Le Bec-Hellouin

A steep path through the woods leads from the camp site down to the village of Le Bec-Hellouin. As well as being a pretty half-timbered place itself, it contains the remains of a large monastery.

In many ways the layout of the village around a small green looked very English, and you realise how what we regard as a distinctly English settlement might well have been a Norman import.

The English connection was also apparent in the monastery, if I read the signs correctly then the place's mother church seems to have been the cathedral at Canterbury. Most of the original buildings apart from a single Norman tower, look as if they were remodelled or at least incorporated into 18th century structures. Nevertheless it exudes that sense of timeless tranquillity that you find in many monastic sights. 

The village looked and sounded less idyllic, partly because most of the roads were half excavated - drain renewal? - also the local dogs seemed to be having a 'I can bark louder than you' competition, and the minor road through the place was bendy enough to attract suicidally minded bikers, out for a bank holiday thrill. 

All in all though, it is a pretty place. We wandered about, took a few photos, agreed the 2 restaurants were out of our price range, then walked back up the steep path to the campsite.