The Seine-Maritime region boasts a rich industrial heritage dating back to the 19th century. Such is the case of the Touffreville-sur-Eu railway viaduct, which has just been designated a Seine-Maritime rural heritage site.

After the black fumes of coal-fired locomotive chimneys, it's time to turn to nature. The Chemin Vert du Petit Caux, a hiking trail, now includes the Viaduct, allowing visitors to discover a magnificent landscape on foot, on horseback or by bike.

It all began in 1872 with the opening of the 40 km Dieppe-Eu railroad line, where the Touffreville-Sur-Eu Viaduct was built to cross the Yères valley. Inaugurated in 1885, the brick viaduct features 9 arches, and the line is operated by Compagnie de l'Ouest, notably to transport pebbles for industrial export. A link of the coastal railroad from Le Tréport to Le Havre was then operated to serve the beaches, whose seaside activity was booming with casinos, villas and sumptuous hotels with architecture typical of the Normandy coast. Before 1914, it took 1h45 to travel from Dieppe to Le Tréport, with five omnibuses making the journey each day.

From 1938, the line was closed to passengers and devoted to freight transport. The Second World War led to the disappearance of most of the buildings on the coast, and the seaside activity came to a halt.
Freight traffic resumed until 1972, when it came to a halt with the oil crisis. The SNCF then bought up the 17 km of track between Saint-Quentin-au-Bosc and Eu, and in 1986 turned it into a hiking trail - the birth of the Chemin Vert du Petit Caux!

To better appreciate the richness of the Petit Caux agricultural plateau, put on your hiking gear and set off to discover the history of this railroad past and savor the joy of being in the middle of nature. Along the way, you'll come across numerous animals, discover the flora and take picnic breaks.
It takes four hours to complete this long hike, but you can do it in sections and admire the gatekeeper's house, the level crossings and the Touffreville-sur-Eu goods hall. For your convenience, there are numerous information panels along the way.