Sainte-Mère-l'Église – Sainte-Mère-Église Church loop from Cauquigny

Hiking trails & Routes

Sainte-Mère-l'Église – Sainte-Mère-Église Church loop from Cauquigny

Moderate

3.0

(1)

hikers

Sainte-Mère-l'Église – Sainte-Mère-Église Church loop from Cauquigny

02:09

8.23km

60m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: November 7, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Parc naturel régional des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

21 m

View of the Marais de la Chuque

Highlight • Viewpoint

Magnificent walk in the surrounding marshes, in a quite unique landscape! Discovery of a facet of Normandy.

Translated by Google •

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3.92 km

Sainte-Mère-Église Market

Highlight • Settlement

The market always takes place on Thursday.

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4.09 km

The original church dating from the 11th to 13th centuries was largely destroyed during WWII when it was bombed to repel German snipers who had entrenched themselves in the steeple. The modern stained glass window of the portal represents the air landing of American troops. The mannequin hanging from the end of his parachute hanging from the church spire recalls the tragic adventure of Private Steele, who was dropped on the night of June 6. For two hours, he pretended to be dead, while the alarm bells kept ringing below him.

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4.16 km

Sainte-Mère-Église Church

Highlight • Religious Site

During the night of June 5, 1944. A fire raged in this village. Everyone helps put out the fire. The light of the fire was then interpreted by an American plane pilot as being a sign that these passengers had been released. American paratroopers land by mistake in the town.

One of the paratroopers is carried by his parachute onto the church tower where he remains hanging for hours, while the fighting rages below him. This is one of the most incongruous stories of the landing of June 6, 1944. You discover this in this town that has become legendary for history buffs.

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4.17 km