Cricqueville-en-Bessin in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Les belles demeures
⎯⎯⎯
The beautiful houses
Cricqueville-en-Bessin
| — | Mon village se raconte / My village tells its story | — |
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
1. Les belles demeures / The beautiful houses Marker
Sur la commune, de nombreuses demeures ont un caractère architectural spécifique. La ferme Laubel est une construction du XVᵉ siècle avec une superbe tourelle à l'arrière qui cache un très bel escalier en pierres. Le ferme Suhard a une partie de la fin du XVIIIᵉ siècle (1769) et la seconde est du début du XIXᵉ siècle (1806).
Le château de Manneville date de 1739. Il y avait d'un côté le château et de l'autre l'exploitation agricole. Le châtelain mettait en gérance la ferme à un fermier. Le château a énormément souffert en 1944 et a été occupé par une troupe de soldats allemands. Le jour du Débarquement il n'y avait plus de commandement au château. Par contre trois canons étaient toujours orientés vers la Pointe du Hoc. Les troupes américaines arrivant vers le château se sont méfiées en voyant les trois canons prêts à tirer.
Le saviez-vous?
Au XIXᵉ siècle, la Pointe du Hoc est célébrée par le peintre Georges Seurat qui fut l'un des inventeurs de la théorie du pointillisme. « Le bec du Hoc » fut exposé à Bruxelles au Cercle des XX. Seurat mourut à l'âge de
this page online
Captions
(Photo #1) L'arrière de la ferme Laubel (Coll. Part.)
(Photo #2) La ferme Suhard (Coll. Part.)
(Photo #3) La ferme Mauny
Several of the village's residences have specific architectural characteristics. Laubel Farm was built in the 15th century, with a superb turret at the rear, which houses a very beautiful stone staircase.
Suhard Farm dates partly from the late 18th century (1769) and partly from the early 19th century (1806). Manneville Château dates from 1739. There used to be the château on one side and the farm on the other. The lord of the château rented the farm to a farmer. The château was occupied by a troop of German soldiers and suffered greatly in 1944. The command had already left the château by D-day. However, three canons were still pointing towards the Pointe du Hoc. American troops approached the château with caution, seeing three canons ready to fire.
Did you know?
In the 19th century, Pointe du Hoc was celebrated by the painter Georges Seurat, one of the inventors of Pointillism. "The Point of Hoc" was exhibited in Brussels at the Cercle des XX. Seurat
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
2. Les belles demeures / The beautiful houses Marker (right side marker)
Captions
(Photo #1) The back of the Laubel farm (Private collection)
(Photo #2) The Suhard farm (Private collection)
(Photo #3) The Mauny farm
Erected by Cricqueville-en-Bessin. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1739.
Location. 49° 22.613′ N, 1° 0.044′ 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: Le village / The village (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
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
3. Les belles demeures / The beautiful houses Marker
The view of the markers from across the street.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
4. Les belles demeures / The beautiful houses 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 48 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
