Les Andelys
©
Les Andelys

Les Andelys

Seine-loop Normandy town watched by Château Gaillard, Richard the Lionheart's cliffside fortress above chalk banks.

Les Andelys sits deep in one of the great loops of the Seine, backed by high chalk cliffs that give it a drama unusual for Normandy. The town is really two in one: Petit-Andely hugs the riverbank below the ruins of Château Gaillard, while Grand-Andely spreads inland around the church of Notre-Dame.

Château Gaillard is the main draw. Richard the Lionheart built this fortress in a single year in 1196 to block the French advance on Rouen, and its ruined walls still command a spectacular view over the Seine valley. The climb up is short but steep, and the panorama from the top is one of the finest in the region.

In town, the Collégiale Notre-Dame mixes Gothic and Renaissance styles, and the Musée Nicolas Poussin honours the painter who was born here in 1594. Les Andelys also makes a good base for riverboat trips along the Seine, with several operators running scenic cruises through the surrounding loops and cliffs.

Guide

Getting There

Les Andelys is about 100km from Paris and 40km from Rouen. By car it is the most practical approach: take the A13 motorway from Paris toward Rouen, exit at Gaillon, and follow the D316 along the Seine. The drive from Paris takes about 1h20 in light traffic.

By public transport, the nearest SNCF station is Vernon (on the Paris–Rouen line), from where you will need a taxi or bike. Some travellers arrive by river: the Seine is navigable for private boats and canal barges, and there is a small quay at Petit-Andely.

Guide

Things to Do

Les Andelys is centred on two main sights: the ruined Château Gaillard above the town, and the collegiate church of Notre-Dame in Grand-Andely. Beyond those, the riverside setting and the walks along the Seine cliffs are the main pleasures.