Beaubec-La-Rosière: Nature, Trails and History

Three interests are especially relevant when choosing a place to stay in Beaubec-la-Rosière: local history, nature in the Bois de Léon, and hiking or other excursions. When looking for a hotel, you can plan your trip around whether you want to focus on historical connections, a natural area or a specific route. The following destinations offer different points of interest for your visit.

The Chapel and Abbey History

The Chapelle Sainte-Ursule has been listed as a historic monument since November 24, 1926. Another historical connection is the former Abbey of Saint-Laurent de Beaubec: Hugues II de Gournay founded it in 1118 or 1127; in 1147, the abbey joined the Cistercian Order. These provide two different perspectives on local history: the chapel’s historic monument listing and the abbey’s founding and later affiliation with the order. Two possible dates are given for its foundation, while its entry into the order is dated to 1147.

The Bois de Léon Natural Area

The ZNIEFF “LE BOIS DE LÉON” includes Beaubec-la-Rosière and covers an area of 43.44 hectares. The forest of the Bois de Léon contains bog and oligotrophic habitats; oligotrophic means nutrient-poor. The inventory data from June 2024 also lists the regionally protected cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) there. It is important to note the scope of these figures: the area given applies to the ZNIEFF, while the habitats are identified as being in the forest of the Bois de Léon. Thus, alongside the size of the area, specific ecological features are also highlighted.

The Avenue Verte and a Circular Hike

The Avenue Verte is a route for non-motorized travel, laid out along a disused railway line. It connects Dieppe and Forges-les-Eaux over approximately 40 kilometers. The route can be used by bicycle, on horseback, on foot and on roller skates; its profile also makes it easier for people with reduced mobility to get around. This describes both the approximate length of the route and several ways of traveling along it.

A route description updated in December 2024 lists the 15.3-kilometer circular route “Rando BEAUBEC LA ROSIERE: Nos villages typiques du Pays de Bray- Normandie”; it starts at the Avenue Verte parking lot in Beaubec-la-Rosière. The approximately 40 kilometers of the Avenue Verte refer to the route between Dieppe and Forges-les-Eaux; the 15.3 kilometers refer to the circular route starting in Beaubec-la-Rosière. Check local conditions before setting out on a hike.

More Things to Do Along the Way

Le Coq à l’Âne rents out saddled donkeys for half-day, full-day or multi-day hikes. It also offers introductory short hikes on the Avenue Verte and a fun orienteering course. Another option is a donkey-drawn carriage ride: the carriage has a ramp and can also accommodate a wheelchair. The rental options range from shorter outings to full-day or multi-day hikes. Confirm availability directly with Le Coq à l’Âne before you arrive.

Les Racines du Goût

At the foot of the Avenue Verte is Les Racines du Goût, an open-air bar serving 100 percent homemade food made with local and farm-produced ingredients. You can get there by car, bicycle or on horseback. Access may change depending on operations, so check before your visit. The food offering and opening arrangements may also vary by season. If you want to combine the route with a stop, take both the season and access and service conditions into account.

Discover more destinations: Biville-la-Rivière, Saint-Aubin-Sur-Mer, Bailleul-Neuville, Criquiers, Valliquerville, Morgny-La-Pommeraye, Saint-Étienne-Du-Rouvray, Daubeuf-Serville.

For the overview of the wider region: Seine-Maritime.