Seine-Maritime: Chalk Cliffs, Nature and Culture

The chalk cliffs of Étretat form great arches and a distinctive rock needle—a striking introduction to a trip through Seine-Maritime. The coastline stretches for 130 kilometers, linking Étretat, Fécamp, Dieppe and Le Tréport. When choosing your base, consider whether you mainly want to discover coastal landscapes, nature experiences, architecture or regional specialties. This will help you focus your hotel search on the themes you want to shape your trip.

Chalk Coast, Wetlands and Trails

The landscape offers different perspectives away from the coast, too. Marais Vernier is a 4,500-hectare wetland and peatland area at the mouth of the Seine. Guided and themed visits exploring the area and its wildlife are offered in the protected area. If you prefer to explore nature on foot, Seine-Maritime has more than 155 kilometers of marked trails through cliffs, forests and valleys. There are also more than 600 kilometers of cycling paths and 1,000 kilometers of cycling routes. For hiking, there are more than 155 kilometers of marked trails through cliffs, forests and valleys. Cyclists can choose from more than 600 kilometers of cycling paths and 1,000 kilometers of cycling routes.

At the wildlife park in Roumare State Forest, you can observe deer, wild boar and other woodland animals in their natural surroundings. The observation park covers 26 hectares. Four viewing points are located around the deer enclosure, and picnic tables are set along the route. The path is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers; as information about facilities may change, it is advisable to check visitor information in advance. Another option is the Balade branchée en forêt de Roumare: this interactive forest experience has 16 stations and is free of charge. Choose between a three-kilometer loop around the wildlife park and a four-kilometer loop farther into the forest. Comparing the distances can help with time planning, but does not indicate the level of difficulty.

Architecture and Regional Traditions

In Le Havre, the postwar reconstruction has been recognized by UNESCO as an outstanding example of urban planning and architecture. Abbaye de Jumièges offers a different perspective on architectural history: it is one of the oldest and most important Benedictine abbeys in Normandy. The site stands in a 15-hectare enclosed park, classified since 1947. If you are interested in regional everyday history, the Parc naturel régional des Boucles de la Seine Normande has an ethnographic collection of 12,000 objects, classified as a Musée de France.

The Écomusée Pays de Caux – Traditions du Lin is devoted to flax. Its offerings include a permanent exhibition, a family area about retting flax, an educational farm and a nature trail. The activities focus on different aspects, from processing a regional crop to spending time outdoors. You can include cultural visits and nature experiences in your travel plans according to your interests.

Orchards and Specialties

The 62-kilometer Route des Fruits passes through orchards, traditional settlements and areas with historic architecture. It can be traveled by car, bicycle or on foot. Along the route, fruit growers sell their produce directly from the farm or in their own shops. The Seine ferries along the route are free and accessible to light vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians; check current sailing times before setting off. A regional culinary specialty is Neufchâtel AOP: a soft cow’s-milk cheese with a white bloomy rind, most famously shaped like a heart. Its production area covers 133 municipalities in Seine-Maritime and one municipality in the Oise département.

Activities on the Water and Beyond

Base de loisirs de Jumièges – Le Mesnil combines activities on land, in the air and on the water. These include climbing courses, mini golf, pedal go-karts, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and pedal boats. Activities may vary by season. You can reach Base de loisirs de Jumièges – Le Mesnil on public transport line 530 and the daily shuttles from Rouen. As transport services and routes may change, check the connection before planning your trip. Whether you prefer a longer bike ride, a visit to historic buildings or time by the water, the different themes can help you choose the right focus for your stay in Seine-Maritime.

Discover more destinations: Roncherolles-en-Bray, Fallencourt, Ancretteville-sur-Mer, Bihorel, Malaunay, Auffay, Bracquetuit, Saint-Martin-l'Hortier, Les Trois-Pierres, La Remuée, Mesnières-en-Bray, Cany-Barville, Incheville, Saint-Nicolas-d'Aliermont, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bliquetuit, Auzouville-sur-Saâne, Louvetot, Bolleville, Gonneville-Sur-Scie, Veauville-Lès-Quelles, Saâne-Saint-Just, Tourville-la-Rivière, Saint-Eustache-la-Forêt, Fontaine-le-Bourg, Estouteville-Écalles, Muchedent, Theuville-aux-Maillots, Sierville, Grainville-la-Teinturière, Calleville-les-Deux-Églises, Darnétal, Sainneville, La Neuville-Chant-d'Oisel, Déville-lès-Rouen, Boos, Nolléval, Martainville-Épreville, Saint-Léger-du-Bourg-Denis, Bennetot, Boissay, Saint-Pierre-en-Val, Orival, Vittefleur, Beaubec-La-Rosière, Houdetot, Lamberville, Morgny-La-Pommeraye, Luneray, Ry, Sausseuzemare-en-Caux, Mauquenchy, Martin-Église, Criel-Sur-Mer, Arques-La-Bataille, