Things to do ... within 45 minutes drive
There is so much to do within 45 minutes drive that I don't know where to start!
For a quick snapshot you could click HERE for a blog post that was written by one of our previous guests, which I think sums it all up very nicely, or you could take look at the video below...
For a quick snapshot you could click HERE for a blog post that was written by one of our previous guests, which I think sums it all up very nicely, or you could take look at the video below...
|
15 minutes drive...
Ferme de Bray An ancient 17th century farmstead, which has been lovingly restored and is now open to the public. You can visit the ancient wheat mill, bread oven, dovecote, chicken houses and cider presses. In each of the restored farm buildings you will find examples of all the traditional tools. There is also trout fishing in the lake. http://ferme.de.bray.free.fr/ |
|
|
20 minutes drive...
Gerberoy A short drive away is the old medieval village of Gerberoy, one one of the “100 most beautiful villages in France” and protected as a classified site. All the old houses have been restored and maintained and in the summer are covered in roses. The road to this village is extremely picturesque – you will pass along a lovely calm river valley with a number of pretty villages on the way. www.Gerberoy.fr Don’t miss the Hostellerie du Vieux Logis – our favourite restaurant, with a lovely garden in the summer. Their speciality is little individual table-top “barbecues” , where you cook your own meat or fish over a calvados flame. They also do a “Menu Sucre” – a five-course meal consisting only of desserts! http://www.vieuxlogisgerberoy.com/ |
|
|
about 20 minutes drive...
The Foret de Lyons Visible from the upstairs windows, at 10,000 hectares the 5th largest national forest in France. At its centre, the medieval village of Lyons-la-Foret is another of the “100 most beautiful villages in France”, and it too has a couple of highly recommended restaurants. |
|
|
about 20 minutes drive...
Artmazia Artmazia, one of the longest hedge mazes in the world, was classified best artistic site for families in Normandy in the Frommer’s guide : "Normandy with your family", and is composed of a sculpture park as well as several labyrinths and mazes: The Giant permanent maze, with its 5 000 beeches and 3 600 meters of paths is one of the longest permanent mazes in the world. The Flower maze , follows the pattern of a double spiral. Go back to the origins of the labyrinth through this scented path. Used in several traditional rituals, often made out of stones, the double spiral is the basis of traditional mazes. Play the game, make a wish as the Druids and Vikings used to do and maybe your wish will come true. The Children’s maze, for the under eights, your children will enjoy the pleasure of a true maze adapted to their age. http://www.artmazia.com> |
|
|
20 minutes drive...
Mauquenchy Racecourse The hippodrome at Mauquenchy holds regular meetings throughout the year and is very popular. It has a 300 seat restaurant with panoramic views over the track. Click for the Website to see dates of races> |
|
|
about 30 minutes drive...
St Saens and the Foret d'Eawy St-Saens is a pretty village on the way to Dieppe, with a gentle stream running through it and picturesque houses. Although the name “Eawy” (pronounced “Ee-a-vee”) means wet pasture, this is a glorious beech forest covering 72 sq km (28 sq miles) on a jagged outcrop. Click for more images of St-Saens> |
|
|
about 30 minutes drive...
World War Two V1 Rocket Launch site At Ardouval, near Bellencombre, is the site of Val-Ygot and its Memorial. It's incredible to think that from this sleepy woodland in Normandy, German V1 rockets were launched to cross the channel to travel all the way to stealthily drop bombs on London. |
|
|
about 30 minutes drive...
Parc St Paul The Parc Saint Paul amusement park, dedicated to children and teenagers, offers a wide range of rides, attractions and shows. It offers fun and thrills with its 37 rides and attractions for the whole family, from the youngest to the most foolhardy, as well as 2 live shows and 5 restaurants. http://www.parcsaintpaul.fr |
|
|
about 35 minutes drive..
Parc du Bocasse A theme park designed for the whole family, with 40 attractions in all. From the kid’s playground to thrilling attractions to magical tours, the Parc de Bocasse has something for everyone. In 2012, four new attractions have been created in the Park. http://www.parcdubocasse.fr/ In the same village is the lovely, relaxing Chateau de Cleres (see below), so we would suggest a combined visit... |
|
|
about 35 minutes drive (next to Bocasse)...
Chateau de Cleres This zoological and botanical park is on the grounds of a beautiful 14th-century château and includes 200 mammals and 1,500 birds in a wooded area of 13 hectares (32 acres). We like the fact that the birds and the mammals (eg peacocks and deer) are free to roam around the park amongst the visitors. A very pretty place, well worth a visit... http://www.parcdecleres.net/ |
|
|
about 40 minutes drive...
Dieppe Although a ferry port, it is nothing like Calais – very French, and no “booze cruisers”! This lovely seaside town is just 40 minutes drive to the North – take a stroll along the harbour and stop off to try the famous “Marmite Dieppoise” at one of the many harbourside restaurants. |
|
|
about 40 minutes drive...
The Alabaster Coast Continue along the glorious Normandy “Cote d’Albatre” – rugged, uncrowded, and full of French charm with beautifully clean sand and pebble beaches below white chalk cliffs. Set amongst the many villages (e.g. Veules-les-Roses, St Valery en Caux) are numerous restaurants with sea views serving freshly caught fish and seafood, and of course the neo-renaissance palace in the centre of Fecamp does guided tours to sample the infamous Bénédictine liqueur. Of all the towns along the Alabaster Coast Etretat shines with its famous chalk cliffs and needle loved as a subject by the Impressionists. |
|
|
about 40 minutes drive...
Rouen About 30 minutes drive to the west is the ancient town of Rouen – cobbled streets, medieval architecture, numerous churches and a magnificently restored Cathedral, as well as being a shopper’s paradise of little antique shops and excellent boutiques. Jeanne d’Arc was burned at the stake in the old market place, and there is a museum there, dedicated to her life. |
|
|
closest (St-Saens) about 30 minutes drive...
Golf There are a number of golf courses within easy reach, making Le Gaillon an excellent base for golfing breaks. In fact Normandy is rated among the top ten most desirable golfing locations in the world - "the Land of Golf in Europe"... There are many fabulous golf courses in close proximity (eg. Champ de Bataille, Dieppe, Rouen La Foret Verte, Etretat), but the closest is the lovely course at St-Saens. A newish course, very popular, with a magnificent chateau clubhouse where you can enjoy an excellent reasonably priced lunch or dinner. This course is incredibly varied – you will experience parkland, moorland and water holes here. As with most French courses, you will find it difficult to believe how such a great course can be so empty! Well worth the visit. |
|
|
Art Lovers
Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert, Marcel Proust and Oscar Wilde all resided in the nearby area at some time during their lives or go just a little further afield to Monet’s house and garden at Giverny, just over an hour away by car. (see the Day Trips page) |
|
Househunting?
If you are planning to use Le Gaillon as a base for househunting in this beautiful part of Normandy, please let us know – we can give you advice and put you in contact with local estate agents. |