Nestling in a restful, verdant setting at the heart of the state-owned forest of Lyons, the charming village of Lyons-la-Forêt, the former place of residence of the Dukes of Normandy which is now listed among the most beautiful villages of France, forms a harmonious group that is typically Norman. Its central square is delightfully picturesque, with its old half-timbered façades, 18th-century wooden market halls, fountains and cafes with terraces providing an ideal place to relax.
Take a walk around Lyons and other attractions will be revealed: the elegant neo-Norman residence where the famous composer Maurice Ravel stayed, the birthplace of the poet Isaac de Benserade, and a little further along, near the River Lieure, the 12th-16th century Church of St. Denis. Also worth a look is the town hall, with its court room with original 18th-century décor.
