Préaux: Hiking Routes, Gardens and Heritage

If you include hiking in Préaux in your travel plans, you can compare four routes by distance: A route guide created from IGN-Rando data on May 17, 2024, lists Le Trou de Rouen at 7.4 kilometers; the municipal route information lists Le petit Verger at 8.9 kilometers, Par le chemin d’Ecorchevache at 10.5 kilometers, and Préaux – la visite at 13.7 kilometers. Le Trou de Rouen is therefore the shortest, and Préaux – la visite the longest of the four routes. Starting points and route layouts offer further distinctions. This lets you match your preferred distance with the specific destinations and route features you have in mind for your stay.

Hiking Routes and Starting Points

Le Trou de Rouen is a circular route starting in Préaux. It passes through the town center and open plains, bringing together two distinct landscapes. The 8.9-kilometer Le petit Verger route begins at the parking lot du Pratelli on Rue du Stade. Préaux – la visite also starts there and offers a longer distance of 13.7 kilometers. The two routes differ by 4.8 kilometers; they share the stated starting point but vary considerably in length.

On the 10.5-kilometer “Par le chemin d’Ecorchevache” route, follow Route de Bellevue, switch to Chemin d’Ecorchevache in the Forêt de la Muette before the SNCF bridge, and return to Préaux via Rue du Vieux Château. The forest section and named paths give this route its own distinctive layout. Check road and path conditions before setting out. When comparing the routes, both their distance and their respective starting points and layouts can help you decide.

Church and History

The Église Notre-Dame de Préaux brings together several historical periods. Its choir stalls date from the first quarter of the 16th century and come from the Priory of Beaulieu in Bois-l’Evêque. They are classified as a protected movable cultural object; the listing took place on October 20, 1913. The history of the church building itself is separate: the church was rebuilt in 1776 using materials from the former collegiate church of Beaulieu, which had been dissolved around 1772. The choir stalls and the rebuilding thus refer to different periods.

The architecture of the Église Notre-Dame de Préaux is also described in distinctive terms: its imposing west end includes a sturdy square bell tower and a large, rectangular, single-nave church. These architectural details complement the historical information with specific features of the building. Travelers interested in church architecture can therefore consider both its design and the origins of some of its furnishings and building materials.

Historic Buildings

A route guide created in 2024 describes two more châteaux, built in different periods. The Château du Bout de la ville dates from the late 18th century; the year 1784 is inscribed on the cornice of its central gable. The Château de Sainte-Croix dates from the first half of the 19th century. It was built mainly of brick and features slate cladding. The two buildings can thus be distinguished by period and materials.

The Château de la Bellevue can be seen from the Le Trou de Rouen route. It is privately owned and was originally a hunting lodge. The former Maison du baillage is also named as an architectural point of reference along the same route; this building is privately owned as well. The specific route references differ: Bellevue is noted as visible, while the Maison du baillage is identified as a named point of reference.

Community Gardens and Cider

The Jardins Partagés of “Jardins en fête” are communally created or maintained and open to the public. If you visit the community gardens while a member is there, they will welcome you, show you around the gardens, or answer your questions. Public access and personal welcome are distinct: a greeting, tour, and answers depend on a member being present.

A 2024 route guide also features Cidrerie Le Sonneur du Val in Préaux. It describes farmhouse cider, traditionally made from pure juice pressed from cider apples and offered for tasting. Alongside hiking trails and architectural history, community gardens and a local cider house are therefore among the different options to consider when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Montivilliers, Clères, Auzouville-sur-Saâne, Belmesnil, La Bouille, Quiberville, Bernières, Ouville-La-Rivière.

For the broader travel overview: Seine-Maritime.