Saint-Sever is situated in the Calvados department (14) of Normandy and in 2017 was merged with the other surrounding towns and villages to make up the commune, Noues de Sienne. It is steeped in history, much like the rest of Normandy.
“Saint Sever, who was named Bishop of Avranches around the year 523, ventured deep into the forest, where he founded a small monastic community and built a small chapel. In the year 990, monks took the relics to Rouen (thus the origin of the neighbourhood of Saint-Sever on the Left Bank of the Seine).”
Saint Sever is probably best know for its beautiful Forest which covers an impressive 1500 hectares, so you will never be short of things to do and areas to explore. It is perfect for walking, Geocaching full of boxes to find, story telling walk – a regular feature for the children of the commune, mountain bike trails, horse riding, fishing at the ponds of vieux château and Coulanges – this was once “the old swimming pool” the motte castrale which, given its shape, used to be called le ‘chapeau de Napoléon’ Napoléon’s hat.
Do pay the atmospheric Lake Le Gast a visit, which you can walk around – approximately 7km. Set back from this lake you will discover, nestled in the forest, the Ermitage chapel. An 18th century convent currently occupied by Carmelite nuns. A haven of peace and tranquillity.
Within the forest you will also find a restaurant, unique accommodation huts and domes together with high ropes, children’s activities and pony rides. During the summer months, live music is played every Friday which makes for a very nice ambiance in the forest.
The town itself has all the amenities you would expect to find – bars, restaurants, market, boulangeries, doctors, nurses surgery etc. It has recently had a new school and library built.
Within the cemetery in Saint Sever (and like so many places in Normandy not least the D-day landing beaches) you will find the graves of five RAF pilots that were shot down in World War II – 9 local villagers were also sadly killed.
“Wellington T2897 of 149 Squadron was on its way back from a bombing mission in German occupied France when it was hit by flak and developed engine problems.
It crashed into the main street of St Sever Calvados in Normandy on 13 April 1941.
The fireball from the disintegrating aircraft enveloped much of the village’s main street, killing nine villagers and five of the six crew on board.
The Wellington crew, aged between 23 and 21, were killed: Pilot Officer Ronald Morison, Pilot Sergeant Ernest John Holland, Wireless operator Sergeant Ronald Hutchinson, Pilot Sergeant John Leo Westley and Gunner Sergeant Walter Hugh Wilkinson.
Before the Wellington came down, Gunner Sergeant Kenneth Rawlings was ordered to bail out. He was meant to help steer the Wellington away from the village by lighting a flare in a nearby field but it was too late.”
You can read more about their story in the link at the end of this article.
We would also like to give a mention to a very well known and highly recommended garage for changing your tyres by locals and foreign nationals alike – Garage Herbert pneus.
Suzanne likes this area so much, she decided that it was the perfect location in which to rent a house to clients who are looking to search for a property here in Normandy. The rental is for a minimum of 4 days and costs just 60 euros a night. If you stay for week you will avail of a discount and pay just 300 a week. If you buy a property with Suzanne, the cost of your stay will be refunded! As you would come to expect, the house is tastefully decorated to her high standard and has everything you need inside to make your stay as stress free and enjoyable as possible. Please do get in contact, if you would like to book ‘Suzanne’s place’
We hope you enjoyed this little insight in yet another wonderful town that we sell our houses in and around.
Etape En Foret Facebook Page – Music Nights
