This charming village, located about twenty kilometres from Mont Saint-Michel, offers an attractive stopover for your journey, thanks to its natural wealth and heritage. Holder of the Village Étape,(stopover village) Station Verte (Green Resort) and the Ville Fleurie (Town in Bloom) 3-flower labels, the town is blessed with an exceptional environment, bordered by the Sélune, one of three rivers in our region.
Every year, Ducey-Les Chéris attracts hikers and cyclists who enjoy its walking/cycling path, along the Véloscénie Paris – le Mont Saint-Michel route.
A village in the heart of a natural setting
Village Étape
Labelled a Village Etape since 3 August 2001, Ducey has joined the 9 Villages Étapes of France, mostly located on the A20 motorway, and is the first village to be labelled as such in the north of France.
This classification is awarded to villages with less than 5,000 inhabitants, located near a major national road, in order to welcome users for a break on their journeys.
The pleasant and quiet surroundings of Ducey-les-Chéris offer a multitude of quality services, to suit all needs, including hotels, restaurants, basic necessities (bakery, grocery store, etc.), a Tourist Information Office and much more.
Station verte
The village is also labelled a “Station Verte” (Green Resort), thanks to its natural setting and its permanent and organised range of leisure activities on offer, its varied accommodation, shops and services; its tourist and leisure facilities; its green spaces and playgrounds; its hiking trails; its waking/cycling route; and its wooded area: the Bois d’Ardennes.
A 3-flower town
Every year, the small town of Ducey-les Chéris offers a colourful show, thanks to the almost permanent presence of flowers. Rich in green spaces, the town stands out with its spring, summer and autumn blooms. More than 5,200 cuttings and 1,300 bulbs are needed to offer the town its variety of colours.
Heritage listed and classified as a Historic Monument
The old bridge
Its picturesque stone “Old Bridge”, whose 7 arches are partly hidden by the old roadway, spans the river – famous for its salmon. It is bordered by the oldest district of the town – once frequented by pilgrims who used to cross the bridge to reach the Mont Saint-Michel.
Built on the site of an old wooden bridge, it bears the date of its construction in 1613 on its parapet, making it one of the oldest stone bridges in the department. In 1975, it was included in the French Inventory of Historic Monuments.
At its feet, you’ll find the starting point for a walk along the river to reach the Bois d’Ardennes, an ancient relic of the forest of Sciccy.
The castle of the Montgommery
Close to the town, the ambitious Château des Montgommery and its park invite you to enjoy a historical break. The majestic building, built in the 17th century, is located at the entrance of the village, on the banks of the river Sélune. It is classified as a Historic Monument and was built during the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIII, by Gabriel II de Montgommery.
Stunning ceilings decorated with paintings, imposing fireplaces and a monumental staircase bear witness to an innovative architectural project carried out by a powerful Protestant lord, whose family have left their mark on French history.
As part of your visit, the Castle offers a murder mystery game: the DUCEY CODE, in which you will need to work quickly to defy time!
The historical route
Come and discover the history of this town through a tour entitled “Ducey, Strolling in its History”. This 2-hour tour is a great way to discover all its streets and anecdotes, taking the time to stroll and observe the many elements inherited from the past.
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