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Gruchet-le-valasse, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie

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Welcome to Gruchet-le-Valasse, nestled in the heart of Seine-Maritime in Haute-Normandie. This charming village, rich in history and heritage, will captivate you with its picturesque landscapes and tranquil atmosphere. Explore the impressive Abbey of Gruchet, a 12th-century architectural gem surrounded by lush gardens. Nature lovers will enjoy the hiking trails winding through verdant countryside,...See more

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LE MOULIN DE CORDOUEN, 10 PERS, BAIN NORDIQUE ET SAUNA
130 km

LE MOULIN DE CORDOUEN, 10 PERS, BAIN NORDIQUE ET SAUNA

If you're looking for a wellness break in an unspoilt natural setting, with friends or family, the Moulin de Cordouen, between Mayenne and Orne, offers a quality service with its sauna and Nordic bath on the River Mayenne. The Moulin has been redesigned by an architect to offer spacious accommodation in every room, with bay windows to take advantage of the waterfall and the landscape. The two stone buildings are linked by a glass roof and completely surrounded by wooden terraces. They can accommodate up to 10 people. On the ground floor, the living area - 58m² - is very bright and features a lounge area with large sofas, widescreen TV and pellet stove, a large dining table and an open-plan fitted kitchen, a utility room (washing machine, tumble dryer). A wellness area with sauna, Italian shower and separate toilet, open onto the Nordic bath terrace. Superb views of the river and hills. Sleeping area: 2 bedrooms (28m²), one with 1 double bed (160*200) and 1 single bed (90*200) and the other with 1 double bed (160*200), each with en suite facilities. Upstairs, 2 bedrooms, one with 1 160*200 bed and the second with 3 90*200 beds, a shower room with walk-in shower and wc. The full service includes bathroom linen, including bathrobes for adults, household linen, electricity, wood and pellets (heating). Optional: cleaning (120€), if you do not select this option when booking, a cleaning cheque must be deposited on arrival and returned at the end of your stay if the cleaning is completed. All shops in Pré-en-Pail Samson 7km away and many producers around the gîte (ask for advice on arrival). The spa town of Bagnoles de l'Orne is 19km away. Don't miss the fortified castle of Lassay-les-Châteaux with its 8 massive towers and drawbridge still in use!

Le Moulin de Cordouen 53140 SAINT-CALAIS-DU-DESERT
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Vitrail commémoratif
4.1 km

Vitrail commémoratif

Passionate about the events of the 1st World War, I was delighted to learn of the existence of this stained-glass window when the Seine-Maritime department announced its list of "Rural Heritage" sites. Let's go and discover it! As I drive through the pretty, flower-filled village of Saint-Jean-de-Folleville, I head for the church and park in the Mairie parking lot. This is a former presbytery, beautifully constructed in white sandstone and brick. The landscaping is most pleasing, with perfectly trimmed boxwood topiaries. My nostrils perk up as I pass the fragrant rosebushes. An excellent start to the visit! As I tread the ancient cobblestones, I spot the "rural heritage label" totem at the entrance to the cemetery. It tells the story of the stained-glass memorial window, with explanations and photos that only increase my desire to discover it. Pushing open a black gate, I walk along the wall of the church, surrounded by the graves of the follevillais. Next to the church porch is a calvary, with the war memorial topped by a war cross not far away. I push open the church door and discover a place that shimmers in the light of the colored stained-glass windows. In front of me is the altar, with pews arranged on either side of the nave. On my right, close to the confessional, I can see the stained-glass memorial window depicting twenty-five soldiers who fell in battle or died of wounds sustained in the First World War. The military portraits are based on photographic archives of the poilus, except for one whose name is Isidore and whose photo has not been found. I was amazed and moved by the depictions of these lost soldiers, whose gazes will stay with us forever. They are so real, ready to come to life. Each has his first and last name, as well as the place and date of the moment when life stopped for him. Their representation moves me. Some are dressed in combat gear, as if ready to go to the front. Others look at us wearing their caps or kepis, depending on their rank or corps. I remember leafing through family photo albums with my grandmother, in which I could see my ancestors proudly wearing their military uniforms. There are definitely a lot of emotions running through me. Combining patriotism and religion, a soldier is depicted in agony in the center of the work, in the arms of a nurse, the latter showing him Christ on the cross. The link between religious and patriotic sacrifice is symbolically highlighted in the center of the stained-glass window. A lectern with a book of remembrance is available to visitors, with personal letters from the poilus in the stained-glass window and archival documents. I find myself reading some of them. With their beautiful handwriting, it's as if the lost soldiers come to life again through their thoughts. I close the door of the church softly, full of emotion, with the tragic memories of our French history fresh in my mind. As I drive back to my car, I become aware of the need for remembrance, and tell myself that we are fortunate to have at our disposal so many memorial sites from the 1st and 2nd World Wars, which left their mark on our Normandy region.

Rue de l'Église 76170 SAINT-JEAN-DE-FOLLEVILLE
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L'Enclos Protestant
5.3 km

L'Enclos Protestant

Labelled "Rural Heritage of the Seine-Maritime" in 2021, the Protestant Enclosure of the commune of Trois-Pierres, completes the offer of cultural tourism of the Seine Valley, in Normandy. My friend Pierre, a student in History, is preparing a thesis on Protestantism in Normandy. He is currently working on the part devoted to the Seine-Maritime region; we regularly visit sites related to the Protestant religious practice that has developed there since the 16th century. This Sunday, we are near Bolbec, in the commune of Trois-Pierres, which has a particular place in the quality of a Protestant enclosure. Totally unusual, it is a small island of greenery lost in the middle of suburban dwellings that we discover. Along the road, a magnificent landscape hedge made of roses, dominated by umbrella pines gives an Italian look. We are already seduced! At the entrance of the enclosure, some steps create a separation by a raised level of the road and gives a certain majesty to the place. Built some 170 years ago, the site presents ancient tombs, some of which have collapsed. A logic of "everything askew" inhabits the place because if you look at it, nothing is straight, everything leans. Obviously a great sobriety brings us a beautiful serenity. This place is particularly well maintained and brings an original touch in this environment. Pierre is totally absorbed by this place, he writes a lot of notes and also takes many pictures. It must be said that there is enough to do for any Instagrameur here! We leave this place full of poetry and take the road to Rouen because Pierre and I have an appointment with the Saint-Eloi temple, located behind one of the institutions of the urban development of the capital of Normandy: the Place de la Pucelle. There a church of the XIIIth century was assigned to the reformed church after the Revolution. But tonight it will be a choral concert as it often is in this place.

30 rue des Charmilles 76430 LES TROIS-PIERRES
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Where to eat in Gruchet-le-valasse

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Where to sleep in Gruchet-le-valasse

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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