A history of 150 million years

The falaises des Vaches noires strecht between Villers-sur-Mer to Houlgate, in particular before the villages of Auberville and Gonneville-sur-Mer. Over 100 metres high, the cliffs form a curious landscape, reminiscient of ruins of a fortified castle.

The cliffs are composed of two main parts. On the seafront, protected at its base by a false terrace, the cliff Jurassic tall, about 60 meters, is made of marl and limestone overlain by grayish yellow limestone. Back, cretaceous cliff, high of about 40 metres, is made of glauconieuse chalk, corrupted at its summit in flint clay-based on a layer of green seat sands of groundwater.

The falaises des Vaches noires conceal an internationality renowned paleontological deposit. Since the 18th Century, fossils have been collected there, bearing witness to the existence of life forms dating back tens of millions of years..

The name « Vaches noires » does not stem from the cliffs themselves, but from the large blocks of chalk fallen at their foot.

Following a decree dated the 20th of February 1995, the falaises des Vaches noires have been declared a “Site of scientifi c and landscaped interest in the department of Calvados”, by the French Ministry for Environnement. A municipal order forbids climbing on the cliffs.

Access to the site is therefore via the foreshore at low tide, ans fossils can only be collected on the beach.

The town of Villers-sur-Mer has 30 acres of marsh, located east of the station, bordering Blonville-sur-Mer. This space consists of a set of grassland interspersed with ditches and ponds with gabions.
The freshwater flows from the plateau of the Pays d'Auge was retained in the marsh by the dunes, while the sea went there during high tides. Today a dyke has replaced the dunes and the exchange between the environments is much more limited.
Nevertheless, the marshland of Villers-Blonville is a precious heritage, not only for its landscape quality, but also its wildlife. It is managed in part by the Conservatoire du Littoral, like the cliffs of the Vaches Noires.

Place of leisure and discovery, this exceptional natural space allows to discover the nature according to your envy. Walking around the lake of Villers, riding horse near Blonville, visiting with a guide, the possibilities and the subjects of delight are uncountable.

To be appreciated, this natural and sensitive site must be respected :
• our friends dogs must be kept on a leash and supervised
• boating, swimming and fishing are prohibited
• For the good health of animals, thank you for not feeding them.

The countryside of the Pays d'Auge is a postcard of Normandy: cows, apple trees, manor houses, thatched cottages, horses... a rich heritage of exception and a generous and varied soil.
The Pays d’Auge comprises a plateau of chalk disk covered with clay and fl int and smaller quantities of alluvium. The landscape is punctuated by numerous valleys, hollowed by the hundreds of tributaries running from the Rivers Risle, Dives and Touques.
This plateau has progressively evolved into a bocage landscape and grassland for the production of milk, cream, butter and cheeses, together with apples, cider and Calvados. Land parcels range from average to large in size and are frequently planted with apple trees. They are bordered by hedgerows which, although they have no embankment are thick and high, rendering the roads and pathways they shelter apparently sunken among the greenery.
Settlements are scattered or in open hamlets, including, on the one hand half-timbered or brick and stone manor houses, surrounded by ponds and, on the other hand, traditional farms, also with half-timbering, thatched or slate roofi ng and baked clay fl ooring, focusing on a planted enclosure comprising several agricultural buildings.

Villers has 700 hectares of countryside. Magnificent hollow roads will lead you to the discovery of this protected space. In the bend of your hikes around Villers, take time of a small break in the discovery of the treasures of our surrounding villages :
• Auberville : The lovely Church, whose parts date from the 12th century is dedicated to Sainte Barbe, small steeple at two apparent bells. Many paths that connects Villers.
• Gonneville-sur-mer : Village surrounded by small hills, valleys, sources. The Church dates from the 12th and 13th century. View exceptional, typical of the Pays d'Auge, since the esplanade of the municipality.
• Saint Pierre Azif : Fine views of the countryside, do not miss the church that keeps inside a beautiful set of paintings of the Flemish school.
• Saint Vaast en Auge : Nestled in the heart of a typical Valley of the Pays d'Auge.
• Vauville : Pretty village with typical houses and many private stables