A trip to the Eure department can focus on wetlands, art and history, or active experiences. The Marais Vernier offers a distinctive landscape: this 4,500-hectare wetland formed in an ancient meander of the Seine. There are also places and routes with different highlights, from rare wetland plants to art collections and cycling trails.

Wetlands and nature trails

Les Courtils in the Marais Vernier is a protected natural area in the Eure department, home to rare and endangered wetland flora. At the Poudres-Bouafles site, remarkable plant communities shape the landscape, and rare plant and animal species can be found there. The Sentier des Rossignols passes through the site and offers opportunities for walks. This lets you combine an interest in the landscape with a specific walking route, without presenting the two places as one continuous trail.

Art and history

Château de Vascœuil brings together a château, garden, museum and contemporary art in a visitor experience that connects past and present. The park and French garden feature a permanent collection of more than 50 original sculptures. The estate is also home to the Musée Jules Michelet, which is associated with Michelet’s stays and writing there. Since 2003, the collection-holding institution at the Musée d’Art, Histoire et Archéologie d’Évreux has been designated a Musée de France under French heritage law.

The Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny is dedicated to the international Impressionist movement, Post-Impressionism and later developments. Its exhibition programme changes, so check what is on during your travel dates before visiting. Château Gaillard offers a different perspective on history: Richard the Lionheart had the castle built between 1196 and 1198 on a rocky promontory 90 metres above the Seine. The château offers panoramic views over the Seine Valley; the riverbanks there are part of a Natura 2000 site. Château Médiéval de Montfort-sur-Risle dates from the 11th or 12th century, is connected with the history of the Norman dukes, and also offers panoramic views over a valley.

Cycling and water activities

Two routes of different overall lengths provide options for a cycling trip: the Vallée de l’Eure à vélo is 170 kilometres long, running between Chartres and Rouen along greenways on former railway lines. La Seine à Vélo covers more than 510 kilometres between Paris and Le Havre or Deauville. These figures refer to the full routes, not the riding time for a single stage; check the current route and signage before setting off.

There are several described ways to get to Giverny. From Vernon-Giverny station, you can take an electric shuttle or a narrated tourist train. Nomad-Car route 208 also serves Giverny and connects Gisors with Vernon. By bike, the journey from Vernon to Giverny along La Seine à Vélo takes about 20 minutes. As timetables and seasonal operating details may matter, it is worth checking the information for your planned travel date.

Parc de loisirs de Léry-Poses lies at the confluence of the Eure and the Seine and offers a range of water activities. Biotropica, a zoological park, is also located on the same site. Canoe trips on calm rivers and accrobranche treetop adventure courses are also available in the Eure department; availability depends on the individual operators. These options on the water are distinct from the longer cycling routes and individual cultural attractions.

Farm visits and seasonal events

Ferme des Amélias in the Pays d’Ouche makes Camembert, cider and yoghurt on site and offers tastings. Guided visits to the farm and cheese-making facilities are also available. Check the current arrangements for visits in advance. The Fête de la Pomme, du Cidre et du Fromage takes place at the Conches Arboretum, with local producers and craftspeople. Dates and programme are seasonal, so plan your visit around the announced event dates.

When choosing a hotel, it helps to start by deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: wetlands, art and history, cycling, or local produce. Then tailor your search to the destinations and activities you actually plan to visit. For specific visits and connections, check the relevant timetables, dates and current arrangements.

