Vindefontaine was one of the most important pottery centres in the Cotentin. Pottery production in Vindefontaine appears to have begun at the end of the Middle Ages and ended in 1894. From the mid-18th century onwards, the production of butter pots for merchants from Isigny was the largest branch of production in Vindefontaine. Ten pottery workshops are recorded for 1815.
Culture and History
The Collection de Poteries Anciennes is a permanent exhibition in the town hall featuring functional and decorative ceramics from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Vindefontaine can put this place on their list of potential destinations.
The Église Saint-Martin in Vindefontaine houses a wooden crucifix (“Christ en croix”), carved and painted in the 17th century, which was placed under protection as a movable cultural object on 27 April 1973. The transept and choir of the Église Saint-Martin date from the late 13th or early 14th century.
Abbé Godefroy, parish priest of the community from 1858 to 1880, founded the Chapelle de la Salette in Vindefontaine. The Chapelle de la Salette was built within 14 months by members of the community and volunteer workers. Thousands of pilgrims gathered at the Chapelle de la Salette and on its esplanade on the Sunday closest to 19 September.
Landscape and Trails
The imposing square tower of the Église Saint-Martin rises above the marshlands of Sèves and Douve. In the Landes de Vindefontaine, ponds have replaced the former clay pits. La lande de Mortefemme covers 58 hectares and is associated with Barbey d’Aurevilly’s 1844 novel “L’Ensorcelée”.
The Vindefontaine circular trail is classified as a very easy hike with a duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Vindefontaine hiking trail starts at 7 Rue de la Salette, 50250 Picauville.
More local pages: Gratot, Muneville-Le-Bingard, Chérencé-Le-Roussel, Urville-Nacqueville, Saint-Jean-De-Daye, Émondeville, Le Theil, Sainteny.
