For a trip to Magny-Le-Désert, the walking trail through the Gorges de Villiers offers a clear focus on nature: it leads to the Sources chaudes and the Chapelle Saint-Antoine; at a footbridge, you can take a detour to the Grotte de la fée Gisèle. Other highlights include the Église Notre-Dame, with its medieval features, and a visit to the Manoir de Durcet.

Walking trail, cave and springs

The walking trail starts at a car park between the Grand Evier junction and the Vallée de la Cour. It initially follows the “Gorges de Villiers” path, then continues along a yellow-marked trail. Check the markings on site before setting off. At a footbridge over the Gourbe, a 30-minute round trip leads to the Grotte de la fée Gisèle. Ten metres beyond the bridge, the trail reaches the “Sources chaudes”. The ground may be slippery near the river; take this into account when planning your visit.

Geology and landscape

The Gorges de Villiers formed in a layer of Armorican sandstone: a fault and erosion by running water shaped them. This landscape includes forests, heathland, scree slopes and a bog. The “Source chaude” provides water at a temperature of 15 °C all year round.

Church, chapel and history

The Église Notre-Dame in Magny-Le-Désert has a Norman bell tower dating from the 13th century and an external polygonal entrance tower from the same period. Polygonal describes a shape with multiple sides. The church has been listed as a Monument historique since 27 July 1927. Another historic stop is the Chapelle Saint-Antoine, reached by a forest road along the walking trail. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great, the patriarch of the Eastern coenobites. At the spring by the chapel, worshippers leave small crosses made from hazel wood or hazel branches on the stones; they are usually made on site. From 1864, the Vallée de la Cour was home to a spinning and weaving mill powered by steam and water.

Farming and tasting at the Manoir de Durcet

The Manoir de Durcet is located in the municipality of Magny-Le-Désert. It combines milk production with cider-making; products made from apples and pears are also produced. The visit includes milk production, livestock farming with calves and cows, and an educational farm. A tour takes visitors through workshops where cider products are made, ageing cellars for Calvados and traditional tall-standard orchards, and ends with a tasting. The visit is stated to be accessible to children and people with reduced mobility; check the arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Champosoult, Boucé, Neuvy-Au-Houlme, Tinchebray-Bocage, Saint-Fraimbault, Saint-Siméon, Nonant-Le-Pin, Saint-Germain-Dʼaunay

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