Discover more destinations: Asnières, Bernay, Berville-Sur-Mer, Beuzeville, Fort-Moville, Foulbec, Gouville, Le Noyer-En-Ouche, Lieurey, Manneville-La-Raoult, Mesnil Le, Montaure, Piencourt, Saint-Mards-De-Fresne, Saint-Pierre-Du-Val, St-Pierre-Du-Mesnil, Tourville-La-Campagne, Toutainville, Trouville-La-Haule, Vernon, Condé-Sur-Risle, La Lande-Saint-Léger, Saint-Pierre-La-Garenne, Barneville, Vieux-Villez, Pont-De-Lʼarche, Pont-Audemer, Lyons-La-Forêt, Louviers, Le Vaudreuil, Les Andelys, Évreux, Douains, Branville, Bourg-Achard, Val De Reuil, Villerest, Vieux-Port, Boulleville, Brionne, Le Bec-Hellouin, Le Neubourg, Croisy-Sur-Eure, Cormeilles, Nassandres, Fiquefleur-Equainville, Saint-Pierre-Du-Vauvray, Triqueville, Chavigny-Bailleul, Notre-Dame-De-L'isle, Bazincourt-Sur-Epte, Folleville, Beaumesnil, Connelles, Saint-Marcel, Beaumont-Le-Roger, Conches-En-Ouche, Montreuil-L'argillé, Verneuil-Sur-Avre, Saint-Pierre-De-Bailleul, Quillebeuf-Sur-Seine, Breuilpont, La Barre-En-Ouche, Appeville-Annebault, Fourmetot, Cahaignes, Pacy-Sur-Eure, Surville, Touffreville, Saint-Etienne-Sous-Bailleul, Epaignes, Gasny, Radepont, Émalleville, Giverny, La Saussaye, Le Manoir, Caumont, Sainte-Geneviève-Lès-Gasny, Bouquetot, Écaquelon, Vesly, Damville, Bus-Saint-Rémy, Tourny, Saint-Éloi-De-Fourques, Campigny, Vascœuil, Bézu-Saint-Éloi, Pont-Saint-Pierre, Bouquelon, Saussay-La-Campagne, Fontaine-Sous-Jouy, Sainte-Opportune-La-Mare, La Haye-Malherbe, Corneville-Sur-Risle, Breteuil, Gisors, Saint-Pierre-De-Cormeilles, Saint-Grégoire-Du-Vièvre, Saint-Aubin-Le-Vertueux, Gisay-La-Coudre, Saint-Denis-Le-Ferment, Chambray, Serquigny, Piseux, Corneuil, Bretagnolles, Saint-Luc, Jumelles, Gauciel, La Neuville-Du-Bosc, Theillement, Sacquenville, Ménilles, La Croix-Saint-Leufroy, Broglie, Champignolles, Pullay, Saint-Aubin-Le-Guichard, Bosnormand, Fleury Sur Andelle, Boissey-Le-Châtel, Breux Sur Avre, Chaise-Dieu-Du-Theil, Les Préaux, Hauville, Sainte-Colombe-La-Commanderie, Champigny-la-Futelaye, Fleury-La-Forêt, Pressagny-L'orgueilleux, Villettes, Harcourt, La Haye-Du-Theil, Saint-Martin-Saint-Firmin, Acquigny, Écos, La Forêt-Du-Parc, Port-Mort, Andé, Amfreville-La-Campagne, Saint-Benoît-Des-Ombres, Launay, La Vieille-Lyre, Bois-Jérôme-Saint-Ouen, Marais-Vernier, Les Baux-De-Breteuil, Ajou, Acon, Saint-Samson-De-La-Roque, Saint-Léger-De-Rôtes, Calleville, Bourneville, Saint-Georges-du-Vièvre, Tostes, Routot, Normanville, Aubevoye, Cailly-sur-Eure, Miserey, Bourth, Bois-Normand-près-Lyre, Gaillon, Rosay-sur-Lieure, Autheuil-Authouillet, Saint-Agnan-de-Cernières, Saint-Ouen-de-Thouberville, La Goulafrière, Villiers-en-Désœuvre, Jouy-sur-Eure, Saint-Aquilin-de-Pacy, Saint-Sulpice-de-Grimbouville, La Croisille, Douville-sur-Andelle, La Guéroulde, Morainville-Jouveaux, La Trinité-de-Réville, Vironvay, Dampsmesnil, Fresne-Cauverville, Bosgouet, Chéronvilliers, Saint-Philbert-sur-Risle, Amfreville-sur-Iton, Bourgtheroulde-Infreville, Perruel, Château-sur-Epte, Amécourt, Sainte-Colombe-près-Vernon, Hardencourt-Cocherel, Cierrey, Les Damps, Poses, Letteguives, La Poterie-Mathieu, Le Landin, Pîtres, Flancourt-Catelon, Mouettes, Bosguérard-de-Marcouville, Le Thuit, Guichainville, Verneusses, Landepéreuse, Sainte-Opportune-du-Bosc, Le Fidelaire, Fourges

For the wider travel overview: Normandy.