An 80-metre difference in elevation shapes Rosay-sur-Lieure: parts of the village lie on the banks of the Lieure near the church, while others are on the higher plateau at the edge of the Forêt domaniale de Lyons. The adjoining forest is France’s largest beech forest and one of the largest in Europe. The riverbanks, plateau and beech forest give the village different landscape settings.
From the village landscape to the valleys
A hiking trail also passes through Rosay-sur-Lieure: the 11-kilometre Boucle de la Jacassière starts at the church in Touffreville and runs through the village. Viewpoints along the route offer views over the valleys of the Lieure, Fouillebroc and Andelle. The route therefore has a different focus from the village’s own landscape: it takes in several valleys, while the village itself can be described by the contrast between the riverbanks and the higher plateau.
The distance and the valleys mentioned help you see the hike as a distinct activity. Those especially interested in architectural history will find several different landmarks in the village; those who want to focus on the landscape can consider the Boucle de la Jacassière as a specific hiking option.
Church, château and calvaire
The bell tower and nave of the Église Notre-Dame de Rosay date from the 12th century and are Romanesque in style. After being partly destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War, the nave was restored and a new portal was added on the west side. Its history thus combines Romanesque architecture with a later restoration and extension.
The Château de Rosay belongs to a different era: built between 1611 and 1619 in the style of Louis XIII, it has been listed as a historic monument since 31 January 1938. The church and château thus provide two distinct historical points of reference in the village: Romanesque architecture from the 12th century and a château dating from the early 17th century.
The Calvaire du Vaumichon makes an impression through its dimensions and materials. An eight-metre-high rusticated stele supports a 1.8-metre-tall Christ figure made of natural terracotta, set on an oak cross. The calvaire also includes a semicircular altar with a tabletop made from an old millstone. The stele, figure, cross and millstone bring together different materials in a single monument.
Mills and their layers of history
The Moulin de Rosay can be understood through three different dates: its first known mention dates from 1244; an earlier mill on the site was built in 1821; and the Moulin de Rosay itself was constructed there in 1860. These dates therefore refer to different events, tracing a path from the historical mention, through the predecessor building, to the later mill building.
The Moulin de Rosay is no longer in operation, but its overshot waterwheel remains. At the former Moulin de la Bretèque in Rosay-sur-Lieure, the original masonry of the west gable and the trace of its waterwheel have survived. The two mills thus tell different stories: at the Moulin de Rosay, the chronology and surviving waterwheel take centre stage; at the Moulin de la Bretèque, it is the visible structural traces of a former mill site.
There is a clear choice when planning a stay: architectural history or landscape. The church, château, calvaire and mills represent different forms of cultural heritage; the Boucle de la Jacassière combines a hike with views over three valleys. These two focuses can be distinguished by their specific sites and features.
Discover more destinations: Bouquelon, Saint-Luc, Le Neubourg, Miserey, Gaillon, St-Pierre-Du-Mesnil, Marais-Vernier, Pont-De-Lʼarche.
For an overview of the wider region: Eure.
