Cricqueville-en-Bessin in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Le village
⎯⎯⎯
The village
Cricqueville-en-Bessin
| — | Mon village se raconte / My village tells its story | — |
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
1. Le village / The village Marker
Dès le XIIᵉ siècle, le site de Cricqueville est le seul port naturel entre Cherbourg et Le Havre.
Arcisse de Caumont appréciait cette église comme étant l'une des plus intéressantes du Bessin. Le chevet du XIIIᵉ siècle est des plus élégants : il présente trois fenêtres accotées de contreforts et surmontées d'un oculus. L'ensemble de l'édifice date du XIIIᵉ siècle, hormis la tour clocher élevée au XIVᵉ siècle.
Dans le chœur de l'église, les Rangers rejoignent les Poilus de 1914 et les victimes de 1944. Encadrée par les drapeaux américains et français, la plaque commémorative des deux guerres mondiales est complétée par l'effigie du Colonel Rudder en hommage à ses héroïques Rangers. La Pointe du Hoc est l'endroit où débarquent les Rangers américains qui doivent en escalader les trente mètres à pic.
Jusqu'au milieu du XXᵉ siècle, il y avait encore une épicerie qui faisait office de dépôt de pain, débit de tabac, marchand de grains.
Légendes
(Photo #1) L'église côté Sud (Coll. Part.)
(Photo #2) La charpente
this page online
(Photo #3) L'ancien presbytère. (Coll. Part.)
From the 12th century onwards, the site of Cricqueville was the only natural port between Cherbourg and Le Havre. The place was known as 'Crycavilla', because of its deep-water creek, to the west of the Pointe du Hoс.
Arcisse de Caumont admired this church as one of the most interesting in the Bessin region. The 13th century chevet is one of the region's most elegant. Three of its windows have buttresses resting on them, and are surmounted by an oculus. The whole building dates from the 13th century, apart from the 14th century bell tower.
In the choir of the church, the Rangers join the 'Poilus' (French World War I infantrymen) of 1914 and the victims of 1944. There is a plaque, flanked by the American and French flags, commemorating the two World Wars. It is completed by the effigy of Colonel Rudder, in homage to the heroic Rangers, who scaled the 30-metre high Pointe du Hoc with pickaxes, under enemy fire, in June 1944.
Until the mid-20th century, there was still a grocer's here, which also served as a bread shop, a tobacconist and a grain merchant.
Captions
(Photo #1) The church on the south side (Private collection)
(Photo #2) The timber frame (Private collection)
(Photo
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
2. Le village / The village Marker (left side marker)
Erected by Cricqueville-en-Bessin. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1944.
Location. 49° 22.613′ N, 1° 0.045′ W. Marker is in Cricqueville-en-Bessin, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is at the intersection of Route de la Coquerie and Ham. du Presbytère, on the right when traveling west on Route de la Coquerie. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Rte de la Coquerie, Cricqueville-en-Bessin, Normandie 14450, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Les belles demeures / The beautiful houses (here, next to this marker); The Pointe-du-Hoc: the Feat of the 2nd Ranger Battalion (approx. 2 kilometers away); Pointe du Hoc (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Preparing to Invade (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Bravery Under Fire (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Ranger Casualties (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); a different marker also named Pointe du Hoc (approx. 2.4 kilometers away); Le patrimoine bâti / The built heritage (approx. 3.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cricqueville-en-Bessin.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
3. Le village / The village Marker
The view of the markers from across the street.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
4. Le village / The village Marker
The view of the markers with the Notre-Dame church of Cricqueville-en-Bessin in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
