Villedieu-les-Poêles (Villa Dei in Latin) was managed by the Knights Hospitallers in the 12th century. From the Middle Ages, the town of the Manche department became famous for the manufacture of boiling pans and copper culinary objects and quickly took on the nickname of Villedieu the pans. Its Tuesday market was renowned throughout the region. Today, its alleys are reminiscent of hammering and bear evocative names: Ruelle de l'Enfer (Hell's Alley) runs alongside Ruelle du Paradis (Paradise's Alley), the only one without a workshop. In 2002, Villedieu-les-Poêles was honored with the Villes et Métiers d'Art (Cities and Artcrafts) label.