Mount Saint-Catherine first presents itself. We may go to it, either by
the Paris high road, or by the _petites eaux_ Martainville. The last
mentioned, although the least frequented, is perhaps the preferable
route on account of the diversity of the landscape.
It will be useless for the traveller, when he has reached the top of the
hill, to look for the ancient abbey of the _Sainte-Trinite-du-Mont_, the
chapel of the _priory of Saint-Michel_, or the fortifications, in which
the marquis of Villars withstood the attacks of Henry IVth; nothing of
them remains at the present day, except two remnants of a wall, which
threaten to fall on the traveller, who is imprudent enough to approach
too near them.
From this elevated position, in turning towards the north-east, we see
the valley of _Darnetal_, which has become so rich through the industry
of those who inhabit it. The eye reposes with pleasure on the gothic
tower of the church of _Carville_; and of which, according to tradition,
Henry IVth, made a post of observation when he besieged the fort of the
_ligue_. We must not forget that an English detachment, which served in
the army of the king, conducted itself very bravely in the different
attacks, with which it was entrusted. On the opposite side of the valley
of Darnetal and towards the north, we distinguish the hill named _des
Sapins_, on which the monumental burying ground is situated. This latter
hill adjoins the _Bois-Guillaume_ from which also the view is admirable
although inferior to that from the mount Saint-Catherine, which advances
like a promontory, above the immense valley of the Seine, while that of
Bois-Guillaume or Beauvoisine, recedes from the circular line formed by
the union of these different hills.
The Bois-Guillaume joins _Saint-Aignan_. We cross the latter _commune_,
on our way to _Mont-aux-Malades_, formerly the _Mont-Saint-Jacques_.
Antiquarians will not fail to go and see a church at this place, which
is a venerable remains of norman architecture. There were two, but the
other is now almost destroyed. Travellers should also visit the hill of
_Canteleu_ from which the view is very fine, and at the same time the
country house of M. Elie Lefebure, called the _Chateau of Canteleu_.