Veules-les-Roses

The Veules rises from springs in the village and reaches the Channel about a kilometre and a quarter later, which makes it generally counted the shortest river in France, and the village is laid out along it: watercress beds, restored watermills, footbridges and thatched and timbered cottages line a path that follows the whole length of the river from source to beach in about half an hour. Victor Hugo stayed here and the village drew writers and painters through the nineteenth century. Oysters are farmed at the mouth, unusually for this stretch of chalk coast, and the beach sits between cliffs.

What you actually see

• The whole river - source to sea walked in about half an hour.
• The watercress beds - cultivation along the stream in the village.
• The watermills - restored wheels on the short watercourse.
• The beach - shingle between chalk cliffs at the river mouth.

When to go

April to October; the river walk is the point and needs reasonable weather. The village is quiet out of season with limited opening. Summer weekends bring day visitors.

Honest expectations

The village is small and the walk short. Facilities are limited. The beach is shingle rather than sand and the Channel is cold. Access without a car is awkward.

Nearby

Dieppe lies northeast; Fecamp is southwest.