June 1, 2024
We arrived in Valognes on June 1. This town, which the Romans called Alauna in the first century, still has ruins of Roman baths and an imposing theater with more than 3000 seats. In the 15th century, Valognes became the economic and administrative capital of the Cotentin peninsula. In the 17th century, Valagnes became home to the aristocracy. A large part of the town was destroyed by Americans during bombings in June 1944. Reconstruction largely redesigned the city, keeping the “feel” of old French towns.
We were in Valagnes for 8 days. On June 5, we had a very peaceful walk around the old city, visiting the public gardens, the Parcheminerie, a 15th-century building that now houses the office of Pays d’Art et d”Historie, the boundary wall of the Cordelier convent, the washing place, and other 16-18th-century buildings.
