Ouville-La-Rivière: Cycling Route and Local History

Ouville-La-Rivière combines a cycling route that runs through the village with a local history reflected in its war memorial, church, crosses and former river industry. The Saâne, the municipality’s main river, flows through it. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, these features offer a range of interests: cycling, local history and the landscapes of the Saâne Valley. When planning your trip, you can choose between a route through the village and a broader regional perspective on the valley.

Cycling the Véloroute du Lin

An 18-kilometre section of the signposted Véloroute du Lin passes through Ouville-La-Rivière. The route is closed to motorised vehicles and is easy and flat. For the most part, it follows the former Dieppe–Fécamp railway line. Its current use as a cycling route and its former function as a railway therefore share the same path. Check the route conditions before setting out.

A bicycle rental service is located in Ouville-La-Rivière between the Véloroute du Lin and the Vélomaritime (EuroVelo 4). As operating details can change, check availability for your visit dates in advance.

War Memorial and Saint-Gilles Church

The history of the war memorial can be traced through three dates: in 1919, American sculptor Cecil Howard was commissioned to create the First World War memorial. It was inaugurated on 8 May 1921. In 1966, it was moved to the vicinity of the church.

Saint-Gilles Church has a bell tower atop a square tower. The protected site L'EGLISE D'OUVILLE-LA-RIVIERE comprises the church, its surroundings and the access steps. Thus, alongside the war memorial, whose history is anchored to specific dates, the church and its architectural features are also central to the history of the village.

Crosses, châteaux and more local history

One of Ouville-La-Rivière’s five old crosses stands on the Côte Sainte-Apolline hill. A local custom associated with the Croix de Sainte-Apolline involves leaving ribbons at the cross and praying to the saint for relief from headaches or toothaches. This gives the site a distinct connection to local religious practices.

The Château d'Ouville lies at the edge of the village on the road towards Offranville. The Château de Tous les Mesnils includes a dovecote and a chapel. After years of neglect, the chapel was carefully restored, and its old, broken bell was recast. Villa Salammbô was built by a niece of Gustave Flaubert. The former power station of Ouville-La-Rivière is a remnant of the industrial activity associated with the Saâne.

The Saâne in its regional context

In the broader landscape of the Terroir de Caux, the GR 212 follows the Saâne Valley from Val-de-Saâne to the sea. The protected valley offers varied landscapes along the water. This brings together two different scales: the Véloroute du Lin passes through Ouville-La-Rivière, while the GR 212 follows the course of the valley in the Terroir de Caux. When planning your trip, you can distinguish the cycling route’s direct connection to the village from the regional perspective on the Saâne Valley.

Discover more destinations: Bardouville, Houdetot, Saint-Martin-Du-Vivier, Blainville-Crevon, Sotteville-Lès-Rouen, Néville, Yvetot, Saint-Jean-Du-Cardonnay.

For the broader travel overview: Seine-Maritime.