A small seaside resort located between Créances and Gouville-sur-Mer, on the Normandy coast, Pirou is as charming as its name. Filled with authenticity, this city turned towards tourism conceals unsuspected treasures, from a breathtaking natural heritage to its marked architectural heritage that will not fail to amaze lovers of old stones.
Along the English Channel, some forty kilometres from Saint-Lô, Pirou is the perfect destination for family holidays. What is striking on arriving in the commune of Pirou is its architecture. Rich, marked by centuries of history, it reveals to its curious visitors a whole host of wonderful places to discover, starting with its castle. Registered in the inventory of Historic Monuments, this 12th century fort, the oldest in all Normandy, takes place on a small island surrounded by a pond. Unquestionably, this medieval fortress is worth the detour for the splendour of its frames, its ceilings, its tapestries, its roofs and its decorations. Surrounded by an enclosure and moat, the castle has a bakery, a wine press, three fortified gates, walkways and a chapel that you can discover during your visit. Moreover, from the top of the square tower, an incredible panorama of the surroundings and the sea awaits you. Note also that the place, an ancient Viking site, is surrounded by legends, notably that of the Geese of Pirou: it is said that besieged by the Normans, the inhabitants of the castle asked for help from an enchanter, who, to save them, transformed them into geese thanks to an incantation noted in his grimoire. According to the same legend, when the inhabitants turned into geese came back the following year to read the incantation backwards and become human again, the castle had burned, as had the grimoire, condemning them to remain geese for the rest of their lives. A story that today, would explain the annual migration of wild geese that cross the whole Cotentin in March. But other places are worth a visit in Pirou, such as the 13th century church of Saint-Martin, the chapel of Saint-Michel, the Tortoise Mill and the remains of a 16th century windmill.
But the main asset of Pirou is above all its beach. Or rather, its beaches. Bordered by dunes, a pine forest and colourful moors, the beaches of Pirou are definitely its most beautiful attraction. With breathtaking views over the English Channel, wide sandy banks and numerous facilities for the whole family, they are a delight for young and old alike. You will be able to go fishing on foot, but also sailing, kitesurfing, paddle or surfing, as well as swimming and bubbling in the Norman sun. Surrounded by the two harbours of Geffosses and Saint-Germain-sur-Ay, the 5 km long coast of Pirou will be perfect for hiking enthusiasts who can, on foot or by bike, discover all the beauty of this corner of Normandy, meeting its abundant flora and fauna.
Visit of the harbour of Saint-Germain sur Ay with a shepherdess. Brewery "La Cotentine" in Barneville Carteret. Dunes of Créance.
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