Between Mentheville and Annouville-Vilmesnil, a former tributary of the Ganzeville carved a small valley into the chalk plateau, exposing the so-called Pétreval stone. This landscape feature also draws attention to a type of stone that played an important role in the area’s architectural history.
Pétreval Stone and Landscape
The “La Pierre de Pétreval” circular route runs between Mentheville and Annouville-Vilmesnil. It offers a dedicated route option if you would like to explore this local connection. Check the route details before setting off.
Pétreval stone is a very hard, relatively grey limestone. It was used for many buildings, including stone church towers that are characteristic of the area. The Pétreval theme thus brings together a specific landscape feature and a locally used building material. Anyone interested in the connection between geology and architecture will find more here than just a route name: the material itself is also part of the local architectural history.
Church and Manor House
The Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in Mentheville was built in the 16th century and renovated in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its bell tower has a square floor plan and is crowned by an orthogonal spire. The construction date and later renovations provide a timeline, while the floor plan and spire describe the building’s distinctive architectural features.
Mentheville Manor House is also part of the local architectural history: part of the manor house has been listed as a historic monument since 2 March 1981. The qualification “part” is important; the entire manor house is not listed as a matter of course.
Cycling Tours and Rides with the Jumenterie
The Jumenterie des Néfliers offers full-day culinary horseback rides with picnics made from regional products. There are also themed carriage rides to châteaux and manor houses, through the Ganzeville Valley, and focusing on agriculture. Each of these rides includes a snack break. Check booking requirements and availability before your trip.
For a longer outing, the Jumenterie itinerante offers horse-drawn wagon trips lasting two to six days. Each morning, it accompanies participants as they lead the horse. These trips therefore differ from the full-day horseback rides and themed carriage rides in both duration and format. The wagon trip should be arranged in advance.
The Boucle vélo Est is a cycling route through the Pays de Caux that links cultural and culinary stops. These include a stop at the Jumenterie des Néfliers. As a cycling route, it differs in format from the horseback rides and carriage rides; check the route details before setting off.
Honey and Regional Products
Les Ruchers de Florine operates a farm shop and honey workshop in Mentheville. Honey and other beehive products are sold there. Access is seasonal; check again before your visit.
The selection includes homemade gingerbread, summer, spring and chestnut honey, pollen, homemade hazelnut honey, beeswax candles, honey sweets, soaps and propolis. It includes various types of honey as well as other beehive products. Together with the picnics featuring regional products on the horseback rides, this creates a culinary focus distinct from the landscape and architecture themes.
Discover more destinations: Veules-Les-Roses, Saint-Martin-du-Bec, Houquetot, Saint-Pierre-Le-Vieux, Manneville-ès-Plains, Biville-la-Rivière, Bouelles, Longueil.
For the regional travel overview: Seine-Maritime.
