Fontenay: Church, manor houses and walking routes
Accommodation in Fontenay
Fontenay lies in the Pays de Caux, in a valley watered by the Curande. The stream La Curande rises at Clos Saint-Michel in Fontenay and then flows into the LĂ©zarde at Montivilliers. Meadows and farmland shape the surrounding landscape; the varied habitats also include wetlands and wooded slopes. This gives your stay two clear points of focus: the scenery along the walking routes and the architectural history of the church and manor houses. If you are looking for a destination that combines hiking and culture, these themes provide a thread to follow during your time in Fontenay.
Saint-Michel Church and its details
Dedicated to Saint Michael, Saint-Michel Church has an 11th-century bell tower. Its carved modillions depict a variety of motifs: plants, grimacing heads, animals and figures. The combination of its religious dedication, the age of the tower and the stone carvings gives culture enthusiasts several specific details to focus on. Since 2016, the Pierres en lumières festival has been co-hosted in Seine-Maritime. On 30 May 2026, a torchlight tour of Saint-Michel Church was part of the festival programme.
Manor houses and architectural styles
Manor houses offer a useful perspective on the history of the area. The Manoir du Tôt is one of Fontenay’s manor houses built in the 16th century. The Château du Tôt offers further architectural details: parts of it are made of black flint, white stone and brick. The Manoir de la Clinarderie includes a dovecote. Each site has its own distinctive details: the Manoir du Tôt stands out for its historical period, the Château du Tôt for its combination of materials, and the Clinarderie for an associated structure. Together with the 11th-century bell tower, these buildings span a period from medieval construction to the manor houses built in the 16th century.
Two walking routes through Fontenay
Both walking routes pass through Fontenay, but provide different planning details. The moderately difficult Circuit des Vallons is 16.5 km long, with a stated duration of 3 hours and 45 minutes. You can take the distance, estimated time and difficulty into account when planning. The Circuit RĂ©bultot-LĂ©zarde also passes through Fontenay; along the route, you can discover, among other things, the wetland at the mill site and the Plaine du TĂ´t. The difference can help you choose: the Circuit des Vallons can be assessed by its distance and duration, while two landscape highlights give the Circuit RĂ©bultot-LĂ©zarde its particular character. This lets you weigh up whether specific route details or the named landscape destinations matter more to you.
Practical planning
FiLBus is a demand-responsive, stop-to-stop transport service that serves Fontenay within the Communauté urbaine Le Havre Seine Métropole area. A timetable change from 5 September 2026 was announced; check the current service details before travelling. SARL DUBOCAVE sells fruit and vegetables at 3 rue Saint-Michel in Fontenay. If you plan to visit, check the current opening arrangements beforehand.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Eustache-la-Forêt, Thérouldeville, Les Loges, Fauville En Caux, Isneauville, Yainville, Val-De-Saâne, Notre-Dame-De-Bliquetuit
For the broader travel overview: Seine-Maritime.
