Helen's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Lyons has the very enviable title of ‘un des plus beau villages de France’ and is very popular with tourists and day-trippers from the Paris area.
It was a very important town in the Middle Ages and it was part of the lands owned by William the Conqueror, or William of Normandy. His son, Henry I of England famously died here having eaten too many lamphreys (a fish delicacy of the time)! It was popular with the Royals due to the immense forest around it which has used for hunting deer and boar.
The Halle, or covered market, dates from the 18th century and you can buy food there every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There are also a baker and a general food store and a deli. The office de tourisme is open daily apart from Mondays. Just by the Halle is a square where you can have a drink or meal from the café or restaurant nearby.
71 localnici recomandă
Lyons-la-Forêt
Lyons has the very enviable title of ‘un des plus beau villages de France’ and is very popular with tourists and day-trippers from the Paris area.
It was a very important town in the Middle Ages and it was part of the lands owned by William the Conqueror, or William of Normandy. His son, Henry I of England famously died here having eaten too many lamphreys (a fish delicacy of the time)! It was popular with the Royals due to the immense forest around it which has used for hunting deer and boar.
The Halle, or covered market, dates from the 18th century and you can buy food there every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There are also a baker and a general food store and a deli. The office de tourisme is open daily apart from Mondays. Just by the Halle is a square where you can have a drink or meal from the café or restaurant nearby.
Claude Monet’s house and gardens are one of the most popular sites to visit in Normandy, if not the most popular. If you go please check the website as you may have to book in advance
It is spectacular at all seasons but best known for its late spring, early summer colours.
Get there early!
246 localnici recomandă
Giverny
101-99 Rue Claude MonetClaude Monet’s house and gardens are one of the most popular sites to visit in Normandy, if not the most popular. If you go please check the website as you may have to book in advance
It is spectacular at all seasons but best known for its late spring, early summer colours.
Get there early!
The Chateau of Vascoeuil is a truly beautiful old chateau with modern artworks in the gardens. Every year it holds an exhibition showcasing a famous artist or writer. In 2021 it is Jean de la Fontaine, the French writer of fables and teacher of Louis XIV.
The river l’Andelle runs at the bottom of the garden and there is a café which serves crêpes for the kids!
Vascœuil
The Chateau of Vascoeuil is a truly beautiful old chateau with modern artworks in the gardens. Every year it holds an exhibition showcasing a famous artist or writer. In 2021 it is Jean de la Fontaine, the French writer of fables and teacher of Louis XIV.
The river l’Andelle runs at the bottom of the garden and there is a café which serves crêpes for the kids!
The centre of Rouen is only 45 minutes from us and is a great day out. Head for the Cathedral carpark and you will be where you need to. It has a little room above ground but also places below. Otherwise there is the Jeanne d’Arc carpark a little further on.
Around the Cathedral there are some nice shopping streets with a mixture of local and national/international names.
The 14th century clock is worth a look at, as is of course the cathedral. The great West Door was famously painted at different times of the day by our friend Monet and the paintings are on display at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Rouen is steeped in the history of Jeanne d’Arc, the Maid or ‘Pucelle’ of Orleans who, having victoriously commanded the French army was captured and burned at the stake in the city.
If you want to eat in the city just by the Cathedral there is a restaurant called Paul where we have eaten well. There is also the sandwich, eatery also called Paul but this time part of a big chain, where you can have a light snack. After the Gros Horloge, towards the Place Jeanne d’Arc there is a cheap and cheerful taco place which I would recommend.
202 localnici recomandă
Rouen
The centre of Rouen is only 45 minutes from us and is a great day out. Head for the Cathedral carpark and you will be where you need to. It has a little room above ground but also places below. Otherwise there is the Jeanne d’Arc carpark a little further on.
Around the Cathedral there are some nice shopping streets with a mixture of local and national/international names.
The 14th century clock is worth a look at, as is of course the cathedral. The great West Door was famously painted at different times of the day by our friend Monet and the paintings are on display at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Rouen is steeped in the history of Jeanne d’Arc, the Maid or ‘Pucelle’ of Orleans who, having victoriously commanded the French army was captured and burned at the stake in the city.
If you want to eat in the city just by the Cathedral there is a restaurant called Paul where we have eaten well. There is also the sandwich, eatery also called Paul but this time part of a big chain, where you can have a light snack. After the Gros Horloge, towards the Place Jeanne d’Arc there is a cheap and cheerful taco place which I would recommend.
Hidden at the edge of the forest, near the pretty village of Lisors, is the Abbey. It is a ruin but has lots of atmosphere and it a place of beauty. There is an extensive lake you walk around which is beautiful when sunny. Children can have a bit of a run around.
28 localnici recomandă
Abbaye de Mortemer
Hidden at the edge of the forest, near the pretty village of Lisors, is the Abbey. It is a ruin but has lots of atmosphere and it a place of beauty. There is an extensive lake you walk around which is beautiful when sunny. Children can have a bit of a run around.
Nature
It’s free and so beautiful!
Here are one or two things to do. Drives and picnics.
