The history of Normandy can be read in the narrow streets of this Calvados town. Discover its granite and slate heritage and its culinary delights.
A stroll through Vire takes you back in time. Fortified since the 11th century, the town was one of the theatres of conflict between the kingdoms of France and England. The keep, the Coulonces tower and the Porte-Horloge, once considered the main entrance to the town, are remnants of this period. A witness to the Second World War, Vire was bombed and rebuilt in granite and slate in 1963 after 18 years of renovation. The Tourist Office’s historical walk will take you to these heritage sites, including those linked to the reconstruction, and a visit to the museum will immerse you in the fascinating history of those who “made” Vire. Then take the Bouille path, which offers one of the best views of the town.
Butter and andouille, naturally
A real jewel in the crown of Norman gastronomy, Andouille de Vire is a real institution. This sausage is made from pork chops cut into thin strips, pickled in brine and smoked over beech wood. Its irregular marbling distinguishes it from its neighbour, Guéméné. Come and visit Lesoeuf, Asselot, Paul Danjou or Jacky Leduc, who will be happy to share their passion with you. And don’t forget to book your All Saints weekend (la Toussaint): every year, the andouille fair puts this local speciality in the spotlight. Dairy products are also a vocation. The site of the former Vire-Normandie butter factory is now part of the heritage of the Bocage. This building and its industrial chimney were built to house the Fortin butter factory, which operated for over a century.
Thrills in the heart of nature
You’ll fall in love with the Lac de la Dathée (Dathée Lake), just a few kilometres from Vire. A 6 km trail takes you around the lake to its bird sanctuary and leisure centre. Jump into a kayak in this 100% natural environment! For thrill seekers, the Viaduc de Souleuvre is the place to be. There’s bungee jumping, tree climbing and tobogganing. It’s a great way to take in the breathtaking scenery. The viaduct is the former railway line, built at the end of the 19th century to Gustave Eiffel’s design, and rises 61m above the river!
Cycling getaways
Vire is on the main Vélomaritime and Velowestnormandy routes linking the famous D-Day Landing Beaches with Bayeux and the Mont-Saint-Michel. A very pleasant place to stop. And if you’d like to spend a few hours cycling, there’s a greenway, mountain bike trails and small country roads ideal for discovering the Gorges de la Vire, which follow two rivers through a landscape of wooded hills and valleys.