Église Saint-Martin in Le Manoir was built between 1951 and 1952 to replace a church dating from 1519 that had been completely destroyed by bombing. It offers a tangible introduction to the history of the town. Nearby, other attractions add to the picture: water and activities at Parc de Léry-Poses, a hiking trail along the Seine and the Musée de la batellerie. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between destinations in the town and those in the surrounding area.
Église Saint-Martin: Postwar Architecture and Craftsmanship
The present-day church was built by Pierre Dupont. Its exposed-concrete west façade features a claustra-style stained-glass window. Together, the materials and window give the façade a distinctive architectural profile. The church also bears the “patrimoine du XXème siècle” label.
Other artists also contributed to the building: Pierre Colombo as a sculptor and Jean Barillet as a glass artist. Paul Bony was a glass artist, painter and ceramicist. Their different roles bring sculpture, glasswork, painting and ceramics together with the history of the church’s construction. Architecture enthusiasts will therefore find not only a new building constructed after its predecessor was destroyed, but also several contributors known by name.
Voie Verte and Hiking Trail: Different Route Experiences
The Voie Verte is a 30 km cycling and walking route. Its course includes 21 km along the Eure and a further 5 km towards Poses. In addition, an 8.4 km section in the area around Le Manoir passes by Parc de Léry-Poses. These figures describe different sections of the route and offer a useful guide when planning to include cycling or walking trails in your itinerary. Check the surfaces and access conditions on site.
A hiking trail in the surrounding area crosses part of the Côte des Deux-Amants. It runs through woods along the Seine and ends at Château des Deux-Amants, where there is a panoramic view. This description sets the trail apart from the Voie Verte: the focus here is on the route through the woods and alongside the river, as well as the viewpoint at the end. Check local trail conditions before planning your hike.
Lakes, Beaches and Water Sports at Parc de Léry-Poses
Parc de Léry-Poses, in the area around Le Manoir, has three lakes and two sandy beaches. Two of the beaches are supervised in summer. At Lac des Deux Amants, you can swim and rent stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, windsurf boards and catamarans. The park thus offers a range of ways to enjoy the water, from swimming to activities using rented equipment.
Rentals are seasonal; check availability in advance. Lifeguard supervision is also limited to the summer season.
A Glimpse into Inland Waterway Shipping
The Musée de la batellerie in the surrounding area features an engine room, accommodation for engineers and sailors, the cabins of the captain and first mate, and a wheelhouse. The different rooms give the museum visit a clear focus on working and living spaces aboard a vessel. Since opening arrangements may change, it is advisable to check them before visiting.
When planning your stay, you can first decide whether to focus more on the church in Le Manoir or on destinations in the surrounding area. The Voie Verte, a hike, a visit to the lake and a museum visit each have their own conditions: check local trails and access, as well as seasonal services and opening arrangements.
Discover more destinations: Fiquefleur-Equainville, Launay, Évreux, Pont-Saint-Pierre, Vieux-Port, Jumelles, Verneusses, Ménilles.
For the regional travel overview: Eure.