For forest walks please download or get leaflets from Lyons office de tourisme if I cannot provide them.
Most of the places to see around here are offset by the beautiful backdrop of this, one of the largest and most beautiful beech forests in Western Europe.
There are many, many forest tracks all over. You can park your car carefully just next to one and set of for an adventure. A lot of these tracks are suitable for cycling. There is a shop in Lyons, near the Halle, where you can hire electric bikes for the day.
The tourism office in Lyons sells local maps and has free leaflets detailing short and longer walks. I have copies of some of these. There are also picnic tables set at the side of the road in certain places where you can have a rest and a well-deserved something to eat.
In the autumn mushrooming is a popular activity but you need to get up early to get the best cèpes and bolets.
7 localnici recomandă
Forêt Domaniale de Lyons
Most of the places to see around here are offset by the beautiful backdrop of this, one of the largest and most beautiful beech forests in Western Europe.
There are many, many forest tracks all over. You can park your car carefully just next to one and set of for an adventure. A lot of these tracks are suitable for cycling. There is a shop in Lyons, near the Halle, where you can hire electric bikes for the day.
The tourism office in Lyons sells local maps and has free leaflets detailing short and longer walks. I have copies of some of these. There are also picnic tables set at the side of the road in certain places where you can have a rest and a well-deserved something to eat.
In the autumn mushrooming is a popular activity but you need to get up early to get the best cèpes and bolets.
My favourite drive is to start at the duck pond near the church in Lisors and head to the Abbaye de Mortemer. You can stop off to visit the ruins then continue head straight on towards the spring of St Catherine, not to far away on your left. Here there is a picnic table and parking on the left. The spring is a few metres behind you on the edge of the forest. If you prefer you can continue along further into the forest and you will see parking on the right and some tables on the left. Having picnicked you can continue straight on passed the little hut. Then you will find yourself at a junction where you go left back to Lyons
Lisors
My favourite drive is to start at the duck pond near the church in Lisors and head to the Abbaye de Mortemer. You can stop off to visit the ruins then continue head straight on towards the spring of St Catherine, not to far away on your left. Here there is a picnic table and parking on the left. The spring is a few metres behind you on the edge of the forest. If you prefer you can continue along further into the forest and you will see parking on the right and some tables on the left. Having picnicked you can continue straight on passed the little hut. Then you will find yourself at a junction where you go left back to Lyons
If you want a picnic with a lovely view of Lyons then go through the village on the road towards Charleval on the D6e passed the church. There will be two steep bends and ahead of you, you will see a statue. Pass this on your left and park as soon as you can. There are tables with a lovely view of the village.
71 localnici recomandă
Lyons-la-Forêt
If you want a picnic with a lovely view of Lyons then go through the village on the road towards Charleval on the D6e passed the church. There will be two steep bends and ahead of you, you will see a statue. Pass this on your left and park as soon as you can. There are tables with a lovely view of the village.
It’s not the nearest beach to us but has the most impressive cliffs with ‘doors’ in them. A lovely typical French seaside town with a pebble beach. If you have seen Arsène Lupin on tv then remember your top hat!
311 localnici recomandă
Étretat
It’s not the nearest beach to us but has the most impressive cliffs with ‘doors’ in them. A lovely typical French seaside town with a pebble beach. If you have seen Arsène Lupin on tv then remember your top hat!
Food scene
Graine de Champs
This is a lovely find in the pretty village of Vascoeuil. They sell delicious home made meals, starters, mains and desserts, which you can take away or eat in. There is also a selection of local meats, cheeses and ice cream. They also have a grocery selection. Most of the items on sale are very local. Also offering a catering service, we used them for our daughter’s wedding and the food was excellent!
If you like good, properly raised meat then this is the place for you. They sell a selection of charcuterie, pork, lamb, beef and fowls raised by themselves or other local farms and prepared by themselves to a very high standard. They also have a range of local, seasonal fruit and veg. Only open on Fridays and Saturdays. On Friday mornings there is also a fishmonger selling excellent fish straight from Dieppe.
They are in Lisors, just after the pond and the church. They are closed for lunch.
Chez Laure et Paul
10 Rue de l'ÉgliseIf you like good, properly raised meat then this is the place for you. They sell a selection of charcuterie, pork, lamb, beef and fowls raised by themselves or other local farms and prepared by themselves to a very high standard. They also have a range of local, seasonal fruit and veg. Only open on Fridays and Saturdays. On Friday mornings there is also a fishmonger selling excellent fish straight from Dieppe.
They are in Lisors, just after the pond and the church. They are closed for lunch.
Gournay has a very good market, much bigger than the villages around. It is every Tuesday and Friday mornings. Parking can sometimes be difficult. Be prepared to walk 5 or 10 mins. It’s worth it.
7 localnici recomandă
Gournay-en-Bray
Gournay has a very good market, much bigger than the villages around. It is every Tuesday and Friday mornings. Parking can sometimes be difficult. Be prepared to walk 5 or 10 mins. It’s worth it.
