The "Eglise Saint Véronique" is the oldest building in Chareauville sur Mer. It was built during the English occupation in 1432, commissioned by the Count of Bedford, uncle to Henry VI, and is famous throughout the district for the expressive stained glass windows in the side aisles. The bell tower was virtually rebuilt ten years ago and fitted with a very special bell, bought thanks to the mediation of Angelique Cerny, antique merchant in the town.

She knew that the two metre high bell was on sale in Italy, where a church had completely collapsed following an earthquake. Philippe de Moissy of the bank granted a loan at attractive conditions and Mayor Victor Domont mediated personally with his Italian counterpart. On Sunday morning the bell wakes the tourists in hotel "Chez Gérardine", who are consequently wide awake at nine o’clock. This doesn’t worry Padre Henry Thiory too much. He is a true bon vivant. He is regularly to be found in restaurant "Deauville", where Léon and Anne Chailly enjoy spoiling him.

He is very at home in Chareauville sur Mer, as fish, his favourite dish, is freshly brought into the harbour every day. His greatest pleasure is when his housekeeper, madame Dupont, fries a fish for him from fresh fishmongers "Chez Pierre" belonging to Pierre Avernes. On sultry summer evenings his favourite past time is to sit on a bench in the boulevard with a heavy cigar. But not at Christmas. Then he works from early morning to late evening to get his crib organised, which covers almost half the alter. He is assisted in this by Julia Ballancourt of the "Boutique de Souvenirs" and Mayor Victor Domont, the husband of Gerardine, manageress of the local hotel. But the biggest impression is made by Gérard Potoise, owner of the artist’s shop "Peintre Artiste", who always manages to paint a stunning background on large panels, so that every year the Christ-child is born in Chareauville sur Mer in a different exotic setting.