Neufchatel en Bray

Description:

Introduction

Neufchatel is a pleasant market town in Seine-Maritime, Upper Normandy with a fine 12 century church.

Geography

This small town in the farming area of Pays de Bray sits by the banks of the river Bethune, some 40 km (25 m) southeast of Dieppe, at Junctions 8 and 9 of the A28 motorway with its direct links to the Channel ports.

Economy

There is a milk processing plant in the town and Neufchatel is well known for its creamy white cheese which may be bought direct from local farms in the area. The cheese is often found in a heart shape the origins of which relate to the English occupation of Normandy during the Hundred Years War.

Culture

The Musée Mathon-Durand is housed in a 17th century building. Its collections include plates, ceramics and china for which the region was well known. It also houses other brayonne artefacts relating to cider making, surgical instruments and firearms - a varied and interesting collection.

Tourism

The town is well-placed for tourists passing through the area on the way to or from the west, Calvados and beyond to Brittany but this little town merits a detour in itself.

Worth a Visit

Neufchatel is an historic town with links to the kings of England and the places of interest include the château du Val-Boury, two museums, the motte and moat of a feudal castle built by Henry I of England and the church of Notre-Dame, dating from the twelfth century.

Sporting and other activities

The town is close to the Avenue Verte, a 40km long cycle and footpath converted from the former railway line to Dieppe which goes from south to north. It passes though the pastoral countryside of the Bethune Valley between chalk escarpments. The nearest golf courses are at St Saens and Abbeville in the Somme department of Picardy.