Discover Clères through its many facets: the Clérette river runs through the town, its architectural history spans everything from medieval traces to Neo-Gothic buildings, and Parc de Clères is known for its ornithological and botanical collections. A circular cycling route also starts in Clères. These varied attractions offer practical pointers for planning your trip.
Market, Covered Market Hall and Architectural History
A charter issued in 1195 by Richard the Lionheart, Duke of Normandy and King of England, granted Matthieu II, Lord of Clères, the right to hold a market in the covered market hall on Tuesdays. Today, a market is held there on Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm. Check the current schedule before your trip. The covered market hall is also regularly used for events, including a spring daffodil festival, medieval festivals held every two years, and regular Sunday morning gatherings of vintage car and motorcycle enthusiasts. Dates and formats may vary, so check which events are taking place during your travel dates.
The oldest house in Clères is a half-timbered building dating from the 15th century. The town’s earlier religious history includes a former church from the 16th century, with traces dating back to the 11th century. The present-day church was built in the Neo-Gothic style in 1893–1894. These buildings represent different periods and offer an interesting comparison with the history of Château de Clères: the mound includes ruins associated with the first château, dating from the 10th to 11th centuries. The château was rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 16th century and later redesigned in the Neo-Gothic style.
Chapelle Notre-Dame des Buis, also known as Chapelle du Tôt, dates from the late 15th or early 16th century. It is a pilgrimage site for people with rheumatic conditions and for children who are late to walk. After restoration was completed, the chapel was to welcome pilgrims and art lovers; exhibitions were planned. Check the current opening arrangements before visiting.
Park, River and Cycling Tour
Parc animalier et botanique de Clères was founded in 1919 by the French-American ornithologist Jean Delacour. Its ornithological collections include various species of cranes, flamingos, ibises, turacos and pheasants; the animal collection may change. The botanical collection includes more than 2,500 rare plant species, and this collection may also change over time. In 2023, the park received the “Jardin remarquable” label. Exhibitions, activities and performances about biodiversity and its preservation are held each year; individual dates vary.
The Clérette is a small river that runs through Clères. On its banks is the Marchepied, a path where you can stop for a break. In the past, residents drew water from the river there. If you’re looking for a longer activity with a specified distance rather than a riverside walk, try the moderately difficult “Autour de la Clérette” circular cycling route. It is 20 kilometres long, starts in Clères and passes through Mont-Cauvaire, Montville, Anceaumeville and Le Bocasse. Check the route details before setting off.
Plan Your Journey
Clères’ former railway station was replaced by a new stop in 2011. The new building has bicycle parking and a pedestrian footbridge over the tracks. If you’re travelling by train, check the latest services. This lets you plan your journey separately from your choice of activities, and consider the cycling route, market or events based on their respective details.
Discover more destinations: Torcy-Le-Grand, Préaux, Le Thil-Riberpré, La Bouille, Arques-La-Bataille, Calleville-les-Deux-Églises, Riville, Sainte-Marguerite-Sur-Mer
For the broader travel overview: Seine-Maritime.
