Discovering Eure (Department 27)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
The Eure (Department 27) is part of Normandy in northern France, lying between Paris and the Normandy coast. It is one of those departments that often surprises newcomers. While many people pass through on their way to the coast, those who stay discover attractive market towns, peaceful countryside, historic villages and excellent transport connections.
For English-speaking people considering moving to Eure, retiring in Eure, buying a holiday home or running a business, the department offers a balance between rural French living and easy access to larger cities. Property remains more affordable than many areas closer to Paris, while the quality of life is generally high.
Whether you're looking for a quiet retirement, a family-friendly environment or a base with excellent links across northern France, Eure deserves serious consideration.
Eure At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Normandy |
Historic name | Part of the former Province of Normandy |
Department number | 27 |
Department capital | Évreux |
Largest towns | Évreux, Vernon, Louviers, Val-de-Reuil, Gisors, Bernay |
Population | Approximately 610,000 |
Area | 6,040 km² |
Climate | Temperate oceanic with mild winters and comfortable summers |
Best suited for | Families, retirees, commuters, entrepreneurs, second-home owners |
Is a car recommended? | Yes, especially outside larger towns |
English-speaking community | Moderate, with growing international residents |
Lifestyle summary | Relaxed rural living with excellent access to Paris and Normandy |
Why Choose Eure?
Lifestyle
Eure offers a slower pace of life without feeling isolated. Residents enjoy attractive villages, riverside towns, local markets and abundant countryside while remaining close to major transport routes.
Life tends to revolve around local communities, cafés, markets and outdoor activities rather than busy city living.
Community
The department has a welcoming atmosphere. While French is the everyday language, many communities include British, Dutch, Belgian and other international residents.
There are local associations, sports clubs and cultural groups that make integration easier for newcomers.
Scenery
Eure features:
Rolling farmland
Forests
River valleys
Historic villages
Traditional Norman architecture
The Seine Valley
Beautiful gardens and parks
It is greener than many people expect and offers plenty of opportunities for walking and cycling.
Accessibility
One of Eure's greatest strengths is its location.
Residents benefit from:
Around one hour to Paris by train from several towns
Easy motorway access
Good links to Rouen, Caen and Le Havre
Convenient travel to northern Europe
Ferry ports within reasonable driving distance
This makes it attractive for those who travel frequently or split their time between France and the UK.
Food
Normandy is famous throughout France for excellent local produce.
Highlights include:
Apples and cider
Camembert and other Norman cheeses
Cream and butter
Seafood from nearby coastal areas
Local beef
Fresh market produce
Weekly markets make buying local food easy.
Culture
History is everywhere.
The department contains medieval towns, castles, abbeys, churches and historic estates while maintaining an active programme of festivals, concerts and local events throughout the year.
Property
Compared with many departments closer to Paris, Eure provides excellent value.
Buyers can choose from:
Country cottages
Farmhouses
Village homes
Modern family houses
Town apartments
Character properties
Prices generally rise closer to Paris and along the Seine Valley but remain reasonable elsewhere.
Pace of Life
Life is generally peaceful without being remote.
Many residents appreciate:
Less traffic
Shorter commuting times
Strong local communities
Good public services
Easy access to larger towns when needed
Eure Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Explanation |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Peaceful towns, healthcare facilities and excellent quality of life make Eure very attractive. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good schools, parks and safe communities suit family living. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Easily accessible from Paris and northern Europe with attractive countryside. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Strong transport links and proximity to Paris provide business opportunities. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Reliable internet in most areas and excellent transport connections support hybrid working. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Rivers, forests and countryside provide plenty of recreational opportunities. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Larger towns provide amenities, but those seeking vibrant city life may prefer Rouen or Paris. |
Popular Places to Live
Évreux
Description
The departmental capital offering a wide range of shops, healthcare, schools and employment.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Retirees
Advantages
Excellent services
Hospital
Rail connections
Shopping
Cultural activities
Things to consider
More urban than much of the department.
Vernon
Description
A picturesque riverside town close to the Seine and within easy reach of Paris.
Ideal for
Commuters
Retirees
Second-home owners
Advantages
Fast train connections
Attractive historic centre
Riverside setting
Things to consider
Property demand can be higher due to its location.
Bernay
Description
A charming Norman market town with traditional architecture.
Ideal for
Retirees
Families
Those seeking authentic French life
Advantages
Historic centre
Markets
Friendly atmosphere
Things to consider
Smaller employment market.
Gisors
Description
A lively town near the border with Île-de-France.
Ideal for
Commuters
Families
Advantages
Good transport links
Historic castle
Strong local economy
Things to consider
Increasing popularity has influenced property demand.
Louviers
Description
A well-equipped town with parks, shops and cultural facilities.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Advantages
Good amenities
Affordable housing
Active community
Things to consider
More suburban feel than rural villages.
Le Neubourg
Description
A traditional Norman market town surrounded by farmland.
Ideal for
Retirees
Rural lifestyle seekers
Advantages
Weekly markets
Friendly community
Peaceful surroundings
Things to consider
Car ownership is almost essential.
