Travel with his dog

You’ve probably already said to yourself that visiting a city is complicated when you have a dog, haven’t you? So you left your pooch in someone else’s hands for a weekend… Forget it! It’s possible to visit Villedieu-Les-Poêles even with your faithful companion! That’s why today we’ve organized a coupled tour, where your pooch will be accepted everywhere.

We start by following the town’s famous historical trail. Departing from the Tourist Office, it takes you on a 1.5km tour of the city’s treasures. A free leaflet is available from the Tourist Office to give you all the information you need about the monuments, as well as precise details of the route. Along the way, you’ll find a dozen or so panels explaining the history of the “cité sourdine”… Enough to keep our beloved pooch interested!

Along the way, we pass a number of must-see sites. First, the Cornille-Havard Bell Foundry. Want to know how bells are created? This is the place! During a 45-minute guided tour, you’ll learn all about the art of bell making. The founders will have no secrets for you. Dogs are of course welcome throughout the tour, whether large or small.

We continue our stroll via the Place de la République and its shopping street, as well as the Métiers d’Arts district. Here, artisans showcase their unique skills. Stained glass, tapestry, ceramics, watchmaking, leatherwork, goldsmiths, stringed instrument makers, pottery… There’s something for everyone. And why not a leather collar made in Villedieu for our companion?

Beautiful woman is holding her cute dog, drinking coffee and smiling in cafe

Noon is fast approaching and it’s already time to eat… Don’t panic, there are restaurants in town that are happy to serve us with our companion. Fancy a buckwheat pancake? Stop off at La Flambée des Cuivres or La Cuisine de Léonie. Prefer a traditional restaurant? Then head for L’Atelier, Le Saint-Pierre or the warmly decorated Jardin Samovar. Or even the semi-gastronomic Ferme de Malte. There’s something for everyone!

Once we’ve enjoyed our meal, all we have to do is cross the street and we’re at the Atelier du Cuivre. Just in time for the 2pm tour! Here, a coppersmith (i.e., a craftsman who works on site) takes us on a guided tour. Between two copper stove restorations, he takes an hour off work to explain his fascinating trade… All in an authentic, well-preserved setting. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about their work, and take a tour of the store at the end of your visit. You’ll be amazed at what can be done with copper.

It’s nearly 3 p.m. and we’re on our way again to complete the few remaining meters of the historic route. We pass through the Cour du Foyer, the only courtyard-workshop listed as a historic monument. We then descend to the restored lavoirs along the Sienne river.

In the vicinity, we notice a few hiking signs. This is perfect, because after these two visits, our dog is in the mood for a romp. We follow the yellow markings, which refer to the Green Belt. This 11km hike gives us beautiful views over the town, while still being in the heart of the Normandy countryside. Only the cows disturb the silence of this verdant stroll! Our little companion is captivated. Most of the circuit is made up of quiet paths, where we can leave our little friend a little ballast.

Our day ends with this walk. Rendezvous at our accommodation where we’ll spend the night before setting off on new adventures. And on this subject, we had several choices on the spot: Le Fruitier hotel, Domaine des Chevaliers de Malte, Camping des Chevaliers de Malte, B&B Saultchevreuil, Saint-Pierre, Ferme de Malte… and many others in the vicinity, even gîtes if we wished to spend the week there.