A small village of 599 inhabitants, Veules-les-Roses is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Normandy and has many attractions.
The river Veules, which flows through the commune, is the shortest sea-bound river in France at 1.194 kilometres (0.742 mi). Its water is used to create ponds for growing watercress whence it finds its way to the sea through a gap in the high chalk cliffs, which overlook a sand and pebble beach.
The town’s founding dates from the late third century. The village extends along its rivers: the Veules (the smallest river in France: 1194.35 meters) and on the heights of the cliff.
Over the centuries, Veules prospered (small fishing port flourished in the Middle Ages village of weavers in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century) but also many trials: invasions, fires, hurricanes, famine... but its inhabitants are always made face courageously.
In the nineteenth century, thanks to the fashion of sea bathing, Veules becomes one of the most popular holiday resorts of Caux coast. Many artists have come here to paint, such as Anaïs Aubert, Étienne Mélingue, Henri Harpignies, Paul Meurice, Samuel Peploe and John Duncan Fergusson of the Scottish Colourists school, Ilya Repin and Alexey Bogolyubov of the Russian Peredvizhniki school. Writers include Leroux and Eugène Pierron, Alexandre Dumas fils, Lockroy, José-Maria de Heredia, Henri Rochefort, Alexis Bouvier, Jules Michelet and Victor Hugo, poets Jean Richepin and François Coppée, dramatists Jules Claretie, Henri Lavedan and Émile Bergerat and the composer Alexandre Georges.
Politicians such as Henri Maret, Alexandre Millerand, René Viviani, Louis Malvy, Albert Clemenceau and Pierre Taittinger came here for the sea air. Victor Boucher, Georges Chamarat, Saint-Granier, the writer Maurice Privat, Dominique Bonnaud as well as sports personalities Suzanne Lenglen and Lucien Gaudin.
Large hotels and beautiful villas are built, the number of visitors revived the craft and trade. This flourishing period will last until 1940. At that date, French and British troops are encircled by the German army. On 12 June 1940, Veules saw a fierce battle and suffered the German occupation until 1944.
