Dives Sur Mer and the Venetian Fairy Festival

Located only 30 minutes from the city of Caen in northwest france, not to be confused with Cannes in the south. The location between resort villages Cabourg and Deauville is the small village of Dives-sur-Mer, in the department of Calvados, in the region of Normandy France. It is a charming port city with approximately 6000 inhabitants. The history of Dives is famously linked to that of of William the Conqueror Guillaume, who gathered his fleet there before leaving for the conquest of England in 1066.
Although Normandy is best known for its WW II D-Day history, the history of Dives Sur Mer goes further back even before its most famous inhabitant to the age of the Vikings .

The village is also known for the following historical sites :

The Manor of Bois- Hibout : 17th century built of Caen, which belonged to a former valet ennobled by Louis (14th) XIV. In the nineteenth century, the mansion was home to a police station. And is currently a private home. The Village Art Guillaume (William) the Conqueror, is also located here.

From a post of the late 15th century, an inn was built at the end of the nineteenth century. This group of buildings now houses the town’s tourist office . The courtyards are in Norman style timber-framed, with exterior corridors serving the protected rooms upstairs.

The halls of the early 15th century, was home to local producers at the market every Saturday morning. This structure is supported by 66 pillars of oak, resting on stone dice. The Coats of arms of noble families who participated in the conquest of England with Guillaume (William )the Conqueror have been installed on the pillars. The building Still holds the market today

The church of Notre -Dame which has the oldest surviving parts dating from the 11th century.
Notably inside are also some important historic relics including the drift wood cross.

Port Guillaume, Port du Plaisance de Dives – Cabourg-Houlgate and sailing port is an eminent tourist attraction with a tidal basin and a capacity of 600 seats, and an anchorage area of 300 rings sheltered by a dune. There are Many vacation homes and cottages here arranged in a protected natural area. And also shops and restaurants, a municipal library, and a sailing school.

Dives Sur Mer has a lovely beach and a promenade which act as direct path between the resort villages of cabourg to the left and Houlgate to the Right. There are restaurants and casinos located on the promenade at both resorts villages with Dives Sur Mer’s fishing and sailing port right in the middle.

In the Summer season Dives has the festival ReciDives which was started here in 1986. In 2023 it will be held July 12-15. Since 2018, the event has been supported by “Le Sablier, center for the puppetry arts in Normandy – Conventioned Stage of National Interest, mention art and creation”.

The Bellfroi building , a former factory located a just behind the port was recently renovated and dedicated in June of 2023 and will offer space for for artistic creations in the art of puppetry and a 125 seat auditorium in partnership with Le Sablier National Center of Puppetry which is located on two sites one of which is Dives Sur Mer and the other IFS (calvados)

Every year, between May and June, usually Pentecost weekend , Dives-sur-Mer fairy festival imprint a bit of charm and magic from Venice.
THE Venetian Fairies transport you to one of the most wonderful events in Normandy. According to the website It’s at Port William, by boat and then by car, that the Venetian Fairy dock and stroll, after their mooring, Then in the streets and alleys of Dives-sur-Mer, spreading enchantment and good humor as they pass. Created by the association Masques et Loups, the tradition dates back to July 1879, the date of the inauguration of the railway station.
https://www.normandie-cabourg-paysdauge-tourisme.fr/en/agenda-evenements/temps-forts/les-feeries-venitiennes-de-dives-sur-mer/

According to france 3 news, More than 130 participants from all over Europe participate. the association “Masques et Loups” organizes the carnival and it is , the passion for Venice that brings them together. It is In 2018, the “Les Mascarades” festival took the new name of “Venetian Fééries de Dives-sur-Mer”. They all create their own carnival outfit.
It takes between 10 months to 2 years of work and . See the story here: https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/normandie/calvados/dives-sur-mer-fait-son-carnaval-de-venise-2553276.html

More to come on Dives Sur Mer including a visit to Maison Bleue de Da Costa or the blue house mosaic art of a Portuguese artist , Euclides da Costa Ferreira which will be shown in a separate video.