Caudebec-en-Caux is a small town situated in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, on a loop in the Seine River east of Le Havre and west of Rouen. Since 2016 Caudebec-en-Caux is part of the commune called Rives-en-Seine.
Explore Caudebec-en-Caux
With the focus firmly on the riverside, your visit will surely start with a stroll along the Seine river banks in Caudebec-en-Caux, admiring at the same time the gardens and houses that line the peaceful waterway.
Moving next into the historical centre of the town, one particular highlight is the 15th century gothic style church of Notre-Dame, an attractively ornate church that Henry IV reputedly said was the most beautiful church in his kingdom.
There are numerous decorative stone carvings on the exterior of the church - note especially the carvings in the entranceway and the ornate belltower - while the interior features some impressive medieval stained glass windows and a 16th century organ.
Among the other notable landmarks in Caudebec-en-Caux you will see the 12th-13th century Maison des Templiers, which is among the oldest houses in Normandy and has a facade featuring gothic style arched windows. This is a very attractive house that is thought to have at one time been a temple, which gave the house its name.
You will also see the 14th century prison which now looks like a charming stone town house but presumably was less inviting 600 years ago, and two towers - the Tour d'Harfleur and the Tour des Fascines - that were once part of the towns 14th century defenses.
More recent landmarks of historical interest include the Town Hall, built as the Chateau de Caumont at the end of the 18th century and with an interesting facade incorporating brick and carved stonework, and the Hotel du Bailli which is a manor house built around the same time as the Chateau de Caumont..
The Maison des Templiers now contains a museum of local history and a second museum, the Musée de la Marine de Seine, in Caudebec-en-Caux explains the history and importance of the Seine River in the region for both fishing and local industry.
Caudebec-en-Caux is a listed 'station verte' - a town that focusses on protecting the natural environment while providing varied facilities for visitors.
As an example you can follow the guided trail through Les Marais, a preserved natural area that also serves the important function of regulating the water level, hence preventing the town from flooding.
Attractions nearby
Boat trips along the river are popular with visitors to the town. There are also several places on the hills nearby which offer lovely views across the river, such as at La Vignette, or follow along the banks of the river itself.
The region around the town is known as the Pays de Caux Vallée de Seine and at the centre of the 'Parc Naturel Régional des Boucles de la Seine Normande'.
Just outside Caudebec-en-Caux you can visit the 14th-15th century Chateau d'Etelan to the south-west, and the Abbey de Fontanelle is also a popular local attraction a short distance east of the town. The nearby Jumieges Abbey and pretty village of Jumieges are worth a visit.
Although it is about 40 kilometres from Caudebac-en-Caux, the town of Rouen has a very impressive historic centre and a visit is recommended.
You can find more travel ideas in the Seine-Maritime guide and the Normandy guide.
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Jumieges Abbey
The extensive ruins of Jumieges Abbey are one of the most visited religious monuments in the department
Jumieges Abbey guide
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La Bouille guide
Pont-Audemer
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Pont-Audemer guide
Rouen
The cathedral and cobbled streets in the old town are just two of the many highlights in the lovely town of Rouen.
Rouen guide
Le Bec-Hellouin
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Le Bec-Hellouin guide
Fecamp
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Fecamp guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Seine-Maritime
Address: Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Normandy, 76490, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 49.527222, longitude 0.726944
Plan your visit to Caudebec-en-Caux, Seine-Maritime
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon: ville fleurie 4* (12 km)
- Abbaye de Jumièges (Jumieges): religious monument (12 km)
- Autretot: ville fleurie 4* (14 km)
- Abbaye Saint Georges de Boscherville (Saint-Martin-de-Boscherville): religious monument (19 km)
- Abbaye Saint-Georges: remarkable garden (19 km)
- Jardin d'art et d'essais: remarkable garden (21 km)
- Parc du manoir de Villers: remarkable garden (21 km)
- Parc de Galleville: remarkable garden (22 km)
- Pont-Audemer: recommended detour (25 km)
- Montville: ville fleurie 4* (25 km)
- Parc zoologique de Clères: zoo or wildlife park (29 km)
- Rouen: town of art and history (29 km)
The French version of this page is at Caudebec-en-Caux (Francais)