Page 75 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 5: Forests and Gardens 73

in 2008 after standing for over 300 w Eu
years. Follow the path through more Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie;
twists and turns and viewpoints over 76260
the village of Incheville to meet the Thanks to its special history, Eu looks
Route Louise at one of the forest’s surprisingly grand for a small town.
main junctions, indicated by metal The Irish saint, Laurence O’Toole died
poteaux or sign posts. Take this path here in 1180, and the magni ficent
to the right, and follow it through the Gothic Collégiale church was built
woods above Incheville until it meets over his tomb. The splendid
the Route Forestière St-Martin. Turn 16th-century French-Renaissance-
right to head straight back to the car style Château d’Eu (open Wed–Mon
through the heart of the forest, one Mar–Nov) was the favourite home
of the best places in the forest for of King Louis-Philippe. Among the
seeing wildlife. On the way, at Siège items on display inside are memen-
Madame 3, a sentier botanique or tos of the 1843 visit of Queen Victoria.
botanical path has been marked out There are more distinguished
off the main track, indentifying over buildings around Eu’s streets, and
40 different plants. the Friday market is very popular.
For a longer walk, stay on Route ª From the Château d’Eu the
Louise and turn left onto Route Route du Tréport, D1915, leads
Tournante, then right on Route de directly to Le Tréport, where a curving Above Collégiale church in Eu built over the
Monchy and right again onto Route bridge by the quai crosses over to tomb of St Laurence O’Toole Below Art
de la Poterie to follow this track back Mers-les-Bains. Noveau houses on the seafront, Mers-les-Bains
to the parking area along the Yères
Valley side of the forest. Before e Le Tréport and
getting back into the car, walk down Mers-les-Bains
the Route de Beaumont a little way Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie;
to look across at the excavations of 76470. Somme, Picardie; 80350
Bois-l’Abbé 4. Mainly excavated over On either side of the Bresle river, these
the last 20 years, this is believed to two towns were among France’s first
have been a major Gallo-Roman city seaside resorts. Le Tréport to the west
between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. is an important fishing port, and fresh
Excavations are ongoing, but have fish and seafood are the main stays of
already revealed the city’s forum, a the bustling restaurants along the
theatre and a large Roman bath quayside. Mers-les-Bains, on the
complex. Visitors can see a lot of the Somme side, has the best beach and
site from beside the fence around it. a long seafront of extra ordinary 1900s EAT AND DRINK
From June to September guided Art Nouveau houses, with ornate
tours are provided every Tuesday and balconies and gorgeous tile work. EU
Sunday afternoon. ª Take the D940 for Dieppe from Le Domaine de Joinville
ª Take the Route de Beaumont from Tréport’s main avenue; as it climbs moderate–expensive
This excellent and surprisingly
the forest past Bois l’Abbé, which joins look for a right turn onto Boulevard
reasonably priced restaurant is
the D49 road into the centre of Eu. du Calvaire for a spectacular route
located in Château d‘Eu’s 19th-century
Except during the Friday market, there along the cliffs. This rejoins the main hunting lodge housed in the heart
is ample parking around the château. D925 Dieppe road at Criel-sur-Mer. of the Forêt d’ Eu.
Route du Tréport, 76260; 02 35 50 52 52;
www.domainejoinville.com
AROUND LE TRÉPORT
Le Cise expensive
A stunning restaurant at Bois de Cise,
a curious little Art Nouveau holiday
village concealed in a sheltered
wooded inlet in the cliffs north of
Mers-les-Bains. The clifftop restaurant
has a superb panoramic seaview from
the dining room and terrace. The
adventurous modern cooking is full of
enticing flavours, especially the catch-
of-the-day fish and seafood.
Route de la Plage, Bois de Cise, Ault,
80460; 03 22 26 46 46; www.lecise.
com; closed Mon