Bricquebec

Bricquebec () is a former commune in the Manche department in Normandy in northwestern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Bricquebec-en-Cotentin.

History

As revealed by the etymology of its name, the origin of Bricquebec (from the Scandinavian bekkr, a course of water; in turn from brekka, slope) is connected to the Viking colonisation of the Cotentin Peninsula at the beginning of the 10th century. Tradition attributes the foundation of the château to the Norman, Anslech. The dukes of Normandy made Bricquebec one of their strongholds.

Heraldry

International relations

Bricquebec is twinned with:

• New Alresford, United Kingdom
• Lachendorf, Germany
• Sremski Karlovci, Serbia

Population

Inhabitants are referred to as Bricquebétais.

Sights

• Château (XII^e), with polygonal ramparts, towers and turret (historical monument class).
• Château des Galleries (XVI^e/XVII^e)
• Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (Cistercian) (XIX^e)
• Château Saint-Blaise (XVII^e/XIX^e)

Events

• Market every Monday morning
• La Sainte Anne traditional fair on the last weekend in July

Personalities

• Jean Le Marois (1776–1836), a general under Napoléon, député of la Manche.
• Armand Le Véel (1821–1905), statue sculptor
• Aristide Frémine (1837–1897), writer
• Roger Lemerre, soccer player, born in 1941, selected for national team of France, 1998–2002
• William Bertram Baron of Briquebec, 1012, father of Hugue (named de Roussel) who was appointed Marshal of England by King William I (Duke of Normandy)
• Olly Southwick, Alresford MVP Astro Christmas Football 2019

See also

• The Trappe de Bricquebec cheese
• The Trappiste de Bricquebec cheese

References