European Heritage Days of Villedieu-les-Poêles

Heritage Days in Villedieu-les-Poêles: at the heart of exceptional know-how

Villedieu-les-Poêles is a town whose identity is inseparable from its craftsmanship. Since the Middle Ages, this Norman city has built an international reputation in copper work, brassware, coppersmithing, and bell founding. The European Heritage Days are the ideal opportunity to discover this living artisanal heritage through guided tours, demonstrations, and events that reveal the secrets of these exceptional crafts.

The Cornille Havard Bell Foundry

The highlight of the Heritage Days in Villedieu, a visit to the Cornille Havard bell foundry is an unforgettable experience. Founded in 1865, this foundry is the heir to a long tradition of bell founders established in Villedieu since the Middle Ages. It produces about a hundred monumental bells each year, perpetuating ancestral methods. The foundry is world-renowned for having cast the new bells of Notre-Dame de Paris. During the visit, participants discover bells in the making and can ring the bells and carillons installed in the courtyard. The year 2025 marked the 160th anniversary of the foundry.

The Maison du Patrimoine and the lacemakers

The Maison du Patrimoine Sourdin opens its doors free of charge during the Heritage Days, offering exhibitions on the history of the town and demonstrations of bobbin lace, a traditional skill perpetuated by local artisans. This place of memory helps to understand how Villedieu was built around its crafts, from hammered copper to bell founding.

Living and Recognized Heritage

Villedieu-les-Poêles benefits from the City of Arts and Crafts label, official recognition of the quality and diversity of its craftsmanship. The Heritage Days allow us to appreciate the vitality of this know-how: the Cuivre workshop, the Mauviel 1830 factory, and the numerous artisans in the town bear witness to a tradition that is passed down and reinvented from generation to generation. Guided tours offer a glimpse into places where ancestral traditions and cutting-edge technologies harmoniously blend.