Circular route around the Bellengreville marsh

Parking is available in the car park on Impasse de la Sente à l'Abbé, opposite the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady.

(S/E) Opposite the church, cross Impasse de la Sente à l'Abbé, go around the church on the left, stay on the right-hand pavement, pass in front of the town hall and continue along Rue Léonard Gille until you reach the crossroads. Cross Rue du Stade carefully, go around the calvary on the left and continue straight ahead until you reach the Route d'Argences (D 41). Cross the road with the utmost caution and take the path opposite (formerly the Grande Route) for about 300 metres until you reach the next crossroads.

(1) At the crossroads, by the stone wall of the Manoir de la Perquette (on the right), turn left towards the railway line, pass under it and continue straight ahead for about 700 m until you reach the Route d'Argences (D41). Cross the road with extreme caution and take the road opposite for about 350 m until you reach the Chicheboville road (D232).

(2) Turn right towards Chicheboville, carefully follow the road for about 500 m until you reach the second path on the left (note that the first grassy path is quite discreet) and after crossing the Petits Marais stream (also difficult to distinguish due to the numerous ditches nearby, which may also be full of water).

(3) Cross carefully and turn left onto the path and follow it for about 500 metres. After the right-hand bend, turn left at the first of three crossroads and continue straight on for about 600 metres, ignoring the side roads. Go through a barrier restricting vehicle traffic and continue to the second three-way intersection. Turn right onto the Prempain path towards Chicheboville and Béneauville until you reach Rue Éole (D 232).

(4) Cross carefully and turn left onto Rue Éole (D 232) towards Béneauville. Follow the road for about 400 m, ignoring Chemin de Cincebold, leave the town of Chicheboville and reach the Château de Béneauville. Opposite the château, turn right onto Chemin de l'Avenue and continue to the three-way junction. Turn left and follow the road for about 300 metres until you reach Rue Éole (D 232).

(5) Continue straight ahead along this street for about 50 metres, then, at the entrance to the town of Béneauville, between the bus stop and the first houses, turn right onto the path leading to the Notre-Dame de Béneauville Chapel until you reach the Route d'Argences (D 80). Cross the Route d'Argences very carefully, turn left and head towards the calvary. Just before the calvary and the intersection, cross the Route d'Argences again very carefully to take the pavement on the left and pass to the left of the calvary. Turn left onto Rue Éole (D 232) and turn right about a hundred metres further on to take the Venelle de Béneauville. Follow the alley and, in a circular movement, continue to the right at the fork, cross the Ruisseau du Cours Sémillon and reach a path on the left at the corner of 23 Venelle.

(6) Turn left onto the path that heads north towards La Madeleine and Vimont. Continue north for about 800 metres until you reach a fork as you approach the railway line.

(7) Turn left onto Chemin Vert, which runs roughly parallel to the railway line, and follow it until you reach the Cours Sémillon stream and a crossroads near a tunnel on the right that passes under the railway line. Turn right at the crossroads and pass under the railway line.

(8) At the tunnel exit, ignore the path on the right, turn left along the stream and its twists and turns, pass in front of the "La Vie Belle" fishing company's shed, then continue along the path until you reach Rue du Lavoir. Turn right onto Rue Félix Bouffay and continue to the next intersection.

(9) Cross Rue Félix Bouffay with caution and take Rue des Marronniers on the left. Follow Rue des Marronniers until you reach a four-way intersection. Just before the intersection, cross Rue des Marronniers, take the pavement on the left, go to the crossroads, turn left and follow Rue Léonard Gille on the pavement on the left for a few dozen metres (there is no pavement on the other side of the street). Cross Rue Léonard Gille and follow it on the right-hand pavement. Continue to Impasse de la Sente à l'Abbé and join the parking area opposite the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady (S/E).

The alkaline marsh of Chicheboville-Bellengreville
This marsh has a unique biodiversity of fauna and flora. Its 100 hectares have been classified as a Natura 2000 site since 1999 and are managed by the Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels de Normandie. This wetland is home to peat bogs, poplar groves, hunting gabions, fishing trails and hiking routes. You will see yellow irises, comfrey and valerian. You may also encounter cuckoos, greenfinches and storks.

The Chapel of Notre-Dame de Béneauville
Formerly part of Troarn Abbey, this chapel is a very coherent^12th-13th century building with a choir featuring many typical Romanesque elements, such as original modillions, buttresses and arcades. It has undergone extensive interior and exterior renovation. The restoration of the mural paintings on the litter and antependium makes it particularly interesting.

The Château de Béneauville
The château dates from the early^17th century.
It is private property, so please do not disturb the occupants.