Cambremer Travel Guide

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Located in the main street is the 12th century St. Laurent Church. The door was open, so inside for a look I went. It was fairly plain but for the beautiful, stained glass windows, I really liked these. Worth having a look at.

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It is not unusual to find that locations as picturesque as Cambremer attract many painters, potters,glassmakers, wood workers and other craftsmen and women.

There are a number of galleries and shops in the high street where their works are on sale and frequent exhibitions in the Tithe Barn - Grange aux Dîmes.

But look out for a very busy little fella - he may have a paint brush in hand, giving directions or winding the church clock. He is up to everything - a man of many talents.
With the good sense to wear a hat on a very hot day too!

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Behind the Church there is a recently, beautifully restored Tithe Barn. A good bit smaller than the one in my home town in Abergavenny but probably from the same period and similar in design.

Unfortunately it was closed when we were there - preparing for the big exhibition due to open 2 days after - on the theme " Cambremer Raconte son Histoire" in which there was to be a lecture on Rollon the Viking founder of Normandy, as well as featuring some more recent local history.

It is a fine and attractive building which serves as a community hall and exhibition space. Art exhibitions take place frequently here and it provides the many local artists and craft workers with an excellent showcase.

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I thought this Church quite lovely in its simplicity and relatively unadorned decor.

While we were there several people came and went - to say a prayer, light a candle, bring flowers.

We were struck by the very simple memorial that commemorates Mr. Le Chanoine M.H. Lanier (1906 - 1952) He was the senior priest of the church.

He was apparently deported and incarcerated in Dachau.

The picture below the inscription on the wall of the nave shows a physicaly weak and wasted man on his release from the camp.
He served the Parish then until his early death in 1952.

There was no information about what led to his incarceration. One surmises activity in the Resistance.
He must have been a man of some courage and distinction as he was a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur - the memory created a poignant moment in this peaceful setting.

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This was not our first choice of restaurant but after seeing how busy the most highly rated restaurant in the village was, and what a heavy sounding lunch time menu it offered, we looked for something more modest.

It was a very hot day and the cool interior was perfect.
I noticed a single resident being shown to a specially prepared table in a shaded part of the small garden at the rear.
Once again we were the only "foreigners" and were served promptly and pleasantly by Pauline whose husband Julien takes care of the kitchen.

The 12 euro 2-course menu was very good value and my fish was good. A fairly simple meal but for " light lunchers" like us just right.