The next stop during my sister's vacation in France was the small town of Gerberoy. It was located about halfway between our home in Senlis France and the city of Rouen, which was where we were coming from that day. Naturally, it made sense for us to add one more location during her visit and do a quick stop off there during our drive back home.
Gerberoy is a quaint little town known for its charming little cottages that decorated by large rose bushes and full gardens lining its cobblestone streets.
The town itself is situated within a nice setting as well, on a small hill with views looking out over rolling hills and pasture land.
Such simplicity's are often referred to with a sort of reverence and awe as the "French Countryside."
Being mid summer the landscape was a bit dry at the time of our visit, but if you ever see it in the spring or early summer it really is all the wonder that people say it is.
On this particular visit we missed all of the roses being in full bloom, as well as the wisteria and most of the really nice flowers.
But there were a few flowers hanging on still so that nice to see. We got to see the half timber homes as well, with their charming little doors and windows painted in their bright colors.
I'm a sucker for a good doorway or window, as you may know if you have seen any of my previous posts on the subject. There are quite a few of them now.
My wife and I had been to Gerberoy many times in the past and we have always quite liked the place. I would recommend going in early to mid June to get the full effect of the gardens.
The streets can be quite busy at that time since people come from all around to see the flower gardens. But it's still worth it. You can camp right outside of town as well, in a large field converted to a parking lot.
The town was quite dead the day we went so not a lot was going on. We decided to walk the streets and then took the trail that winds around the town itself.
It wasn't a very long hike but it happens to come with a view of the the Henri le Sidaner Gardens. We stopped there to take some photos of course.
Sidaner was a famous painter from the town and his home has been converted into a garden and museum. There is a small hill around the back of it that provides a great view into the property.
I've never been inside of it. I think it's been closed, two out of the three times that we've been there.
Nonetheless I think it's only 6 euro to enter so it's probably worth while.
Anyway, the town is small so we didn't spend a whole lot of time there.
After we finished our walk around we headed back to the car and drove home. It was just a quick stop to stretch our legs and view a few little cottages.