LA ROCHE-GUYON — 17 MILES
La-Roche-Guyon is located at a bend in the Seine River, and is officially classified as one of the ‘most beautiful villages of France’. The village was originally established below, and is dominated by, a medieval chateau built in the 12th century. The chateau can be visited, and offers great views of the village. The donjon or keep is connected to the main castle below the cliff by a tunnel that’s cut out through the rock. As an interesting side note, the Chateau served as Rommel’s headquarters during the Second World War.
As you walk the streets of the town, you will pass beautiful houses with wood paneled façades. Along the carting paths, there are a number of caves dug into the cliff — these were mining caves, but at times have been used as stables or as saltpeter cellars. In the village center, the old market is now the side of the town hall. After exploring the village you can walk along the river front or climb the paths that run up to the hills above the village for views of the countryside.
To learn more, visit francethisway.com
