You probably never heard of Aumale, because it is a small village with just over 2,000 in population. I wouldn’t have thought of visiting this place, if it is not for Walid’s work assignment in Aumale.
Where is it
Aumale is a commune in the Normandie region, north west of France. The Bresle river runs across the Aumale, before exiting at Le Treport into the English channel.
Getting in Aumale
The train station in Aumale is currently closed down for major maintenance, at least until the end of the year. The nearest train station is Beauvais, which is about 1 hour drive away.
You’ll need a car to get in Aumale. From Paris, you’ll have to drive 2 hours north bound.
Getting around Aumale
Aumale is a very small town. The places of interest are all within 400m radius of the town centre. So, you can pretty much explore the whole town on foot.
What to see in Aumale
Butter hall (La halle au beurre)
Historically used by locals for agricultural trade. The space is big enough for up to 60 traders of butter and eggs to sell their produces. Today, it is mainly used for stage fairs, exhibitions and cultural events. There are occasional weekend markets usually on Saturday.
There’s a prison under the Butter hall which can be visited. The prison comprises of three sections, the first is a big room enclosed by iron bars and reserved for petty crimes, the second consists of barred wooden cages in which prisoners could not stand inside, the third is a deep dark pit which recalls the inhumanity of the Middle Ages. You can still see the rings, graffiti, initials on the walls.
Church of St Peter and St Paul (Eglise Saint Pierre et Saint Paul)
Built in 16th century, dedicated to apostles Peter and Paul.
Half timbered and wattle and daub houses
These half timbered houses show double influences of Picardy and Normandy. Typical Normandy house has visible timber framework, whereas for a typical Picard house, only vertical and horizontal framework is visible, with the spaces filled with large areas of daub and wattle (sticky material usually made of some combination of wet soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw).
Some violent fires in the 17th century destroyed most of the ancient 16th century buildings. The only ones to survive till today are on Rue du Bailliage, and Rue des Tanneurs.
War Memorial (Monument aux Morts)
War memorial to commemorate the residents of Aumale who gave their lives in the First and Second World War, and the war in Algeria.
La Bresle river
What to eat
There’s probably only two boulangeries (bakeries) in Aumale. I prefer Au Panier Gourmand Sarl.
There’s not a lot of restaurants around, but I tried Crepes & Caux. Ordered a set menu which consists of a savoury (galette) and a sweet (crepe). They weren’t the best I had, but it was still pretty good.
Galette w tomatoes, mozzarella and basil 
Salted caramel crepe 
Crepes & Caux
There’s another pizzeria, La Mama, that Walid frequents which serves decent pizza with vegetarian options.
Le Treport
Aumale is a really small town. You really don’t need to stay overnight, if you have no reasons too. It is nice pit stop if you are driving by, otherwise I recommend to check out Le Treport, which is about an hour drive from Aumale.
Le Treport is situated at the mouth of La Bresle river, where it meets the English channel. The seaside town is backed against 110m high chalk cliffs, and fronted with a gorgeous sea view.
There are plenty of food options along the seaside, most serve seafood the likes of moules (mussels) and local catches.
Jermpins | Eat. Play. Travel. 
I love the sound of how small the Aumale community and that it can easily be explored on foot. How eerie having a prison right underneath the local Butter Hall! The old buildings are gorgeous, it’s a shame only two has survived since the Middle Ages.
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I love visiting small towns in France. No one speaks English ! So I had no choice but to practise my broken French ! =p
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You went to Le Treport!!!!! Wow! I now know another blogger to visit this sleepy fishing town. 😀 However I went there because the town has used in the hit French television crime drama, les Tremons (I will publish my blog on this very shortly on my site), and I spent the whole day checking out all the filming locations. Also spent two hours in a restaurant checking out the mussels and other local fishes. Very happy indeed afterwards.
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Wah I didn’t spend as much time as you did but we had a nice stroll along the harbour and ended the evening with 2 pots of mussels ! It is a very beautiful seaside town indeed ! =)
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Although I’ve spent a lot of time in Normandie, I haven’t visited (or even heard of Aumale). It seems like the quintessential Normandy town, and I do love moules frites! Yum!
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I wouldn’t have made the trip if it is not for my partner’s work assignment there hehe
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You made me hungry in this food selection! Lol, I love mussels it’s my favorite growing up! Pictures are fantastic, Jeremy as always. Thanks for the tips hope we can kick our butt in two years and visit Europe.
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Aumale and Le Treport look incredibly charming! Although I’ve visited France several times I didn’t venture much out of Paris. Great suggestions!
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Thank you for choosing an off-beaten destination. I didn’t hear of it before and your guide was very useful to learn about this little town
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Thanks 😊 maybe you can visit them when you are in France !
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I had not heard about Aumale and Le Treport before. Look like very lovely small towns. It is nice to read that there is more to France than Paris and French Riviera.
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I love discovering the many other gems of France besides Paris and the French Riviera ! Mont Saint Michel is one of my favourites ! =)
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The mussels look delicious! I’m adding this one to the list for when we become permanent residents of France! 😀
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Wow ! Congrats on getting your PR soon ! =)
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I love visiting small places like Aumale (and Le Treport looks awesome too!) It’s pretty cool that you had an excuse to explore the area.
It is a bit of a shame your crepes were not super amazing, I feel like you expect tasty food when in France!
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Well there’s always ups and downs ! But, the chocolates almost never disappoint ! =p
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You’re right. I had not heard of Aumale before! But now I have and have pinned it to the ever growing list of places I still need to see in France.
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Do you have Mont Saint Michel on your list ? =p
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Le Treport looks lovely and I am keen to see the white cliffs. How lucky that you got to discover it. Sometimes work trips are good!
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Yea Le Treport was a nice surprise find =)
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Both towns look really cute and great stopovers when driving around France. I would love to see Aumale and Le Treport. I will make a note of these for future trips, especially since they are not too far from Paris.
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We are French and never heard of Aumale! But there are so many villages like that in France, so many to explore and appreciate. I really like these timbered houses, also very similar in the east regions of France. Makes for lovely strolls in the city! And the food in Normandy is so yummy, the butter of course but also cheese, and drinks like Calvados!
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Alot of Frenchs have not heard of it ! Well I guess there’s just so much petite villages one can know. I recently learned of the list of Les plus beaux villages de France ! I must check them out !!
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I used to study in France and am definitely a little embarrassed to say I haven’t heard of either of these two gorgeous little village/town. There’s always something about a seaside town that really speaks to me tho so I’ll definitely be planning a trip to Le Treport. I love that they have restaurants along the seaside too! I’m a huge sucker for dining with a view.
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I love visiting hidden gems like this. I’ve never been to France and have not heard of this area. Being able to walk the entire town on foot is awesome. I would be curious to check out the prison underneath the Butter hall.
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You’re right I’ve never heard of Aumale but it is a charming little village. Not sure there is enough for me to go just for it, but definitely would consider a pit stop if going by it anyway. I do love the colorful buildings though…I’m highly attracted to them (which Europe is full of) for photography!
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Just love small French towns and trying to get a sense of their history. Those moules.. I love a huge pot of moules marinières and trying to eat them just like the French do!
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Do you use the shells like a tong too ? =p
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