Located in Normandy, the Eure is best known for having hosted the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet for 43 years in the beautiful village of Giverny, which houses the artist's house and gardens which can still be visited. But the Normandy department has many other treasures to reveal to all those who wish to put down their suitcases for a weekend or more, why deprive yourself? The territory reveals indeed a refreshing countryside. It is also crossed by many rivers, including the Eure and the Seine. It is an ideal destination to spend time outdoors, to unwind, to recharge your batteries and to spend pleasant moments with family or friends. On land, in the air or on the water, the Eure offers a wide range of activities to enjoy while marvelling at the preserved natural environment. Here is a part of Normandy that is definitely worth a visit and a return visit.
Sports activities, thrills and fun to be had in the Eure
The Eure is a great place to play with the elements, to indulge in outdoor sports, but also to have a good time, to let off steam, thanks to the diversity of its green landscapes. You can start on the ground with the discovery of numerous mountain bike trails located in the forests of the department. Let's mention the "Chemin du Rossignol", during which you can immerse yourself in the identity of the Risle valley and the Risle Estuaire region. Cycling is also an opportunity to ride along the typical small roads of Normandy, where you can enjoy the villages and heritage. The Eure will allow you to take to the skies to enjoy unforgettable views of the region's landscapes and the loops of the Seine Normande. Paragliding, airplane, two-seater, helicopter or ULM, the department is equipped with many sites of takeoff and landing. The stone, by taking the direction of the cliffs of Andelys in valley of the Seine to devote itself to the climbing? The river is overlooked and the activity can be practised by adults as well as children who are eager for thrills. And then, to get even more exercise and enjoy the forests and uneven terrain of the Seine Valley, there is nothing like a trail session. Because despite its geographical position, the Eure is not short of height differences.
When the fine weather starts to show and the temperatures become milder, the leisure centres and other swimming spots are waiting impatiently for you. Starting with the famous Léry-Poses leisure park, with its supervised beaches, where you can enjoy a large number of activities on the water and around the lake: swimming, sailing, paddle, electric surfing, inflatables, water ski lift, no-kill fishing, pétanque, beach volleyball, tennis, football, mountain biking, golf and much more! For canoeing, you can also join Aventure'Eure - Le Canoë and Randonn'Eure in Autheuil-Authouillet. You can also have fun during archery, bubble football and tandem mountain biking sessions. Large wooded areas also mean the possibility of tree climbing. In Brosville, Acroforest awaits groups with 12 thrilling courses. You will also enjoy quads for children, mini-golf, commando courses and other laser game games. In Tillières-sur-Avre, Acting Loisirs has a 5-hectare park where you can play paintball, Archery Game or even a treasure hunt.
The Eure, an area to discover during soft activities
If the Eure is a wonderful territory to let off steam and test your resistance to effort during fun and sporting activities, the beauty of its natural areas is conducive to many gentle outdoor activities. A stay in the Eure is an opportunity to disconnect, to break for a moment with the hectic pace of daily urban life to take the time to enjoy the landscape and reconnect with nature. To enjoy the countryside, there is nothing like hiking. With good walking shoes, a backpack, supplies and poles in hand, you are ready to discover some of the loops you can do for the day. The itineraries lead to hamlets, in the bocages and along the Seine. Not forgetting the Marais Vernier, a wetland in the shape of an amphitheatre with an incredible biodiversity to observe and the largest peat bog in France. Walking tours also allow you to get closer to the heritage. The Eure is rich in monuments, with washhouses, mills, abbeys and ancient castles. The walk around the elegant castle of Pinterville, made of brick and stone, is a good example. It should be noted that the Eure also offers beautiful walking routes, such as the GR2, which leads hikers along the Seine.
Cycling is another key activity for slowing down in the Eure. Greenways are spread throughout the department. They cross valleys and charming villages. For example, the greenway from Évreux to Bec-Hellouin, the greenway of the Epte valley between Gasny and Gisors or the greenway of the Bois-Francs between Verneuil-sur-Avre and Center Parcs. Major cycle routes are also present in the area. This is how you can take sections of the Avenue verte London Paris and discover the rural landscapes of the Vexin Normand. Nor should we forget to mention the 120 km of the Seine à Vélo cycle network in the Eure. While cycling along the river, you will have the chance to juggle nature with stops in little nuggets such as the towns of Giverny, temple of Impressionism, Vernon and Les Andelys.
For enthusiasts, the Eure is also a jewel of equestrian tourism. The department is home to various clubs that offer rejuvenating itineraries, such as those that take place in the woods around Lyons-la-Forêt, the largest beech forest in Europe, or in the Risle valley and its hedged meadows. On this subject, you should not miss the new itinerary called the Chevauchée du Pays d'Auge à la Seine which, starting from Falaise in Calvados to Jumièges in Seine-Maritime, crosses the Risle valley and offers some notable stops, notably at Bec-Hellouin, labelled as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France".
Finally, canoeing is another way to enjoy the gentle way of life and the beautiful landscapes of the Eure. To practice, you can go down the Risle or the Eure. The courses are easy for young and old.
More information on the website of Eure Tourisme
