Henouville

Henouville is a small southwest-facing slope in Normandy, on the D982 between Duclair and Saint-Martin-de-Roscherville. It is a modest site — a low takeoff and essentially one working wind direction — but in a steady southwesterly it gives thermals and ridge soaring without any complication. A wooded crest stands above the launch, and the dry valleys either side are the thing to keep an eye on: being drifted back into them is the classic mistake here. The run in to the landing field crosses the D982, so height management matters more than it usually would at a hill this size, and the landing itself is conditional — the meadows beyond the cultivated field are only usable once they have been cut and when there are no animals grazing. Check the hunting calendar before travelling, because the site closes on Saturdays and Sunday mornings in season.

Launch & conditions

A single southwest-facing takeoff with a wooded crest immediately above it. Keep clear of the dry valleys on either side and do not let yourself be pushed back into them.

Getting there & local rules

On the D982 between Duclair and Saint-Martin-de-Roscherville. Park at the foot of the site in the small car park where the GR2 footpath starts, near the hamlet of La Fontaine.

Local rules & hazards

The site is closed on Saturdays and on Sunday mornings during the hunting season. Landing is allowed in the meadows past the cultivated field beyond the tree line, at the bottom of the slope to the southwest, but only when the grass has been cut and no animals are grazing; the fenced conservation area next door is off limits. The approach crosses the departmental road, so arrive with height in hand.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Henouville, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Henouville with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.