Val-de-Reuil
Description
A modern town with business parks and growing employment opportunities.
Ideal for
Professionals
Entrepreneurs
Advantages
Modern infrastructure
Employment
Rail access
Things to consider
Less historic character than older towns.
Cost of Living
Overall, Eure offers good value compared with many neighbouring departments.
Property affordability
Property prices vary considerably. Areas nearest Paris generally command higher prices, while villages and smaller market towns remain relatively affordable.
Traditional farmhouses and renovation projects can provide particularly good value.
Shopping
Residents have access to supermarkets, independent shops and lively weekly markets.
Buying seasonal produce locally often helps keep grocery bills reasonable.
Utilities
Utility costs are broadly in line with national averages. Older rural homes may require higher heating costs during winter, particularly if they have not been modernised.
Eating out
Restaurants range from traditional village cafés to high-quality Norman restaurants.
Lunch menus often provide particularly good value.
General value for money
For many newcomers, Eure offers an attractive balance between affordability and access to services, especially when compared with areas closer to Paris.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is generally good.
Main hospitals
The principal hospitals include:
Centre Hospitalier Eure-Seine (Évreux)
Hospital services in Vernon
Additional specialist care in Rouen and Paris
Healthcare availability
Most towns have GPs, dentists and healthcare professionals, although finding a family doctor can sometimes require patience.
Access to specialists
Many specialists practise in Évreux, while more complex care is available in Rouen and Paris.
Pharmacies
Every sizeable town has pharmacies, with emergency services available outside normal hours through the French rota system.
General healthcare considerations
France's healthcare system is highly regarded. Registering with the French healthcare system and obtaining appropriate health cover should be one of the first priorities after moving.
Education
Families have a good range of educational options.
Schools
The department has numerous public primary and secondary schools, along with several private establishments.
Colleges
Further education colleges and vocational training centres are available across the department.
Universities are easily accessible in nearby Rouen, Caen and Paris.
International options
While Eure has limited international schools, several bilingual and international schools can be reached within commuting distance of Paris.
Language schools
French language courses for adults are available through local organisations, associations and private providers.
Getting Around
Airports
Nearby airports include:
Paris Charles de Gaulle
Paris Orly
Deauville-Normandie Airport
Beauvais Airport (for some routes)
Rail
Rail services connect several towns with:
Paris
Rouen
Caen
Normandy destinations
Vernon is particularly popular with commuters.
Roads
Excellent road infrastructure includes:
A13 motorway
A28
National road network
Driving across the department is generally straightforward.
Public transport
Larger towns operate local bus networks, although rural services can be limited.
Is a car recommended?
Yes.
A car greatly improves flexibility, especially for village living, shopping and exploring the countryside.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Évreux | Wednesday & Saturday |
Vernon | Wednesday & Saturday |
Bernay | Saturday |
Gisors | Friday |
Louviers | Saturday |
Le Neubourg | Wednesday |
Pont-Audemer | Monday |
Beaumont-le-Roger | Tuesday |
Local Food & Drink
Eure shares many of Normandy's culinary traditions.
Local specialities include:
Camembert
Neufchâtel cheese
Livarot cheese
Norman butter
Fresh cream
Apples
Apple juice
Cider
Calvados
Pommeau
Duck dishes
Local beef
Game in season
Fresh pastries
Tarte Normande
Farm shops and local markets are excellent places to discover regional produce.
Things to Do
Historic sites
Château Gaillard overlooking the Seine
Medieval castles
Historic churches
Abbeys
Timber-framed villages
Outdoor activities
Walking
Cycling
Canoeing
Fishing
Horse riding
Golf
Museums
The department offers museums covering local history, art, archaeology and Norman heritage.
Festivals
Residents enjoy:
Food festivals
Music festivals
Medieval celebrations
Agricultural fairs
Christmas markets
Nature
Highlights include:
Seine Valley
Forests
Nature reserves
Rivers
Country parks
Gardens
Family attractions
Families enjoy animal parks, adventure centres, gardens, cycling routes and river activities throughout the year.
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
Learning French will significantly improve day-to-day life and help you integrate into the local community.
Rural living
Many villages are peaceful but have fewer services. Planning shopping trips and transport is important.
Internet
High-speed broadband and fibre continue to expand across the department, although availability still varies in some rural locations.
Seasonal tourism
Tourism is much less intense than in Normandy's coastal areas, creating a quieter year-round environment.
Climate
Expect mild summers, damp winters and occasional periods of rain throughout the year. The climate is generally comfortable without extremes.
Community life
Joining clubs, markets, local associations and community events is one of the best ways to build friendships and settle into life in Eure.
Useful Biz Où? Guides
If you're considering living in Eure, these additional Biz Où? guides may also be helpful:
Buying a Home in France
Retiring to France
Moving to France
Second Home in France
Starting a Business in France
Healthcare in France
Tax in France
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living here, moving here, retiring here or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more.
Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
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