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This medieval village just 2 hours from Paris, blending colorful houses and historic buildings, ranks among France's most beautiful

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The Editor

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As temperatures continue to drop and Christmas holidays still seem far away, time can feel like it's dragging on in the capital. So why not treat yourself to a little weekend exploring some of France's most beautiful villages? This week, we're heading to Normandy!

We all know it—our beautiful country is bursting with little hidden gems waiting to be discovered one after another. And we at Bonbon? We're passionate about sharing them with you. So this week, we're taking you a little further north to explore the enchanted streets of Bec-Hellouin. A Norman village that looks like a postcard, whisking us back in time through its captivating medieval history.


A rich history

It's nestled in the heart of a lush valley, in Eure, that you'll find the village of Bec-Hellouin. A unique little town whose story is deeply connected to that of op-8-des-plus-belles-abbayes-a-moins-d-une-heure-de-paris/">the Benedictine abbey founded in 1034 which stands proudly at its heart. Created by knight Hellouin (from whom, as you'll have guessed, the town takes its name), it still houses a community of monks today. The other part of its name, Bec, comes from the stream that runs through it.

While the religious monument still brings fame to this place today, it also greatly contributed to its influence throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, attracting thinkers from all over. But its history hasn't been peaceful, as the village was actually destroyed twice during the Hundred Years' War, and later during the French Revolution.


A village bursting with treasures

Fortunately, today, Bec-Hellouin has regained all its peacefulness, and offers us an absolutely charming stroll just a few hours' drive from the capital. On the tour itinerary, the abbey, of course, but also the magnificent colorful half-timbered houses, which soothe the soul and warm our hearts right in the middle of winter. The Saint-André Church is also worth the detour, as is the Abbé-Herluin square, the central hub of the village.

On your way to stroll along the banks of the Bec, you'll also pass by the ceramic studios, a specialty of the village, and the Paradis caves, which were used to store the monks' reserves before serving as bomb shelters during the Second World War. Much more than a countryside getaway, Bec-Hellouin offers you a genuine journey through time, and a poetic pause far from the hustle and bustle of the capital!