Culture and History
In the la Ville district of Espins stands the Church of Saint-Pierre. Its construction history includes a heavily modified Romanesque choir from the 12th century, a nave rebuilt between 1759 and 1763, and an apse and bell tower from the 19th century. The church has carved corbels featuring head representations.
The Ferme de Foudenpant includes a tithe barn from the 14th century and a priory house that was rebuilt in the 16th century and modified in the 19th century. The tithe barn and the coat-of-arms-decorated fireplace of the Ferme de Foudenpant were listed as protected monuments by decree of 19 June 1995. The former manor house of Val Richer Abbey is known as the Ferme de Foudenpant.
The Foupendant flint mine in Espins has been archaeologically dated to the period between 5000 and 4750 BC. It is one of the few known flint extraction sites from the Danubian Neolithic.
Anyone planning a stay in Espins may wish to find a holiday apartment.
Hiking
The D’Espins au Moulin du Traspy circular hiking trail is a walking route of approximately 7 km around Espins. Along the way, visitors can learn about the history of Espins through its hamlets and the Moulin du Traspy. The circular route begins at the town hall car park in Espins.
Le Moncel is a village built on a valley slope, with old lanes lined by slate houses typical of the region around Thury-Harcourt.
Surroundings
The surroundings of Espins include Château d’Harcourt, a castle; Château de Fresney-le-Puceux, a castle; Château d’Outrelaize, a castle; the ruins of Abbaye de Barbery; and Mont d’Ancre, a mountain.
In the wider regional surroundings of Espins are Mont Pinçon, a mountain, and the Jardin des plantes de Caen, a botanical garden.