A small supermarket just 5kms away. It has all the basics and a butcher. There is also a petrol station which has reasonably priced diesel and petrol. Open daily and Sunday mornings.
Intermarché CONTACT La Feuillie
A small supermarket just 5kms away. It has all the basics and a butcher. There is also a petrol station which has reasonably priced diesel and petrol. Open daily and Sunday mornings.
PIZZA
If you want a quick bite the nearest fast food outlet is 25km away but if you fancy a pizza then go to La Feuillie where you can pick up a pizza to cook at home, or one cooked by the machine. It sounds crazy but the ones cooked by the machine are really quite good! Payment by card.
However, if it’s a Thursday then order one from the Mercanti van that comes to the green in Le Tronquay. These are cooked over a wood fire. It’s best to phone first as they get quite busy. I can give you the number.
N31, La Feuillie, Franţa
PIZZA
If you want a quick bite the nearest fast food outlet is 25km away but if you fancy a pizza then go to La Feuillie where you can pick up a pizza to cook at home, or one cooked by the machine. It sounds crazy but the ones cooked by the machine are really quite good! Payment by card.
However, if it’s a Thursday then order one from the Mercanti van that comes to the green in Le Tronquay. These are cooked over a wood fire. It’s best to phone first as they get quite busy. I can give you the number.
Shopping
Sometimes you just can’t help yourself!
We love the centre of Rouen. There are small versions of the Parisian stalwarts, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. There are lots of the typical French chains you find in any large town or city but also some quite quaint local shops. There are plenty of places where you can buy local delicacies for the folks back home. But also specialist shops selling everything from vinyl records to fancy patterned tights via fountain pens and kitchen equipment! Start at either the Cathedral or the Place Jeanne d’Arc and just start wandering through the narrow streets. Having lived in and around Paris for nearly thirty years we prefer Rouen as everything is concentrated into a small area!
But also
In Rouen, a typical French shopping centre just across the river from the Cathedral. It has most of what you need.
14 localnici recomandă
Saint Sever
Avenue de BretagneIn Rouen, a typical French shopping centre just across the river from the Cathedral. It has most of what you need.
On the edge of Rouen, a large out of town centre. Most of the bigger shops and fast foods are here. There is a very large IKEA and a large Carrefour hyper market.
Centre commercial Tourville-la-Riviere
2 Av. Gustave PicardOn the edge of Rouen, a large out of town centre. Most of the bigger shops and fast foods are here. There is a very large IKEA and a large Carrefour hyper market.
Gastronomie
Morgny Where we go to celebrate! Classics with an original take. Delicious food and good value for money especially if you have a set menu. We suggest booking.
Auberge de la Forêt
55 Rue Saint-AdrienMorgny Where we go to celebrate! Classics with an original take. Delicious food and good value for money especially if you have a set menu. We suggest booking.
Lyons la Foret A very good restaurant for a nice meal out. Worth a go. We suggest booking a table especially in season and at the weekend.
7 localnici recomandă
Les Halles
6 Pl. Isaac BenseradeLyons la Foret A very good restaurant for a nice meal out. Worth a go. We suggest booking a table especially in season and at the weekend.
Lyons la Foret
The café has the same owners as the Halle restaurant and serves very good food at a lower price point. The have a very good, inexpensive menu du jour. They only serve lunch. Please book in season and at the weekend.
Cafe Du Commerce
19 Place Isaac BenseradeLyons la Foret
The café has the same owners as the Halle restaurant and serves very good food at a lower price point. The have a very good, inexpensive menu du jour. They only serve lunch. Please book in season and at the weekend.
Lyons la Foret
Grand Cerf and Licorne Royale
The restaurant attached to the Grand Cerf hotel with a pretty terrace for eating out in the summer. The bistrot serves the classics in a very classy atmosphere.
Across the road is the Licorne Royale, Lyons’ Michelin-starred restaurant. There is a choice of set menu or tasting menu with wine pairings if you wish. The elegant dining room has a selection of Napoleon memorabilia displayed. A place to get on your glad rags for!
Le Bistrot du Grand Cerf
6 Rue FroideLyons la Foret
Grand Cerf and Licorne Royale
The restaurant attached to the Grand Cerf hotel with a pretty terrace for eating out in the summer. The bistrot serves the classics in a very classy atmosphere.
Across the road is the Licorne Royale, Lyons’ Michelin-starred restaurant. There is a choice of set menu or tasting menu with wine pairings if you wish. The elegant dining room has a selection of Napoleon memorabilia displayed. A place to get on your glad rags for!
Great home made burgers in this slightly incongruous burger joint with horses and a riding school for neighbours. An American diner feel , a copious helping and the French countryside! Not haute cuisine but a hit with kids and teenagers and a lot nicer than the ubiquitous fast food versions.
American Grill Puchay
Great home made burgers in this slightly incongruous burger joint with horses and a riding school for neighbours. An American diner feel , a copious helping and the French countryside! Not haute cuisine but a hit with kids and teenagers and a lot nicer than the ubiquitous fast food versions.