25. Saracens Trail – Starting point: Church of Condé-sur-Risle

The walk begins in the charming village of Condé-sur-Risle, where half-timbered houses and a church with a Renaissance portal invite visitors to pause and admire the surroundings. On the outer wall of the nave, a discreet pre-Romanesque doorway bears silent witness to a much older past.

The route then leads to the Saracen Fountain, a former washhouse hidden at the bottom of a secluded valley carved by the Saracens Ravine, an intermittent stream that only comes to life after heavy rainfall. This preserved site is a fine example of traditional Norman bocage, where ancient lime trees, beeches and oaks stand alongside a remarkable collection of pollarded hornbeams, creating a peaceful and timeless atmosphere.

Forest forms the backbone of the route, covering nearly 40% of the trail. In the Bois des Marettes, a beautiful woodland combines oaks and maritime pines beneath a generous canopy. Sections of bocage, open farmland and panoramic views over the Risle Valley and the Saracens Ravine provide a rich variety of landscapes that change beautifully with the seasons.

The final surprise is the Château de la Thillaye, an elegant Louis XIII residence. Its striking façade of red-and-black patterned brickwork, flanked by two corner turrets, creates an unexpected architectural gem in the heart of the Norman countryside.

A walk full of contrasts, combining nature, heritage and wide-open views, accessible to walkers of all levels.