Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lyons-la-Forêt
A captivating medley of
16th- to 18th-century half-
timbered buildings, Lyons-la-
Forêt stands in a sylvan setting
deep in the lovely Forêt de
Lyons. It starred in both the 1934
Jean Renoir and the 1991 Claude
Chabrol versions of
Madame
Bovary
, whose intangible
influence still permeates the
area
(see pp50, 79)
.
Montville
At the confluence of two
rivers - Clérette and Cailly -
Montville is distinctive for
flowers and fire engines. A
village fleurie
, it has an attractive
lake, a park with a superb 300-
year-old purple beech, and the
Musée des Sapeurs-Pompiers
(museum of the fire brigade), full
of old hand pumps and gleaming
red fire engines. It traces the
history of the French fire brigade
from the early 18th century
onwards.
d
Map J2
Allouville-Bellefosse
they join forces to adorn the
houses and streets with
flowering plants. Half-timbered
farmhouses and the 18th-century
brick-and-stone church add to the
appeal.
d
Map H2
St-Valéry-en-Caux
Encircled by high cliffs, this
fishing village as well as child-
friendly seaside resort occupies
a charming spot on the Côte
d'Albâtre, where tranquil Pays de
Caux countryside meets beach,
boats and bikinis. It is graced by
the Maison Henri IV, a fine,
timber-framed Renaissance
house on the quay.
d
Map H11
Allouville-Bellefosse
An extraordinary oak tree,
thought to be at least 1,300
years old, has put this little
village on the map. Inside the
huge trunk are a sanctuary and
a hermit's cell fashioned by a
local priest in 1696. Nearby, in
an old farmhouse deep in the
countryside, is the
Musée de la Nature,
dedicated to the local
landscape, flora and
fauna.
d
Map H2
Dieppe
0
8
English
Channel
Fécamp
Etretat
1
Cherbourg
7
Le Havre
6
Rouen
Honfleur
Deauville
Pont-
Audemer
Bayeux
Lessay
Autretot
A quintessential
Norman village set in
the middle of gently
rolling countryside,
Autretot is beautifully
kept by its inhabitants.
In May of each year,
Caen
54
Lisieux
Vernon
N13
Bernay
St-Lô
Evreux
Falaise
Granville
Vire
L'Aigle
Argentan
Flers
Dreux
Avranches
Domfront
Mortagne-au-Perche
2
3
Alençon
Chartres
Fougères
50
miles
0
km
50
Barfleur, St-Céneri-le-Gérei, Beuvron-en-Auge and Lyons-la-Forêt
are designated among the 142 “Plus Beaux Villages de France .
63
