Miserey combines a precisely dated event in aviation history with a 15th-century church and a rose garden. The village is marked by the landing of the Double Eagle II balloon on 17 August 1978; at the same time, the Circuit des villages en fleurs leads to Miserey and on to the Château de Miserey. This makes it possible to explore ballooning history, historic architecture and a cycling route as different ways of discovering the village.
The Double Eagle II landing
The Double Eagle II landed in Miserey on 17 August 1978, after Maxie Anderson, Ben Abruzzo and Larry Newman had made the first balloon crossing of the North Atlantic. The distance was 5,001 kilometres, and the flight lasted 137 hours and 6 minutes. The kilometre figure indicates the distance travelled, while the hours indicate the duration of the undertaking; both measurements complement the specific date and landing site.
In Miserey, the Plaque des Aérostiers commemorates the Double Eagle II’s Atlantic crossing. This brings the local memorial site into focus alongside the event itself: the landing connects international aviation history with Miserey, and the plaque keeps its memory present in the village. Those interested in the history of balloon flight will find a specific date, three named aeronauts and a clearly identified destination.
Church, rose garden and park
The Église Saint-Martin in Miserey dates from the 15th century. It offers a different point of reference in time from the balloon landing: here, the focus is on a historic building, while the Double Eagle II marks an event in more recent history. Together, the two subjects show that Miserey can be explored through both a defining event and an older building.
The Jardin et roseraie du château is highlighted as a sight in Miserey on the Circuit des villages en fleurs. The rose garden at the Jardins et Roseraie du Château de Miserey was established in 1996. It contains a significant collection of thornless roses and is part of the Itinéraire des Roseraies normandes. This connects a specific garden history with a wider thematic context, while keeping the garden’s own character in view.
The park at the Jardins et Roseraie du Château de Miserey is another distinct aspect of a visit: it is a classified site and includes a church and its cemetery. Before visiting, check whether the park is accessible and the garden’s current opening status.
Exploring the Circuit des villages en fleurs
The Circuit des villages en fleurs runs from Boncourt to Miserey and on to the Château de Miserey. The route is 16 kilometres long, moderately difficult and marked in yellow; it takes about two hours. The Circuit also highlights the Jardin et roseraie du château as a sight in Miserey. The cycling route and garden thus share a place in the area’s tourist offerings, while the balloon landing and the Église Saint-Martin are other cultural highlights of the village.
The distance, moderate difficulty and approximate duration help you think of the cycle ride as a standalone time commitment and distinguish it from a visit focused on the memorial plaque, church or garden. The two-hour duration is an estimate. Check the route markings locally before setting off so you can plan according to the current route.
Discover more destinations: La Neuville-Du-Bosc, Sacquenville, Pullay, Gisay-La-Coudre, Fiquefleur-Equainville, Harcourt, Saint-Agnan-de-Cernières, La Trinité-de-Réville.
Go to the regional travel overview: Eure.
