Sunday morning we lazed around the apartment until the Manager held his little "You are not really in the middle of nowhere" speech, telling us all about the places all around us that we could visit this week while staying at this resort. His name is Mark and watching him set up for his presentation was pretty funny. He had a power point presentation plus an easel that he had just a liittle difficulty getting set up. It was a tad crooked when he finished. Everything was within a few minutes to 3 hours away, with somewhat hazy directions that included bridges crossing the Seine and roundabouts by the dozen.
After the one hour presentation and all present had glazed eyes, we set out for our first destination, only a thirty to forty minute drive.
Where we are staying
The view from our balcony
On our way to Lyons-la-Foret
As we passed through several little villages all with a church, none with a restaurant or cafe that was open on Sunday; we were starving. Finally, as we passed through one Terry spied a restaurant with an open sign. Yeah, we eat. Had a nice turkey dinner with a green salad and dessert of creme brulet. Yum!
The Church of Saint Denis
"Because of its architecture which has been maintained as it was at the beginning of the 17th century, it is also a well-known landmark within the very distinct geophysical and geocultural entity that is the end of Vexin normand and the forest of Lyons around the town is the border with Pays de Bray known for its traditional bocage landscape of woods, orchards and cattle economy.
An early mention of a ducal residence in Lyons can be found in 936, when William I, Duke of Normandy used to stay here.
In 1135 Henry I of England, also known as “Henri Beauclerc”, died at the Lyons castle, at the time called Saint-Denis-en-Lyons.
The town and the castle were occupied by King Philip II Augustus of France in 1193 but the following year, Richard I of England, back from captivity, obtained the restitution of Lyons; the king of England and duke of Normandy resided frequently here until 1198. In 1202 Philip II Augustus conquered back the city, and after him several French kings sojourned here, attracted by the Lyons forest and the good hunting grounds.
The village was originally called Saint-Denis, also the village church is under the patronage of St. Denis. Lyons was once only the name of the forest".
A very old village which once boasted as many as 1600 residents in the 1800's, now has only 747 or so residents. Everyone else is a visitor.
"In the Middle Ages, many people in Northern Europe built their houses in this half-timbered way. This was because wood for building was expensive, and most people couldn't afford to build their whole house out of wood.
Instead, they built just a frame of wood, and then filled in the frame with lath and plaster".
Maurice Ravel Mansion below. He wrote music here for many years.
A lovely little village to tour on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Back at the apartment a little wine and cheese. Not very hungry after our big late lunch. Tomorrow another small town Louviers. Night all.
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