Along the water in the valleys of Cauchoises

The Terroir of Caux is a palette of landscapes that is organized around its four main waterways. The Saâne and the Scie, coastal rivers, sometimes wild, sometimes tamed, throughout the agricultural and industrial history of their valleys, are omnipresent. The Vienne and the Varenne, more discreet rivers, are no less worthy of interest because of their wilder character and the richness of their environment, the Vienne being even classified for this reason. We suggest you to go along them along the hiking trails marked out with stops in our villages of character…

The Saâne

Witness and actor of the local history

The Saâne River rises in Val de Saâne and flows into the English Channel after a 36-kilometer run.

Although away from the major traffic routes, the Saâne Valley has, during the 19th century, developed significant agricultural and industrial activity. As early as the 18th century, many moulins were installed along the banks, to grind wheat, scutch flax, and later to provide electricity. Of the 32 hydraulic works recorded on the Saâne, 3 are still in a state to produce electricity today. Left aside during the first waves of railroad construction, it was decided, at the beginning of the 20th century, to establish a small railway to bring modernity. Inaugurated in 1912, a line managed by the Chemin de fer de Normandie, ran through the valley, carrying men and goods to the main network (the lines from Rouen to Le Havre and from Dieppe to Fécamp). Closed in 1947, Le Tortillard has marked the local history and memory.

On the piscicultural level, the population of “wild” brown trout on the Saâne remains despite a marked decline over the past 30 years. The river also hosts some migratory fish such as salmon or sea trout. You will enjoy the fishing courses managed by the AAPPMA of Dieppe and its surroundings.

The Vienna

Classified site

This small river of 16 kms, main tributary of the Saâne which it joins at Gueures, takes its source at Beauval-en-Caux. The history of the Vienne is very much linked to that of the Saâne since it is its main tributary. Thus, the little train of the Tortillard served a certain number of the communes of the valley. The banks of the Vienne once had 9 mills, all in ruins today but of which sometimes remain the falls or the buildings as evidenced by the Marquet mill in Lamberville.

Highly preserved, the Vienne valley has been legally protected as such since 1996, listed as a picturesque site recognized for its landscape quality. As a result, the natural and built heritage of the valley also benefits from special attention. A dive into nature that will delight hikers and naturalists!

The Saw

Valley of the illustrious... and apple trees!

The Scie surveys 38 kms from its source at Etaimpuis to its mouth at Pourville-sur-Mer where it flows into the Channel.

Narrow valley that goes quite deep into the Pays de Caux, the valley of the Scie passes through towns whose famous hosts have left many traces: Longueville-sur-Scie, Saint-Victor-l’Abbaye, where the memory of William The Conqueror still hovers, Auffay and its surroundings where Flaubert planted some sets of Madame Bovary, and where Michel Hollard discovered the V1 launch bases allowing the allies to foil the object. Many mills have occupied the river since the Middle Ages, one of which can be visited today, the Moulin de l’Arbalète in Saint-Maclou-de-Folleville. The rest of the valley is turned to agriculture as evidenced by the many orchards.

La Varenne

Valley of the Bisons

A tributary of the Arques, the Varenne is a 40-kilometer river that runs through the Terroir de Caux, delineating it from the Pays de Bray.

A predominantly rural valley, the Varenne is dominated by the Eawy forest, which offers numerous hiking opportunities. It is also home to the largest Canadian bison farm in Europe, at the Rêve de Bisons complex, which offers tourist accommodations, a visit to the bison and deer farm in a 4×4, a walking tour to discover the wolf park, a restaurant, and sports activities. You can also go down the Varenne river by canoe from the base. A must-see in the Terroir de Caux!

Down the Varenne by canoe

Like many rivers in the region, the Varenne is classified as a first category river and many salmonids nest there such as salmon, sea trout and brown trout.