Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Lisieux, France

This revered town in Normandy’s Calvados department is widely recognized among Catholics as France’s second most important pilgrimage destination after Lourdes.

The 19th-century figure, Saint Thérèse, spent most of her life in Lisieux, initially residing in a charming home with her father before moving to the Carmelite convent at the age of 14. For those following her legacy, there are several Thérèse-related locations throughout the town.

However, for all visitors, Lisieux offers numerous attractions: it boasts a thriving gastronomic scene, renowned for Calvados apple brandy and some of France’s most coveted cheeses. Additionally, there is a notable zoo, sophisticated châteaux, and the elegant resort of Deauville just a short distance away.

Let us examine the top attractions in Lisieux:

1. Basilica of St Thérèse

This church, dedicated to St Thérèse, is the second most-visited pilgrimage site in France following Lourdes.

To appreciate the devotion that Thérèse inspired during the early 20th century, it is noteworthy that the entirety of the funds for this church was sourced from donations.

Construction began in 1929, and following a hiatus during the war, this decorative neo-Byzantine basilica, complete with a 45-meter tall campanile, was consecrated in 1951. The crypt is particularly significant, as it was the first segment completed and is adorned with sculpted marble and mosaics representing key events in Thérèse’s life.

This was also where the town’s few remaining residents sought refuge during the Allied bombings in 1944.

2. Château de Saint-Germain-de-Livet

Located amidst woodlands just outside Lisieux, this enchanting château dates back to the 1400s.

The property is perched atop an earlier fortress; aside from the moat, it is evident that this residence was crafted for comfort rather than fortification.

The Renaissance gatehouse and towers, constructed at the close of the 1500s, showcase stone and glazed bricks arranged in a checkerboard pattern, while the primary structure is older, built in the 1400s, featuring half-timbered elements.

The interior is lavishly decorated and showcases paintings by the Romantic artist Léon Riesener, a relative of Eugène Delacroix.

3. Les Buissonnets

Les Buissonnets, the residence of Saint Thérèse from ages 4 to 15 before embarking on her Carmelite journey, is a charming 18th-century house a short stroll from the town center.

The Martin family took ownership of Les Buissonnets in 1877 shortly after the passing of Thérèse’s mother, where she experienced an undiagnosed illness, the remedy for which she attributed to a statue of the Virgin Mary in her cousin’s room.

Upon entering, visitors can view possessions of the Martin family, including the robe Thérèse donned for her first communion and her father’s study.

The garden features a statue commemorating the moment she requested her father’s permission to join the Carmel in 1887.

4. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Lisieux

Occupying a captivating location in one of the last remaining timber-framed houses in the town, Lisieux’s museum of art and history reopened in 2013 after being renovated for several years.

With the prestigious Museum of France designation, it narrates the city’s history from Roman times to the current period, highlighting key events along the way.

Visitors can gain in-depth knowledge about the 19th-century dressmaking industry, the post-war recovery of the town, and the medieval bishops who held considerable power centuries ago.

5. Lisieux Cathedral

Lisieux Cathedral, representing the transition between Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture, was completed over a 60-year period and consecrated in 1230; it emerged from the war with relatively minor damage.

While the exterior exhibits a modest aesthetic, the interior is breathtaking, particularly the lofty vaults in the nave, reminiscent of those in Notre-Dame in Paris.

For those tracking the Thérèse legacy, it is significant to note that her religious vocation became clear while she prayed in the cathedral’s chapels during the 1880s.

She would frequently stop to pray at the Notre-Dame chapel here each morning before classes, and the confessional remains the same one she visited after her First Communion.

6. Zoo de CERZA

Located just a few minutes from Lisieux, Zoo de CERZA spans 60 hectares, hosting over 1,000 animals in semi-freedom amidst woodland and lush valleys.

Visitors can explore the park on foot via two trails or take a ride on the “Safari Train,” which is particularly enjoyed by younger guests.

Many species within the park are endangered, and CERZA participates in 40 breeding programs while directing conservation efforts globally.

Notably, several rare species have birthed offspring at the park recently, including the Indian rhinoceros (the first of its kind in France) and red pandas.

7. Carmel Museum and Chapel

At the age of 14, Thérèse transferred from her family home to this Carmelite Convent, where she remained until her passing in 1897 at just 24 years old.

While it continues to function as a convent, there is a dedicated exhibition detailing her life here, along with a chapel housing her reliquary.

This shrine features a recumbent marble sculpture of the saint above her remains, which are paraded through the town during a procession on the last weekend of September.

