Lisieux

Lisieux is a town of 20,000 people (2020) in Lower Normandy. Its basilica attracts many pilgrims each year because of its association with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

Get in

By train on the Paris-Cherbourg and Paris-Trouville/Deauville main lines.

See

Lisieux Cathedral

• 1 Lisieux Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Lisieux). one of Normandy's first Gothic buildings (updated Jun 2017)
• 2 Basilica of St. Thérèse, Lisieux. second largest pilgrimage site in France (updated Jun 2017)
• 3 Château de Saint-Germain-de-Livet. (updated Jun 2017)

Do

• 1 Chateau de Bruil, Le Breuil en Auge, ☏ +33 2 31 65 60 00. tours 09:00-12:00, 14:00-21:00. Guides tour of the calvados distillery and aging cellars followed by pommeau and calvados tasting and a visit to the shop. 
• Château et Jardins Boutemont, 7 Chemin de Bouttemont, 14100 Ouilly le Vicomte (drive 10 minutes north of Lisieux town centre, follow signs to Ouilly le Vicomte and the chateau), ☏ +33 2 31 31 93 76, contact@chateaudeboutemont.com. April: weekends 14:00-18:00, May-June: weekends 11:00-18:00, Tu-F 14:00-18:00, July-August: Tu-F 11:00-18:00, 1-17 Sep: weekends 11:00-18:00, Tu-F 14:00-18:00, 19 Sep-2 Nov: weekends 14:00-18:00, closed Mondays. The history of Boutemont castle dates back to around 1000, when a rudimentary military tower was built on a mound to control the lower Touques valley. During the Norman era, successive lords of Boutemont built their home nearby, the origin of the current castle buildings. From 1405 onwards, the Boutemonts were succeeded by other noble families who added to the castle during the 16th century. In 1697, the Le Bas family took over Boutemont during the reign of Louis XIV, building the stone and brick facade of the main building, and opening the wall towards the gardens. Over time, the castle fell into ruin, and was bought by the Drouilly family in 1915. They commissioned famous landscape gardener Achille Duchene, who transformed the surrounding park and gardens. Adults €9.00, seniors €8.00, children over 7-17 years €7.00, children under 7 free. (updated Jul 2023)

Eat

• 1 Le Dauphine, Rue de l'Église 2, 14130 Le Breuil-en-Auge (9 km (5.6 mi) north), ☏ +33 231650811. Lunch: Tu-Su 12:15-14:00; dinner: Tu Th 19:15-21:00, F Sa 19:15-21:30. A gourmet restaurant. Specialities include St Jacque shell ravioli, sea bass in potato scales, and the Calvados soufflé from Breuil. Two courses €36-39, three courses £47-57. (updated Jul 2023)

Go next

• Deauville
• Caen
• Falaise
• Évreux