Les Hauts de Monthuchon

Park in the car park at Monthuchon Town Hall on the D57.

(S/E) From the car park, walk past L’Aumône, then turn right towards La Guérie de Haut, staying on the path.

(1) At the end of the path, turn right then immediately left, towards La Guérie de Bas and then Les Vaux. After passing Les Vaux, turn right onto the path and continue to Village Fillastre.

(2) After the hamlet, turn right towards Les Landes. Continue straight on to Hôtel Perrine, then carry on along this road to La Houssaye.

(3) Turn right onto the road and join the D101. On this road, turn right once, then a second time a few metres further on onto the D535. At the next junction, turn left towards the D971.

(4) Cross this road carefully and head diagonally left to stay on the minor road towards the Bois des Trois Cônes. A path branches off to the right at the edge of this woodland. Follow it to the Croix Marie, cross the road and take the new path opposite.

(5) Take the first path on the right to stay on the track running parallel to the D57. Carry on straight ahead until you reach the Manoir de Haut.

(6) Continue straight on to rejoin the D57.

(7) Cross it carefully and take the path towards Les Champs. At the next junction, turn right then immediately left onto a new path leading to L’Écauderie.

(8) Continue straight ahead on the road to cross the area and join the D971.

(9) Turn left towards Coutances, then take the first road on the right. At the first bend, a path begins on the right. Take this path and turn right again at the next junction. You will then pass by fields and houses and reach the village of Monthuchon. On the D57, turn right to reach the village hall (S/E).

Blue markings.

Difficulty: very steep terrain.

Restaurant; public toilets; water point.

Point of interest – Buffalo Bill

William Frederick Cody (1846–1917), better known as Buffalo Bill, is said to have descended from the local L’Escaudey family, who settled in Monthuchon. It is said to have all begun when several members of this family left to settle in the Channel Islands in the 15th century. Their descendant, Philippe l’Escaudey, is said to have in turn left Jersey to cross the Atlantic and settle in New England before emigrating to the state of Massachusetts in 1698. His descendant is said to be none other than Buffalo Bill.

The church at Monthuchon

This church is a typical example of a small rural church. It dates from the 16th century and has undergone few alterations. The chapel, known as Saint-François, was built in the 16th century by François de Guesnon to serve as a burial place for his family. His coat of arms can be seen above the entrance door. On the north wall of the chancel, you will notice a stone sculpture group depicting a "Mater Dolorosa", or Sorrowful Mother, with Saint Clair and Saint William on either side of the Virgin, who holds her son on her lap. This group, likely from the 15th century, was listed as a "Historic Monument" in 1908.
The “Mater Dolorosa” is a universal theme that has been depicted since antiquity. This representation extends beyond strictly religious contexts into secular art (Van Eyck, Veronese, Titian, etc.), reusing the theme to humanise maternal grief and that of the nation, particularly in war memorials from the First World War. Healing saint: Saint Martin.

The Thaddeus Cross

(Known as the ‘Marie Cross’). This cross, visible on your left, was named the ‘Thaddeus Cross’ after the Irishman killed at this spot on his return from a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. It was originally made of granite. Destroyed during the Revolution in 1793, it was subsequently rebuilt in wood before being replaced by a cast-iron cross in 1900. It was restored in 2009.

L'Écauderie
This charming hamlet, where Cambernon stone is a prominent feature, is the source of the Bulsard stream. From here, the stream flows into the Soulles at the Soulles bridge.

The paths of Saint-Michel

After crossing the RD971, the route climbs towards the village of Monthuchon, following the paths of Saint-Michel. The "Chemin du Littoral", which starts in Cherbourg, passes through Lessay, known for its Romanesque abbey church and its annual fair, before heading inland towards Coutances, the capital of the diocese and the region’s transport hub. Beyond this, the Saint-Michel route follows the route of the old Roman road towards Avranches, but turns off towards Montmartin-sur-Mer, where a renowned international fair was held in the Middle Ages, and towards Granville, a town founded during the Hundred Years’ War to control the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.