The best traffic-free bike rides around Boutencourt

With its origins in the Middle Ages, Reilly is a charming village in a green valley which offers a setting of old buildings including a church dating back to the 11th century, an abbey and a more recent castle.

In the 11th century, a chapel was built by the prior of Bézu-le-Long, dependent on the abbey of Croix Saint-Leufroy, consisting of a nave of 5 bays lit by narrow lancets. A stone choir was added in the 12th century. Around 1335, the chapel became a parish church. Around 1780, it was enlarged by two bays and its direction was reversed. The entrance is now through the choir, itself installed in the western part. Large bays were opened at this time. The new choir is adorned with an altarpiece executed in 1760 by Jacques Carbonnier (from Gisors). The painting of the baptism of Christ is by Charles Jean Baptiste Duchêne, painter in Gisors

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.

Boury Castle is a 17th century castle built by the architect of Versailles, Jules Hardouin-Mansart. You can admire the elegant architecture and French gardens, as well as the furnished interiors, chapel and kitchen. The castle offers guided tours and activities for children, as well as a large park and playground. You can also enjoy the neighboring village of Boury-en-Vexin, once occupied by Richard the Lionheart. The Château de Boury is open on Sundays and public holidays from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the opening period.

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

The Château de Gisors is a castle located in the Eure department. The castle was a key fortress of the Dukes of Normandy in the 11th and 12th centuries. Its purpose was to defend the Anglo-Norman territory of the Vexin from the claims of the King of France.