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Village Le Bec-Hellouin (Normandy)

Last updated on May 12, 2021 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Discover the charming village of Le Bec-Hellouin with half-timbered houses and an old abbey.
It is one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy and deserves a detour to be visited.
Below is my guide to help you plan your stop there.

Visit Le Bec Hellouin Normandy Travel Pin2

Table of Contents
Why visit the village of Le Bec-Hellouin?
Planning Tips - Le Bec-Hellouin Normandy
Norman half-timbered houses
Abbey Gate & Village history
Notre-Dame-du-Bec Abbey
Church Saint-André

This article contains affiliate links (Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


Why visit the village of Le Bec-Hellouin?

Le Bec-Hellouin is one of the most charming villages in Normandy:

  • it is built around several rows of old half-timbered houses with different colors
  • the village is niched in a valley with green hills on both side
  • it is home to an old abbey with a fascinating gate and peaceful environment

It is a typical Norman village that is very well maintained for the pleasure of photographers. Look at that view! 

village of Le Bec-Hellouin

Village of Le Bec-Hellouin, Normandy

Le Bec-Hellouin is officially one of the most beautiful villages in France. It has received the Label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
And it was definitively one of my favorites. Visiting a typical village is one of the top things to do in Normandy.

Sign plus beaux villages de France at Le Bec-Hellouin

Below is a short video to give you a snapshot of what a visit can look like.
First you have the abbey and then the village.

More details and photos after the planning tips.Enter your text here...


Planning Tips - Le Bec-Hellouin Normandy

How to get to Le Bec-Hellouin

  • District of Eure
  • South of the Seine River, in the heart of Normandy
  • Rouen to Le Bec-Hellouin = 45min drive
  • Evreux to Le Bec-Hellouin = 50min drive
  • You need a car to reach the village

Le Bec-Hellouin is included in my eBook to help you early plan your road trip around Normandy:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

s the road trip guide normandy eBook cover

Plan your perfect trip around Normandy with:

  • 8 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 160+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 315+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

Visit Tips 

  • Access is easy.
  • Parking is limited near the abbey but there are more spaces near the river.
  • Free access to the abbey or guided visits
  • The abbey is closed on Tuesdays - more info on the official website: https://abbayedubec.org/visites/
  • It is easy to walk around with only slight slopes.
  • Plan 2h to enjoy the village and the abbey
  • But you can also enjoy a good lunch at one of the restaurants.
  • Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking or look for options on Airbnb 
Le Bec-Hellouin carpark

Norman half-timbered houses

Many towns and villages in Normandy have a few half-timbered houses.
But in Le Bec-Hellouin, there are several rows of them.
They are impressive and pretty. They all have different colors and are well-maintained.
They simply look charming, as you can see:

Le Bec-Hellouin streets with Half timbered houses

As you can see in the picture above, the village is surrounded by tree-covered hills. It is nestled in the Bec Valley. (The name Bec comes from bekkr of Scandinavian origin, which means stream).
Therefore it is quite green which compliments the beautiful houses.

Plus, as you can see in all the pictures, the village government and house owners are paying attention to their gardens and lands.
Flowers and beautiful landscaping make the views even better!

Le Bec-Hellouin streets with Half timbered houses 2
Le Bec-Hellouin streets with Half timbered houses 3

It was so charming that we had a morning stop at the little cafe below (blue building on the right). It was really nice.
We wished we had been there for lunch because of the atmosphere... you just want to sit and relax.

Le Bec-Hellouin streets with Half timbered houses 4

Abbey Gate & Village history

One of the most striking architectural pieces is the gate to the Abbey of Notre-Dame-du-Bec.
And they made it even more special with the landscaping of the square.

Le Bec-Hellouin Abbey gate

Below is the view of the gate from the outside.
You can see

  • the 2 towers with different shapes and sizes
  • and the square rocks in 2 colors
Le Bec-Hellouin Abbey gate 2

And below you can see that same gate from inside the abbey. You can see more clearly the difference in size of the towers.

Le Bec-Hellouin Abbey gate 3

Le Bec-Hellouin history

You have now entered the abbey. and this is where the history of the village began.
The abbey was founded in 1034/35 by a man called Hellouin or Herluin. He was first a knight and later converted to monastic life.
It quickly became a famous spiritual center thanks to 2 famous religious Italian men who drew attention to the Abbey:

  • Lanfranc of Pavia, who founded a school 
  • Anselm of Aosta, who developed the Christian thought and spread the spirituality

They both later became Archbishops of Canterbury.

As often, a village developed around the abbey where workers helping in maintaining the abbey would live.

The abbey was still shining during the 14th century. Sadly, in 1417, fearing an attack by the English troops, the abbot destroyed the village.
It was reformed and re-established in the 17th century.

During the revolution, the buildings were turned into barracks.

Monks finally returned in 1948.


Notre-Dame-du-Bec Abbey

Now that you have learnt a little about the history of the abbey, let's have a look inside.

During a free visit, there is not as much to see as in other abbeys in Normandy.
However I really enjoyed the peaceful environment of the park surrounding it. I felt so relaxed after my walk around.

Le Bec-Hellouin Notre Dame Abbey entrance

You enter by a tunnel under the building.
On the other side remains a tall tower that was part of the church: The Saint Nicolas Tower. It dates back to the 15th century.
The tower is square, 11m on each side. There used to be an arrow on top but it was destroyed by a fire in 1810.
It was the Bell tower with 4 large bells but they were destroyed during the revolution.
It is quite impressive to have it, so tall, standing alone like that.

Le Bec-Hellouin Notre Dame Abbey tower

Then you can enjoy the walking path with beautiful trees and views.

Le Bec-Hellouin Notre Dame Abbey park

On one side the monastic buildings are quite impressive with rows and rows of windows.
They are from the 18th century.

Le Bec-Hellouin Notre Dame Abbey building

If there is no service, you can enter the current church that is quite surprising inside the same building.
It has been set up in the old refectory.
There is hardly any decoration and the lengthy ceiling is quite fascinating in my opinion.
The aisle is 75m long.

Le Bec-Hellouin Notre Dame Abbey church

Don't forget to stop at the shop. The abbey is famous for its candles and ceramics.


Church Saint-André

Otherwise at the center the village you can also see another religious building. A small church: Saint-André
It is quite austere looking. However, it is built on a slope, so it is quite original to look at.
Until the Revolution, the church was dependent of the abbey.

Le Bec-Hellouin church
Le Bec-Hellouin church 1

Note: 2 kilometers from the abbey, there is also a convent, following the rule of Saint-Benedict, in modern buildings.


And keep track of your own trip!

Normandy road trip Journal

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