Explore Bouquelon on foot to take in its landscape and architectural history along the local trails. The Chemin des Courtils leads through narrow plots into the marshland and offers views; a medieval stone house and a 17th-century half-timbered manor house are also visible from the trail. With its plain, woodland and bocage, the Chemin de la plaine du Château offers a different landscape.
Hiking between the Courtils and the Marais Vernier
Marked in yellow, the Chemin des Courtils starts at the church in Bouquelon. The route is 10.2 kilometres long, has 114 metres of elevation gain and is 36 percent unpaved. Its length, elevation gain and proportion of unpaved paths give you concrete information to help plan your day.
The trail passes through the long, narrow Courtils plots, which stretch from the road to the heart of the marshland. Ponds, ditches, thatched cottages and pollarded willows line the route. Numerous viewpoints offer views across the marshland. The buildings along the trail also provide points of interest: a medieval stone house and a 17th-century half-timbered manor house are visible from here.
The Chemin de la plaine du Château passes through a plain, woodland and bocage. Some sections are lined with hornbeams that have been pollarded. From the picnic tables beside the town hall, the trail offers a viewpoint over the Marais Vernier. The trails therefore appeal to different interests: the Chemin des Courtils offers specific route details to help with planning, while the changing landscape and views over the Marais Vernier are the main features of the Chemin de la plaine du Château.
Nature Reserve and Visits
The RĂ©serve Naturelle Volontaire des Courtils de Bouquelon is open to visitors without charge. Guided visits are also available by reservation for adult groups of twelve or more. The visitor address is 1070 Chemin des Courtils, 27500 Bouquelon. Check local visitor regulations before setting out; if you would like a guided visit, book well in advance.
Church and Domaine du château du Plessis
The Église Saint Ouen can be explored through its features from different centuries. The nave dates from the late 11th century and has a simple portal and two rows of voussoirs. The choir and tower date from the 12th century. A piscina with a double arcade completes the building, which dates from the late 13th century. The church’s different dates make it a specific point of interest for anyone interested in the architectural history of the area.
The Domaine du château du Plessis is also protected under French heritage law: it has been partially listed as a historic monument since 28 July 2005, and partially classified as a historic monument since 31 January 2011. Listing and classification are distinct forms of protection, each with its own date.
Ferme des Colombos
The Ferme des Colombos produces goat’s cheese, as well as various desserts and dairy products. The cheeses listed include Crottin, Bûche cendrée, Cabecou, Tome and Tomette. Dessert creams, custards, chocolate, vanilla and coffee creams, and rice pudding are also mentioned. The selection may change over time; if you are looking for specific products, ask in advance which ones are currently available.
The Ferme des Colombos offers farm visits by appointment. Book in advance and confirm availability before setting out. This will help you plan your visit according to the arrangements actually agreed.
Discover more destinations: Trouville-La-Haule, Marais-Vernier, Corneville-Sur-Risle, Jouy-sur-Eure, Douville-sur-Andelle, La Haye-Malherbe, Saint-Benoît-Des-Ombres, Beaumont-Le-Roger
For the regional travel overview: Eure.
