Les Andelys Travel Guide
City Historic town with medieval architecture in Normandy
From the crumbling Château Gaillard above the Seine, Les Andelys serves river views, cliffside walks and small cafés; history buffs come for Richard the Lionheart’s fort, painters for light over the water, and boaters for quiet downstream runs.
Why Visit Les Andelys? #
Perched above a dramatic bend in the Seine, this Normandy town draws visitors primarily for Château Gaillard and the riverside panorama it affords. The twin settlements of Grand and Petit Andelys offer medieval timber-framed streets and cliff-top viewpoints, while river cruises and local cider provide leisurely ways to soak up the setting. Proximity to Rouen and the wider Norman landscape means history, hearty regional cuisine and river scenery combine into a compact, characterful stop.
Top Things to Do in Les Andelys
All Attractions ›
- Château Gaillard - Ruined medieval fortress founded by Richard the Lionheart with commanding Seine views.
- Petit Andelys riverside quarter - Charming riverside quarter with narrow streets, timbered houses, and riverside cafés.
- Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame - Gothic church near the castle containing stained glass and soaring vaults.
- Seine riverside footpaths - Riverside footpaths offering quieter views back toward Château Gaillard and passing barges.
- Weekly market - Weekly market selling local cheeses, bread, and Normandy produce on market days.
- Local riverside cafés - Small cafés along the Seine serving Normandy cider, galettes, and river views.
- Giverny - Giverny and Monet's house and water garden, perfect for art lovers and photographers.
- Rouen - Rouen's medieval centre with cathedral, Gros Horloge, and Joan of Arc heritage sites.
Best Time to Visit Les Andelys #
Les Andelys is nicest from late spring through early autumn when the Seine valley and châteaux are accessible and weather is pleasant. Winters are mild but often grey and rainy.
Best Time to Visit Les Andelys #
Les Andelys's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (648 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 68 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Les Andelys
Les Andelys is best reached by rail to Vernon or Rouen followed by a short bus or taxi transfer. The town itself is compact; local buses and taxis handle short distances while walking is ideal for exploring the centre and riverfront.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) / Orly (ORY): Les Andelys is most commonly reached from Paris airports. From CDG/ORY you can take train services into central Paris and then rail or coach toward Vernon/Giverny or Rouen followed by a short bus or taxi to Les Andelys; total travel time is generally around 1.5-2.5 hours depending on connections.
Beauvais (BVA): Beauvais is a lower-cost option but involves longer onward ground travel (coach to Paris then train/coach toward Normandy); allow extra time for connections.
Train: Les Andelys does not have a major national rail hub; the closest main railway stations are Vernon-Giverny (on the Paris-Rouen line) and Gaillon-Aubevoye, from which you can take local buses or a short taxi to Les Andelys. Train travel to Vernon from Paris Saint-Lazare takes around 45-60 minutes, then a bus/taxi of ~20-30 minutes to Les Andelys.
Bus: Departmental buses and coach services link Les Andelys with Vernon, Rouen and nearby towns; bus timetables are seasonal and less frequent than rail, so check local schedules in advance.
How to Get Around Les Andelys #
Les Andelys is compact and best explored on foot - the château and riverside areas are close by. Regional buses connect Les Andelys to larger towns; taxis are limited and schedules can be sparse outside daytime hours.
Where to Stay in Les Andelys #
Where to Eat in Les Andelys #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Les Andelys's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Les Andelys #
Nightlife is very quiet, mostly small bars and cafés that close earlier than in larger towns. Evening activity tends to be seasonal, picking up during tourist months and quieter in winter.
Shopping in Les Andelys #
Retail in Les Andelys is small-scale: boutique shops, tourist-oriented stalls and everyday services serve visitors and residents. Souvenir and local craft shops cluster near the château and riverfront for visitors.
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