The Postcard
A postally unused carte postale that was published by Bonnesoeur and printed by Catala Frères of Paris.
There appears to be something interesting going on the the centre of the photograph - it looks as though there is a small street market in progress.
Barneville-Carteret
Barneville-Carteret is a commune in the Manche département in the Normandy region of north-western France. For many years it has been a popular seaside resort destination.
The commune resulted from a merger of two communes in 1964: Barneville-sur-Mer and Carteret, whose port has ferry connections to the Channel Islands.
The inhabitants of the commune are known as Barnevillais or Barnevillaises, and Carteretais or Carteretaises. The population in 2019 was 2,239.
The Port of Carteret
The Port of Carteret is the present port of Barneville-Carteret. Sometimes called the "Port of the Isles", it is located on the right bank of the mouth of the Gerfleur River, at the end of Cape Carteret. A rescue station was built in 1865.
The large pier and south mole were completed in 1880. In the following year a ferry began service to Jersey. The small port was used as a shelter for fishermen during spring tide. In 1945 the port was enlarged with the help of combat engineers from the American 280th. Battalion stationed in Carteret.
Barneville
Built on a hill and dating to the Middle Ages, Barneville is built around the church of Saint Germanus of Auxerre. Its architecture is Romanesque, and it was fortified during the Middle Ages for coastal surveillance.
The main shops and services of the area are here and there is a market on Saturday. In the street below the town the remains of medieval walls that protected the city and seaside can be visited with a view of Cartaret harbour, the sea, and the Channel Islands.
Barneville Beach
Barneville Beach is a residential area consisting primarily of campsites and vacation homes. The city is quiet out of season but experiences heavy traffic during the summer. The resort area spreads into the neighbouring town of Saint-Jean-de-la-Rivière, which was built on an ancient sand dune.
Climate
The town has a temperate ocean climate. Its location on the coast results in a strong sea breeze and frequent storms. There are significant seasonal variations in temperature and rare days of frost.
The combined effects of wind and tides cause rapid weather changes: in the course of a day, sun and rain can follow one another within a few hours.
The influence of the Gulf Stream and the mild winters allow the growing of Mediterranean and exotic plants such as mimosas, palms and agave.
Ancient Families
The famed de Carteret family of the Norman nobility played powerful roles in English history. They held many possessions on the continent, the Channel Islands, and later, in the American colony. Their surname stems from Carteret, the stony anchorage site in Normandy.
Guy de Carteret, a.k.a. "The Fowler", (circa 960-1004) was the first Lord of the Barony of Carteret in Normandy for which there is record. They also held the lordship of St. Ouen on the Isle of Jersey.
Family members assisted William the Conqueror at Hastings, and took part in the Crusades alongside Robert, son of the duke of Normandy:
"Three times has the Island of Jersey been
rescued by the valor and sagacity of members
of this family from the dominion of the French,
events of unequaled importance in its history...."
In the village of Barneville, behind the church, is the remains of a Motte-and-bailey castle which was transformed into a calvary that was called Mallet's Mound after the Mallet family of Carteret and Barneville who were mentioned in 1066.
The square church tower from the 15th. century (from where the photograph was taken) has a parapet over a blind arcade which was besieged by the English in September 1499.
Barneville-Carteret in WWII
After the invasion of June 1940 the communes of Carteret and Barneville-sur-Mer became important sites in the Atlantic Wall. The fortifications of Barneville-sur-mer, Hatainville, Baubigny and Carteret are still visible, except at Baubigny where it was totally buried in the sand.
On the 18th. June 1944 an armoured column of the 69th. regiment of the 9th. US Infantry Division entered Barneville and, after ten days of fighting, the town was liberated. The US military remained in Barneville and Carteret until autumn 1945.
At Graffard mansion there were performances of the "Can-can" for the US soldiers.
Festivals
Festivals include the following:
-- The Festival of the sea, every year in August at the port of Carteret.
-- The festive Evenings of Potinière in summer.
-- The cycle race called Gainsbarre in tribute to the singer who gave a big donation to the cycling club and which has taken place every year in April since 2004.
-- The Trails de La Mère Denis et des Lavandières has passed through the Côte des Isles every year since 2010 around the 14th. July.
-- The Trail de la Barjo whose departure takes place on the beach of Barneville in June every year.
-- The Tour of the Channel ports yachting regatta.
-- The Challenge de La Déroute sailing regatta held each year in early September.
-- The Kite Festival every year in July in Barneville-Plage.
-- The Défi du Daubon, sculling race held every year in October in the port of Carteret since the 1950's.
The Sea
Tourists are attracted by the marina (311 berths inside, 60 visitor berths, and 95 anchorages). Fishing activity is important and diversified in the fishing port: fish (flounder, pouting, dogfish), but mostly crustaceans (spider crabs, crabs, and lobsters).
There are numerous activities: swimming and water sports, and angling. Also on the beach at Barneville at low tide in the rocks or sand there are limpets, cockles, whelks, periwinkles, crabs, velvet crabs, and shrimp. At Carteret point it is possible to find Weever fish.