Church Notre Dame de la Visitation

The church of Blonville - Terre, Notre-Dame de la Visitation (XIIth century), has already a long history of almost a thousand years behind it! Indeed, part of the bell tower dates from the 12th century. Its history is inseparable from that of Blonville-sur-Mer. The place where the church is built may seem incomprehensible nowadays, with the development since the end of the 19th century of Blonville-sur-Mer on the coast, but during the past centuries, the population of the town was essentially rural and the coastal edge seemed inhospitable to them. In particular, the marshland was much more extensive than it is today.

In 1859, the archaeologist Arcisse de Caumont gave a precise description of the present church. It is oriented East-West, as for all the churches. What appears to be the oldest are the bases of the bell tower and the choir, dated to the 11th and 13th centuries. It is likely that the original building occupied the present choir and bell tower. This modest ensemble was completed from the end of the 15th century by a large nave. This enlargement took place after the end of the Hundred Years' War during which Normandy had suffered terribly from the presence of English and French troops and their mercenaries. The end of the 15th century, which corresponds to the Renaissance, saw a remarkable demographic development supported by an increase in resources, mainly agricultural, and wealth. Buildings of this type are then again possible.

The Association for the Church of Our Lady of the Visitation offers visits in summer: see the agenda.