Etretat

Etretat is a commune in Seine-Maritime. Etretat is best known for its cliffs, including a famous natural arch. These cliffs and the associated resort beach attracted artists including EugËne Boudin, Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet.

History

Until the beginning of the XIXth century, Etretat was only a hamlet for fishing men, but in the beginning of the XXth century painters and songwriters discovered this quite little town and got inspired by it. Painters like Isabey, Bonington, Le Poittevin, Jongkind, Mozin, Stanfield were the reason people gained interested in Etretat.
As a consequence, the higher class found her way to this town and built beautiful villas from the second part of the XIXth century.

What to see ?

The most remarkable rock formations are ìLa porte díAvalî, ìTrou ý líHommeî and ìLí Aiguilleî.

The chapel of Notre Dame de la Garde. Built in 1854 by the Mission of Rev. Father Michel, a Jesuit at Rouen, and by the residents of Etretat in homage to sailors. Destroyed in World War I, it was rebuilt in 1950

The church of Notre Dame. The Etretat church was classified as a historic monument between 1850 and 1860. The building has two distinct parts, one in Romanesque style, the other Gothic. It is believed that the primitive, Romanesque church was erected toward the beginning of the 11 th century. Around the middle of the 12 th, it appears that Etretat - as was the case elsewhere - wanted to replace the ancient edifice with Gothic church, which would be vaster and more in line with the architectural tastes of the times. Probably the Gothic church as left unfinished due to lack of funds, and maybe also because of the war that raged in Normandy during the early years of the 12 th century.

Nungesser and Coli museum. Described here are the childhood and studies of aviators Nungesser and Coli, World War I, and their attempt to cross the northern Atlantic aboard the White Bird. They were seen for the last time on May 8, 1927, over Etretat.

The old covered market. In 1926, the town of Etretat decided to build the Covered Market. The materials came from the town of Brionne (Eure) and the hall was built by the Compagnons de la Manche. In 1946, a commemorative plaque was erected on the faÁade. It recalls that in Etretat there is a British, then American Hospital during World War I. Today, the hall houses the crafts shops.

A golf club was created on the south slope of the villages in 1906. It has a gorgeous view over the sea and landscape.

You can also visit Maurice Leblanc's house, the father of the famous thief, ArsËne Lupin and the balneal villas.

LINK : Ýhttp://www.etretat.net/english.htm