Aptly named by Victor Hugo as ‘the most beautiful ruin in France’
The original abbey went up from 654 by order of Philibert, to become a major Normandy saint. The medieval abbey’s ruins are impressive, the church towers soaring to 50 metres. The place was one of France’s most important Benedictine centres. On a tour today, discover how the vast ensemble looked before its destruction in the 18th century, thanks to the app Jumièges 3D and augmented reality. Take in the colours, the cloisters, the stained-glass windows… as if they hadn’t been destroyed. The 15 hectares of grounds allow you to wander around enjoying the abbey from different angles. End your tour at the Logis Abbatial, these abbots’ lodgings presenting exhibitions on the visual arts, along with land art installations.
Custom route
Custom route
10 La Bouille / Jumièges
The Seine à Vélo cycle route leaves a spot so special to the Impressionists to follow the Route des Fruits, or Fruit Route. As well as admiring apple, pear, plum and cherry orchards, bearing fruit in different months, make the most of a trip into the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Boucles de la Seine Normande to visit local producers. Foodies might plan a special stop in the riverside town of Duclair, to taste its traditional speciality, pressed duck. If keen on history, visit the Château du Taillis, its museum dedicated to the war in Normandy in August 1944. End this stage in style, taking your bike on the ferry over to Yville-sur-Seine to reach the village of Jumièges, dominated by one of Normandy’s most remarkable medieval Benedictine abbeys. Victor Hugo described it as ‘France’s most beautiful ruin’. In this contemplative spot, enjoy a reflective pause before embarking on the last stages of the route, either heading to Le Havre along the north bank of the Seine Estuary, or to Honfleur and Deauville along the south bank.
11 Jumièges / Lillebonne
With this stage, leave behind Jumièges and ‘the most beautiful ruin in France’, as Victor Hugo described its abbey, to continue west along the Seine à Vélo via a former rail line, now a greenway, connecting Caudebec-en-Caux to Barentin. Arriving at Caudebec-en-Caux, make the most of the calm of the Seine’s banks, following in the footsteps of Victor Hugo. Reaching Villequier, where the Hugo and Vacquerie families holidayed, this charming village makes a perfect place to pause and find out more about the great author’s writings. This stage’s last stretch leads to Lillebonne. This town has an older, Roman name, Juliabona, hence the remnants of a Roman theatre, plus a museum covering the history of the Gallo-Roman settlement here.
13 Jumièges / Marais-Vernier
This Seine à Vélo stage takes you meandering through the typical Norman scenery of the Brotonne Forest and Vernier Marsh. First, cross the Seine by ferry at Jumièges. Then the route leads you along the river’s south bank, offering the finest views over the Seine. Arriving at Aizier, La Route des Chaumières (or Thatched Cottages Route) takes you to the edge of the Marais-Vernier, a precious natural site, its unique ecosystem extending across 4,500 hectares. You cross undulating landscapes providing a mix of natural riches, traditional Norman architecture and some startling encounters, in the form of storks and Camargue white horses. Along the way, make time to stop at the Maison du Parc Naturel des Boucles de la Seine Normande, a visitor centre that explains all about these parts and the flora and fauna here.