A circular trail through five natural habitats, a menhir at the entrance to the village, and a weir with a hydroelectric power station and locks give Port-Mort a variety of attractions to explore. The Sentier Plantes Sauvages is about ten kilometres long and forms a circular route through five different natural habitats. There is also a continuous route to Les Andelys, as well as the Gravier de Gargantua menhir and the Port-Mort weir.
The Sentier Plantes Sauvages
The five stops on the Sentier Plantes Sauvages each correspond to a natural habitat. An overview panel stands at the entrance to each stop; movable panels about individual plants are put up from April to October. The habitats therefore structure the circular route, while the plant panels highlight individual species during this period. The trail is marked in blue and partly follows the same route as the Seine à Vélo. The two routes do not share the entire trail. Before setting out, check the association’s latest information and the trail conditions.
A loop or a connection
Another route option is the continuous greenway between Port-Mort and Les Andelys. It is 14.6 kilometres long. While the Sentier Plantes Sauvages is a circular route, the greenway connects two named places. When choosing, therefore, consider both the distance and the route type: a loop in Port-Mort or a connection between two places.
Menhir and GR®2
The menhir known as Gravier de Gargantua is on the D313 at the entrance to Port-Mort. When arriving from the direction of Gaillon or Les Andelys, it is on the left-hand side. It was classified as a historic monument by decree on 10 January 1923. This date refers to its classification. Check local road conditions before your visit.
The GR®2 hiking route passes the Port-Mort weir and includes a short detour to the Gravier de Gargantua. If you choose this route, check the current route and trail conditions before setting out.
The Port-Mort weir
The Port-Mort weir, also called the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garenne lock, is a complex comprising a weir, a hydroelectric power station and locks. The metal structures were built by the Eiffel company. The alternative name highlights the locks, but the complex also includes the weir and hydroelectric power station. This sets the engineering structure apart from the Gravier de Gargantua: the weir is notable for its components and Eiffel structures, while the menhir is notable for its classification as a historic monument.
Choose your route based on what you want to see
When choosing between the trails, consider what kind of route you are looking for: the Sentier Plantes Sauvages is a circular walk with nature interpretation stops; the greenway connects Port-Mort and Les Andelys; the GR®2 hiking route passes the weir and includes the menhir via a short detour. If you would like to include culture and engineering, this hike brings both together in one route.
Discover more destinations: Vernon, Sainte-Opportune-du-Bosc, Guichainville, Gouville, Quillebeuf-Sur-Seine, Theillement, Évreux, Notre-Dame-De-L'isle
For the overview of the wider region: Eure.
