Eu and Le Tréport are twin cities on the Bresle Valley in the very North of Normandie. So close and yet so different these two cities are one interesting patrimonial pair.
On one side there is Eu : an aristocratic city filled with merchants and known for its flowered streets and fortified by an architectural legacy owed to King Louis-Phillipe’s preferences since it was the city where he hosted Queen Victoria twice. On the other side Le Tréport is the seaside town, legacy of the Belle-Epoque and scattered by multicolour villas and brought to life by the fishing harbour.
However and in spite of their differences, both cities have to offer wonderful walks where the most curious of you can search for the most surprising ceramic plaques or simply enjoy the sweet perfume of the roses in Eu Castle.
Le Tréport
- The cliffs : the city was built against the highest limestone cliffs in Europe and 365 steps have to be climbed in order to reach their summit which is 110 meters high.
- The funicular : unique in Europe it has been built during World War II. After a while being inactive it is back in service and enables once again to connect the bottom of the seaside town with the “terraces”. It is very handy in order to park your car in front of the “terraces” which is strongly advised. Moreover the view on Le Tréport is stunning form up there.
- Le Tréports’s deck : Very known and lively all year and much appreciated by the seafood amateurs since there is plenty of restaurants with a very large choice. Do not hesitate to ask us for advice to ease your task since Philippe grew up in the twin cities and knows the good spots…
La ville d’Eu
Eu is located right next to a vast and beautiful forest which has been the scene of many legends and possesses the most important building patrimony in Normandie after Rouen. There you can have a look at :
- The Castle of Eu which hosts the Louis-Philippe museum. There you can discover how was the life of its famous occupants from Catherine de Clèves and the Duke Henri de Guises to Queen Victoria, Louis-Philippe and the Grande Mademoiselle. Do not miss its site for education to patrimony.
- The Collegiate Church Notre-Dame and Saint-Laurent O’Toole : masterpiece of the rib art of the 13 th century which arose Viollet-le-Duc’s admiration.
- The Tradition Verrières museum : to discover the history of glass and the perfume bottles making which made the fame of the Bresle valley.
- The Forest of Eu : the forest which once was the Royal Forest of Eu spreads across 9,315 acres between the Bresle valley and the Yères valley. Its groves can reveals mysterious treasures like the “bise” stone which smokes before it rains.
- The Saint-Laurent Chapel : built on hights from which you can have a wonderful sight on the twin cities.
We also strongly advise you to go a little farer to Picardie to have a getaway in Mers-les-Bains which is located right in front of Le Tréport. Mers-les-Bains is a seaside town built in the 1900’s where there is a very nice seafront which has been recognised as an area to preserve, with colourful villas from the Belle-Epoque which have been beautifully renovated and strike by their unique architecture : finely crafted balconies, bow-windows, loggias, ceramics, mosaics, ironwork,awnings, bays, pediments…
All together these elements form a majestic ensemble where the colours reveal the fullness of their beauty at dusk. You can also climb up the cliff where you can enjoy a spectacular panorama of Le Tréport and its cliffs.
The beach and its nautical activities are another good reason to come to Mers-les-Bains.