La Saussaye: Walking Trails and Heritage

Discover La Saussaye via its named walking trails and historic sites. The Saint-Nicolas Trail is marked in blue and starts at Place du Cloître; the Saint-Louis walk covers nine points of interest. Historic sites include the Collégiale, the protected site around the square, the Maison du sonneur and the Saut du Loup. This lets you choose trails and sights based on the focus of your visit. If you’d like to observe birds, plants and insects along the way, you can do so on the Saint-Louis walk; “La Saussaye au fil des mares” is also a walking trail for discovering the area.

Walking Trails and Directions

The Saint-Nicolas de Bosc Asselin walking trail is marked in blue, is ten kilometres long and starts at Place du Cloître in La Saussaye. Check the trail markers and starting point again before setting out. The Saint-Louis walk covers nine points of interest and takes about an hour. Practical route details may change; check them before you start. On this walk, you can observe birds, plants and insects.

“La Saussaye au fil des mares” is another walking trail that lets you discover La Saussaye. Check trail conditions before setting out. The Saint-Nicolas Trail is ten kilometres long; the Saint-Louis walk takes about an hour.

Collégiale Saint-Louis and Protected Site

The Collégiale Saint-Louis is dedicated to Saint Louis and was built by Guillaume d’Harcourt between 1307 and 1317. It was built on the remains of the d’Harcourt family chapel. Fires destroyed the church in 1553 and 1875. Objects belonging to the Charitons are displayed in a chapel in the Collégiale Saint-Louis.

The Place de La Saussaye site has been listed as a protected site since 18 July 1931. It includes the Collégiale, the lime trees in front of the west façade, lawns, the cemetery and the enclosure around the old well. A gateway with two unequal bases dating from the 14th century is also part of the site.

Well, Maison du sonneur and Historic Features

There is an 85-metre-deep well on the lawn in front of the town hall. In the past, monks allowed the so-called «bordiers»—poor, indebted rural dwellers—to draw water there.

At the Maison du sonneur, a striking plaster bell can be seen on the timber-framed gable. It served as a sign for the former resident, who held the role of bell ringer.

The Saut du Loup is a deep, still-visible ditch without a rampart. It protected the entrance to an estate and, in the past, the castle. The Porte d’en haut can also still be seen near the «pelouse».

Discover more destinations: Gouville, Gasny, Saussay-La-Campagne, Jumelles, Morainville-Jouveaux, Breteuil, Bourth, Epaignes.

For the regional travel overview: Eure.