Lyons la Forêt
If you’re looking for somewhere romantic to visit in countryside just 1½ hours from Paris, come to Lyons la Forêt, one of the “Loveliest Villages in France”.
Lyons la Forêt : en mode slow !
If you’re looking for somewhere romantic to visit in countryside just 1½ hours from Paris, come to Lyons la Forêt, one of the “Loveliest Villages in France”. Charm, authenticity and serenity are key words to describe this chic destination, full of character. Stroll through its streets of half-timbered houses and antique shops, watch the world go by at a pavement café, enjoy a meal in a cosy restaurant or explore the Sunday morning indoor market. Relax and unwind in timeless surroundings. The village is located at the heart of one of the finest beech forests in Europe so woodland walks and outdoor activities are definitely on the programme ! You can even treat yourself to a treatment session at the famous Nuxe spa. And by the way, the area has twice been the venue for film adaptations of the novel Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert !
Make the most of your stay at Lyons la Forêt to take a look around the Hotel de Ville (town hall) with its dungeons and court room. You can also take a guided tour of the historic village centre to see the historic convents beside the Lieure, watermills, the old police station, etc. The market hall is the venue for markets, art exhibitions and jazz concerts.
The forest contains several treasures too including remarkable trees, the Fontaine Sainte-Catherine (holy well) and the Abbaye de Mortemer (its historic ruins are in an idyllic setting, a lovely place for a walk). The Arboretum de Lyons has a discovery trail for all the family to learn about its different trees. The forest is very rich in biodiversity with a wide range of flora and fauna. More than a hundred species of birds have been observed there as well as deer and wild boar, a paradise for photo enthusiasts ! In autumn you can go mushroom picking too.
Lyons-la-Forêt, the Vallée de l'Andelle and its châteaux
After visiting Lyons and its forest, there are plenty of other attractions in the area, notably in the Andelle Valley :
- Nestling at the foot of a miracle spring « the spring which heals » in unspoilt countryside, stands the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Fontaine-Guérard, founded in 1190. Despite the Revolution of 1789, the surviving buildings of this monastery remain a masterpiece of early 13th century Gothic Anglo-Norman architecture. You are sure to fall under the spell of this magical place !
- The Château de Vascœuil, with its 12th century octagonal tower and 17th century outbuildings including a superb dovecote, is now a well-known art centre on the edge of the Forêt de Lyons.
- The Château d’Heudicourt, an 18th century listed building, is built in red brick surrounded by a moat and bordered by grounds laid out ‘à la Française’.
- Visit the magnificent Château de Fleury-la-Forêt too. This listed building has remarkable kitchens with a thousand objects, collections of copperware, earthenware and china.
- The Château de Martainville is a listed building which currently houses the Musée départemental des Traditions et Arts Normands (Museum of Norman Traditions and Arts).
The Lyons National Forest
Explore the Forêt Domaniale de Lyons (national forest), Vallée de la Lieure and Vallée de l’Andelle. Relax, unwind, recharge your batteries and enjoy the beautiful scenery on foot, by bike or on horseback (there are 6 riding centres in the vicinity). There is also a swimming pool, crazy golf and fishing on the River Andelle.
« The covered marketplace is well worth a visit, especially on market day. I love walking around the shops in the square and stopping for a drink at a pavement café. »
In Normandy, 30 minutes from Rouen and only 1½ hours from Paris : easy access via autoroute or by train to Rouen or Gisors (change for Paris Saint Lazare). Free car park. Motorbike parking. Electric car charging point.
Continue your tour of the Eure region in Normandy at Verneuil d’Avre et d’Iton