For those less captivated by the Thérèse narrative, the museum also displays footage and photographs that provide an insight into the life of the Carmelites today.

8. Jardin de l’Évêché

Designed by André Le Nôtre, the landscaper behind the iconic grounds at Versailles, these gardens were established alongside the cathedral in the 17th century.

In true Le Nôtre fashion, the garden exhibits a formal French design, with geometric lawns, flowerbeds, and pathways centered around a fountain, set below a terrace offering picturesque views.

This area was originally designed for the city’s bishop and canons, who resided in the adjacent episcopal palace, which has since been transformed into Lisieux’s courthouse.

9. Deauville

In less than half an hour, you can reach the beach from Lisieux.

Furthermore, there is nothing ordinary about this nearby resort: polished Deauville is an upscale seaside destination that emerged in the 1860s and gained prominence thanks to Coco Chanel in the 1910s.

Previously, Deauville attracted the likes of writer Gustave Flaubert and painter Eugène Boudin, who passed away here in 1898. An American Film Festival draws celebrities each September, and the area’s luxury is underscored by its casino, sea spa, upscale hotels, boutiques, and two racecourses.

However, for a day trip, you can enjoy over three kilometers of pristine golden sand.

10. Graindorge Fromagerie

Situated under 20 kilometers from Lisieux, the village of Livarot is renowned among cheese aficionados.

Visitors can tour the Graindorge Fromagerie, in operation since 1910. Each wheel of Livarot and Pont l’Évêque produced here represents three generations of expertise in cheese-making.

The dairy facility is designed to allow guests to observe various stages of cheese production via glassed walkways overlooking the dairy floors.

The experience includes informative videos, educational displays, and tastings of the fromagerie’s delightful products at the conclusion of the tour.

11. Château de Boutemont

Recognized by the esteemed “Jardin Remarquable” classification, the grounds at Château de Boutemont are celebrated as some of the most picturesque in Normandy.

The castle dates back to the 1500s, although the garden’s layout is more contemporary, designed by Achille Duchêne in the early 20th century.

Duchêne operated within the same design philosophy as Le Nôtre, creating a parterre featuring an exquisite greenhouse, aromatic gardens, and an Italianate landscape adorned with 17th-century sculptures and furnishings.

12. Calvados

Lisieux is located in the heart of the Calvados AOC region, where visitors can explore the production of this exquisite apple brandy.

The challenge will be in selecting which distillery to visit, as Le Père Jules, Boulard, Pierre Huet, Le Lieu Chéri, and La Ribaud all welcome tourists.

A typical tour provides a glimpse into the picturesque orchards, historic copper stills, and spacious warehouses filled with oak barrels where brandy may mature for up to 40 years.

Of course, tastings of the Calvados are available at the end of the tour; many of these distilleries also produce cider and press their own apple juice, which is used for both pommeau (a blend of apple juice and Calvados) and to sell alongside their alcoholic offerings.

13. Château de Crèvecoeur

Situated on the route to Caen from Lisieux, this château is owned by the descendants of the Schlumberger Brothers, who made significant technological advancements in the oil drilling field during the 20th century.

Exhibits highlight the lives of the two brothers, who, born in France, pursued their careers globally.

The estate boasts nearly 1,000 years of history to explore, featuring remarkable half-timbered architecture from the 15th century.

This locale also offers children a variety of activities throughout the year, including old-fashioned fairs, falconry demonstrations, and the “Médiévales” festival in August, which showcases reenactments of both battles and court life.

14. Château de Vendeuvre

Constructed during the 1750s, Château de Vendeuvre is a prime example of Ancien Régime opulence, both externally and internally, and fortunately, was spared from destruction during the Revolution.

Richly furnished, the interior cleverly showcases different aspects of upper-class daily life: for instance, the study offers insight into correspondence practices, while the dining room illustrates the art of guest entertainment.

One room even contains a collection of aristocratic pet beds, carriers, and kennels.

The grounds are equally impressive, featuring an ice house shaped like a pyramid and a boxwood maze for children to navigate in search of a “lost rabbit.”

15. Clos des Ratites

Another excursion suited for younger family members is this farm dedicated to nurturing flightless birds.

The park operates between April and October, offering guided tours adjacent to including enclosures housing ostriches, emus, and rheas.

Additionally, a video presentation elucidates the biology and behavior of these interesting creatures.

Visitors may also discover dairy farms like Chèvres de Noémie, located near Lisieux, which specializes in goat cheese production.

Children have the opportunity to interact with the animals, and afterward, a farm shop offers a taste of this exceptional local product.