Préaux offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: walking routes of varying lengths, the history of the Église Notre-Dame and publicly accessible community gardens. The routes can first be distinguished by their length and course; architectural details and local themes can also give your stay a distinctive focus.
Choose walking routes by distance and course
Two walking routes start at the parking area du Pratelli on Rue du Stade: “Le petit Verger” is 8.9 kilometres long and runs along sections of the busy D53, the Route de Gournay; “Préaux – la visite” is 13.7 kilometres long. Since both start at the same parking area, you can compare their distances directly. The 10.5-kilometre “Par le chemin d’Ecorchevache” route follows the Route de Bellevue and turns onto the Chemin d’Ecorchevache in the Forêt de la Muette before the SNCF bridge. It returns to Préaux via Rue du Vieux Château. Check road and trail conditions before setting out.
A route brochure produced on 17 May 2024 also describes “Le Trou de Rouen” as a 7.4-kilometre circular route starting in Préaux. It passes through the town centre and across open plains. The routes described here therefore range from 7.4 to 13.7 kilometres, so you can choose according to the distance you want to cover. The privately used Château de la Bellevue, originally a hunting lodge, can also be seen along “Le Trou de Rouen”. The route also identifies the former Maison du baillage as another architectural landmark; it is a private building.
Architectural traces from different centuries
The Château du Bout de la ville dates from the late 18th century. The date 1784 is inscribed on the cornice of its central gable. The Château de Sainte-Croix belongs to a later period: it dates from the first half of the 19th century, was built mainly of brick and has slate cladding. The two châteaux thus highlight different building periods and materials.
The Église Notre-Dame de Préaux also tells a layered story of construction. It was rebuilt in 1776 using materials from the former collegiate church of Beaulieu, which had been closed around 1772. Its distinctive west end features a substantial square bell tower and a large, rectangular nave with a single aisle.
The church’s choir stalls date from the first quarter of the 16th century. Their origin is given as the Priory of Beaulieu in Bois-l’Evêque. The choir stalls are classified as a movable cultural object; the listing dates from 20 October 1913. This date refers to their protected status, while their creation dates back around four centuries earlier.
Community gardens and cider
According to the association rules published on the municipal website, the shared gardens of “Jardins en fête”, which are collectively created or maintained, are open to the public. The association rules also provide that a member present will welcome visitors, show them around the community gardens or answer their questions.
A route brochure produced in May 2024 also described the Cidrerie Le Sonneur du Val in Préaux and invited visitors to taste its farmhouse cider: the cider is traditionally made from pure juice pressed from cider apples. If you plan to make the tasting a fixed part of your itinerary, check availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Bolbec, Cuverville-Sur-Yères, Fontenay, Saint-Romain-De-Colbosc, La Feuillie, Veauville-Lès-Quelles, Saint-Martin-Du-Vivier, Isneauville.
For the broader travel guide: Seine-Maritime.
