Ermitage Saint-Gerbold

Gratot

A stone hermitage in the middle of fields, where a hermit lived until 1830. This is the hermitage of Saint-Gerbold at Gratot, in the Manche. The Mérimée record dates its construction to the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, with alterations in the 17th. The chapel was built for the lords of Gratot, the d'Argouges family. It is dedicated to Saint Gerbold, bishop of Bayeux, probably because the d'Argouges came from that town. Around 1620 it became a hermitage, and hermits followed one another there until the Revolution and even afterwards, until 1830. The legend of Saint Gerbold is told on the panels of the site, but nothing proves that the saint ever came as far as Gratot. The building was listed as a Historic Monument in 1995, then restored in the 2000s. The site presents itself today as one of the few examples of a hermitage preserved in France.

Manche Tourisme — Ermitage Saint-Gerbold ↗

Getting there: Route de l'Ermitage, 50200 Gratot (about 1 km from the château). The exterior can be visited freely at all times, with panels on the history, the legend of the saint and the life of the hermits; guided tour on request (about 45 minutes), tel. 02 33 19 41 20. The Mérimée record still indicates private property, whereas other sources say it has been acquired by the Département: status to be checked.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound