Barentin: Art, Culture and Landscapes

Barentin brings together art in public spaces, exhibitions, a seasonal performing arts programme, and themes from landscape and industrial history. When planning your trip, you can consider whether a cultural event, historic buildings or opportunities for exercise are your priority. The options range from sculptures in various locations to a 26-kilometre circular walk starting in Barentin.

Art in public spaces, exhibitions and performing arts

The “Musée dans la rue” is Barentin’s open-air museum, with more than 160 sculptures. They stand in gardens, squares, at intersections and around public buildings. By contrast, the permanent exhibition at the Salle d’exposition Camille Claudel brings together 57 works, including busts, statues and paintings. Auguste Rodin’s “L'homme qui marche” is also part of the permanent exhibition.

The Théâtre Montdory has 400 seats. Its programme runs from September to June and includes theatre, dance, concerts, comedy, circus, artist residencies, as well as film screenings for children and adults. If a theatre visit determines your travel dates, check the date against the specific programme.

Digital art and film history

The Musée Numérique presents art history through two digital facilities. MUSE Découverte offers a route with 18 stations, combining reproductions of artworks with playful educational resources on significant works from prehistory to the present day. The Micro-Folie provides access to more than 2,000 masterpieces via a large screen and synchronised tablets. The formats have different focuses: a route spanning chronological periods and a digitally presented selection of artworks.

Another link to film history can be found at the Giratoire du Plateau du Mesnil-Roux: the replica there was made from polyester for Gérard Oury’s 1969 film “Le Cerveau”.

Architectural history and a former tradition

At the Chapelle Saint-Hélier, you can distinguish between different construction periods. The choir’s eastern end dates from the late 12th or early 13th century; the chapel was rebuilt in the 16th century. It was also once a pilgrimage site, where a ritual fire was held on 16 July.

The Viaduc de Chemin de Fer was built in 1846 by the English engineer Locke for the Rouen–Le Havre railway line. Together with the chapel, it offers a view of two different aspects of local history: religious architecture and railway infrastructure.

Landscape, industrial history and activities

Parc Auguste Badin was inaugurated in September 2025 on the site of the former Badin industrial wasteland and covers 17 hectares. More than 75 percent of the park is dedicated to natural areas. These include meadows, wetlands, trees, landscaped paths and ecological corridors. A historical exhibition in the park covers the cotton mill, linen and jute production, the Badin family, and the site’s workers. Nature and the history of industrial use are thus presented together.

The aquatic area at Les Bains de l’Austreberthe includes four pools and a water slide. The leisure pool features a gently flowing adventure river and a bubble bench. If you plan to include a visit to the pool in your stay, check the latest information before you go.

The “Plateau de Caux et Vallées” circular walk is 26 kilometres long and starts in Barentin. Alongside the cultural and leisure options, this offers a tour with a clearly specified distance. Consider it as a dedicated hiking option when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Colleville, Biville-la-Rivière, Saint-Aubin-Le-Cauf, Hautot-Sur-Mer, Derchigny, Saint-Saëns, Limésy, Beaubec-La-Rosière

View the wider travel guide: Seine-Maritime.