Lyons la Foret is to be found 30km east of Rouen, in Normandy. This is a village of half-timbered houses in the middle of an oak forest. The village is located around the remains of the castle where Henry the first of England died. Maurice Ravel wrote some of his finest music in Le Fresne, one of the old mansions you can visit. The forest is the largest in Normandy and one of the biggest beechwood in Europe. Lyons la Foret, like many of the pretty Normandy towns, is best remembered for its half-timbered house, so typical of the region. Highlights of the town, apart from the pleasure of simply wandering through the streets, include: the covered market place, dating from the 18th century, the church and the town hall. The forest itself is well worth exploring - it is still one of the largest Beech woods in Europe, and a lovely place for a quiet walk.
