Héricourt-En-Caux: Durdent Valley and Heritage

The Durdent rises in Héricourt-En-Caux. The GR®211 runs through the town along the Durdent Valley; on this section, trails pass between green meadows and wooded slopes. Old mills, washhouses and stone bridges are closely linked to the river here. There are also cultural and historical trails and buildings whose history spans several centuries.

Hiking along the Durdent

There are trails of various lengths to choose from for a walk. The “Aux Sources de la Durdent” loop is about 2 kilometers long and is listed as taking approximately 1.5 hours. It starts at the Salle des Fêtes car park on Place Roncaro, near the football stadium. The loop also has a dedicated activity booklet for children.

A longer route is “Sur les pas de Jehan le Povremoyne,” a 10.6-kilometer hiking trail. It is listed in the PDESI and classified as a Level 2 hiking route of departmental interest. It starts at the Salle Roncaro car park on Route du Moulin Bleu, where you can leave your vehicle. Compared with the longer route, the “Aux Sources de la Durdent” loop is considerably shorter. An approximate duration is provided here only for this loop.

The “Parcours du Saint-Mellon” has a different focus. It passes through a wetland and explains its importance and the role of the Durdent. Those particularly interested in the relationship between landscape and river will find a thematic perspective here that goes beyond the distance covered.

The GR®211 section also brings the landscape and river heritage into view together: alongside meadows and wooded slopes are old mills, washhouses and stone bridges closely linked to the Durdent. The natural surroundings and buildings shaped by the river together define this stretch of the valley.

Buildings and traces of history

The Château du Boscol dates from the 16th and 17th centuries and is partially listed as a protected historic monument. The monument listing was last amended on July 19, 2023. The protected area includes the chapel, dovecote and park walls as well as the château. The château also has a one-kilometer-long beech avenue.

The Chapelle Saint Riquier also reflects several periods of history. It was built around 1715 on the site of an older building dating from the 11th or 12th century. Today, the chapel hosts art exhibitions and cultural events; their dates may vary.

The present-day church of Saint-Denis dates from the 19th century and preserves a 13th-century baptismal font. The font thus points to an earlier period than the church building itself. The mill wheel and a lock can still be seen at the Moulin Quetteville. The Saint Mellon spring is a pilgrimage site. Together, these places show different aspects of local heritage, from religious associations to traces of the technical use of water.

A cycling route with regional destinations

The 2024 official tourism guide lists Héricourt-En-Caux as the starting point for the “Entre Seine et Mer à Vélo” cycling route. From there, the route heads toward the Seine Valley or as far as Veulettes-sur-Mer on the coast. In addition to the hiking trails described, destinations in different directions can therefore help with travel planning.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Laurent-de-Brèvedent, Trouville, Le Chesnay, Tourville-La-Chapelle, La Ferté-Saint-Samson, Orival, Saint-Martin-Aux-Buneaux, Bacqueville-En-Caux.

View the broader travel guide: Seine-Maritime.