Of the castle that once belonged to the Harcourt family, hitherto known as the Versailles of Normandy, all that remains today are the park and the scorched facade of the former entrance vestibule, the chapel and the outbuildings. It was once one of the finest buildings in Normandy. The castle, which once boasted a total of 264 windows, was comprised of a vast gallery overlooking the River Orne below, and of ten aligned lounges which led to the chapel. On the 12th of August 1944, as the British 59th Infantry Division reached the outskirts of Thury-Harcourt, the infamous SS Das Reich division that occupied the town set fire to the castle, reducing its precious furnishings to cinders, along with over 150 old paintings and a library with over 15,000 books.

With our bike hire service, you can explore the Suisse Normande region on mountain bikes, VTCs, electric bikes and adapted bikes on the greenway towards Caen or Clécy, and on the mountain bike trails accessible from the entrance to the open-air base.

The Suisse Normande Route takes you on a journey through rugged and steep landscapes as you meander your way along the winding banks of the Orne. From Saint-Omer, a number of breathtaking viewpoints offer you panoramic views from the ‘Pain de Sucre’ and the ‘Rochers des Parcs’ that comprise the Crest Route.

These steep rocks, known as the 'sugar bread', cover a 171 metre height difference through heaths, woodland, acidophilic grassland and meadows.

The River Orne runs alongside the abrupt crags, dominated by a rock referred to as the Pain de Sucre (literally sugar bread), at the extremity of the La Houle rocks with which it forms the "Route des Crêtes" (the Crest Route).

Nestling in the heart of Norman Switzerland, the village of Clécy has managed to safeguard and enhance its built heritage and preserve a remarkable and renowned landscape
The projects carried out over the years are in perfect harmony with the spirit and objectives of the "Village de caractère du Calvados" label that the commune obtained in 2018.
Clécy is the ideal base from which to explore the verdant panoramas of this Swiss Normandy, the Vélofrancette, the Rochers des Parcs, the Pain de Sucre, the Eminence or the Croix de la Faverie. Nature is nearby, it surrounds Clécy: no wonder that its surroundings are identified by lovers of the outdoors and adrenaline as a corner of freedom. Below the village, they can admire the large loop that the river draws in the rocks of the Armorican massif.

André Hardy, an artist who tried his hand at many things and always with pleasure, invites you to what was once his home to admire the great diversity of his work. Come and discover Suisse Normande over a collection of more than 100 paintings and other exceptionally colourful works by the Impressionist painter.


Opening hours: ask at the tourist office.

This emblematic Suisse Normande site is well known for its rocky escarpments and can be visited from below, along the banks of the Orne, or from above, along the pathway that overlooks the cliff. It is a particularly popular site among climbing enthusiasts. The wealth and the originality of its natural environment (heath, dry grassland, wooded hills...) render the site a remarkable natural area.

Rental of power-assisted bikes and standard bikes at the épicerie du Coing (Grocery Store), located in the heart of the village of Pont-d'Ouilly, an ideal starting point for discovering Suisse Normande

The Charles Léandre Museum has met with increasing popularity among visitors who appreciate the originality of its museographical displays and the quality of its collections. Over and above paintings by the artist and caricaturist Charles Léandre (1862-1934), other collections include Norman artists, among which an area devoted to Eduardo-León Garrido (1856-1949) and his son Louis-Edouard (1893-1982). On the last floor of the museum, an innovative scenographic display tells the story of this very old industrial town, of its illustrious figures and of the tragic hours of World War II.

Unique in Normandy, a must-see: the scale-model of old Condé (40m2) which, just like the Plan of Rome, reminds us of the town's topography prior to the bombardments on the 6th of June 1944.

Opened in 2016, a new gallery pays tribute to contemporary Norman art, with work by the artist Jack Mutel (1935-2016).

Bring the whole family to Le monde Miniature for a unique adventure in Normandy, driven for over 50 years by an incredible family passion and a genuine pleasure in sharing. Discover one of the most fabulous miniature worlds ever built in Europe. Outside, there's a train to take you around the site, another G-scale train to discover, lime kilns to visit and a huge children's play area. Bar area. Snack bar during opening hours. Store selling local and organic produce.

Pets welcome.

Opening hours: details on website.