A walk in the Vallon de la Capricieuse

Sometimes dry, sometimes overflowing and getting out of its bed, the river is quite capricious, hence its name : capricious !

The regular submergence of the surrounding land gives rise to a specific soil, vegetation and animal life.

Crédit : F. Dupont

The stream was used by the Gallic tribes to delimit their borders. In Luc-sur-Mer, it was the Viducasses who occupied the territory.

In the 19^th century, part of the meadows on the banks of the stream were used for livestock farming.

The Vallon de la Capricieuse is made up of an important geological heritage. It is located on old stone quarries.

They were used for the construction of the village of Luc-sur-Mer and many buildings in Calvados from the 11^th to the 19^th century.

In 1875 a railway line was inaugurated linking Caen to Courseulles-sur-Mer. It passed through the Vallon de la Capricieuse. Its operation ceased in 1950.

In the 20^th century, this area was abandoned. It was used as a landfill and waste disposal site.

Crédit : F. Dupont

More than 200 trees have been planted, including bocage species, fruit trees and melliferae, all in bloom, for the pleasure of walkers and in the interest of pollinating insects.

Among the fruit trees, apple trees from Normandy have been planted.

A picnic area is at your disposal, surrounded by soothing and colourful landscape plantings.

A little further on, towards Douvres-la-Délivrande, is the green theatre. With its grassy steps, it accompanies the existing relief.

Are you a sportsman ?

The Vallon de la Capricieuse is a great playground for running, with its criss-crossing paths, small bridges over ponds and abdomen strengthening equipment.

Along the greenway, meet the friendly inhabitants of the Capricieuse. Sheep, horses, donkeys, sheep, birds…

Here, the sheep of Ouessant and the moors of Brittany replace the lawnmowers ! Eco-pasturing is favoured, an alternative and ecological solution.

Between February and April, it is not unusual to see cute little lambs. Curious and playful, they will happily approach the fences to greet you.

At the end of the Vallon de la Capricieuse, there is an association: Les Sabots de l’Espoir, run by two friends : Michel and Gérard. These two retired elves (inhabitants of Luc-sur-Mer) give their time to help animals in distress or mistreated. They cuddle them, feed them and talk to them. Through their patience and daily care, they manage to give them back their taste for life and their confidence in humans.

The association’s mascot is the donkey Pompon, who is happy to be stroked.

poppies, the symbol of D-Day

The poppy originates from the Middle East. It accompanies the rhythm of the harvest. It can be found near the picnic area between May and July.

The blood red poppy has become a symbol of remembrance. The poppy is worn near the heart to honour the sacrifice of the soldiers. It is the main emblem of the Royal Canadian Legion, which distributes them to Canadians every year, who wear them on Remembrance Day.