuildings, farmsteads, or old houses, as well as washhouses, basins, and wells. Bellefond is also a stop. The two places offer different points of interest: Reuville features several types of rural buildings and water sources, while Bellefond is known for a single manor house.
Churches and Other Heritage Details
The Eglise de Turqueville is classified as a “Monument historique” and has an irregular floor plan. Its features include a beautiful rood beam. Notre-Dame de Turqueville has wall paintings. They depict Christ of the Apocalypse together with the symbols of the Evangelists and six apostles. The paintings were discovered during the restoration of the choir.
A remarkable yew tree and a monumental sculpted cross stand in the Turqueville cemetery. Behind the town hall is a dovecote. The Croix de la Maillère in Turqueville was a milestone on the Roman road from Coutances to Barfleur. The local heritage details thus extend beyond the churches to include features of the cemetery, rural architecture, and a historical connection to a road.
Historical Dates
The dates relate to different aspects: construction of the Eglise dates largely to the 13th century, while the wall paintings at Notre-Dame date to the 14th century; Bellefond is considered a manor house dating from the 16th to the 19th century. The year 2008 marks the discovery of the paintings during the restoration of the choir.
Discover more destinations: Le Plessis-Lastelle, Bretteville-Sur-Ay, Saint-Georges-De-Bohon, Lessay, Saint-Fromond, Champeaux, Remilly-Sur-Lozon, Saint Planchers.
For the main travel overview: Manche.
