The best MTB trails around Courcelles-Lès-Gisors

For us, cycling hikers, the place is perfect. Not only is the setting absolutely superb – a building steeped in history surrounded by absolute calm – but the welcome is also warm and perfectly suited to the needs of cycle tourists. It is very appreciable to be able to leave your bikes safely in a dedicated space after a day of cycling. The comfort of the rooms, the authentic charm of the place and the quality of the breakfast allow you to leave the next day with optimal energy. The location is ideal for exploring the surrounding routes, far from the urban hustle and bustle. A favorite spot that I highly recommend to all lovers of the "petite reine" (the little queen, referring to the bicycle) looking for rest and character. An essential stop if you are passing through the Vernon or Gisors area!

don't forget to book your meal

A military fortress with a defensive purpose, built in 1097, during the reign of William the Conqueror's second son, Gisors Castle marks a major page in the medieval history of Normandy. This fortification was intended to protect the Norman possessions of the King of England against the ambitions of the King of France. A true border place and eastern lock of Normandy, it was part of a vast campaign of fortifications in the Epte Valley, the natural boundary between the two kingdoms.

We know of Saints Gervais and Protais that they were Christian martyrs in the 2nd century in Milan. At the time, the Roman Empire forced all its subjects to worship the emperor, which was unacceptable to Christians. If they refused, they were crucified or sent to the arena to be devoured by lions between gladiatorial fights. Thus, Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan, found them, in 386, buried side by side. This great bishop affirmed that they had been martyrs by fidelity to their baptism. He even added "They are of a prodigious size, such as one was in ancient times." Their cult reached Gaul where a large number of churches were dedicated to them.

The parish church of Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais was consecrated in 1119 by Pope Calixtus 11. This Romanesque church saw its nave ravaged by fire in 1123. It was rebuilt in 1160. Thanks to funding from Queen Blanche of Castile, the people of Gisors built a Gothic choir, consecrated in 1249. It was built according to the Chartres model, common at the time in Ile-de-France, with a three-level elevation: large arcades, triforium and high windows pierced with oculi. Thanks to funding from charitable brotherhoods and trade corporations, the church underwent multiple transformations from the end of the 15th century with the addition of radiating chapels and an ambulatory at choir level. Entrusted to the Grappins, a family of architects from Vexin, the work continued in the 15th century with the reconstruction of the nave and the chapels of the side aisles in flamboyant Gothic style, then of the façade decorated with Renaissance motifs.

The Moulin de Fourges is a magical place built at the end of the 18th century, with architecture inspired by Queen Marie-Antoinette's hamlet at the Palace of Versailles. At the gates of the Vexin park, this listed site offers a truly bucolic setting with its country garden on the banks of the Epte river.

Reilly Pond is surrounded by diverse wetland flora, such as angelica, waterhemp, and yellow loosestrife, which attract many insects and birds. A picnic area will allow you to relax and admire the landscape. Reilly Pond is part of a larger natural area, Reilly Marsh, which is an ancient peat bog sheltering rare plant and animal species. You can discover this space with a guide from the Hauts-de-France Conservatory of Natural Spaces who will reveal the secrets of this remarkable ecosystem. Reilly Pond is an ideal destination for nature lovers who wish to discover the beauty and diversity of the French landscapes.

Old fortified castle, built between the end of the 11th and the 12th century, today in ruins.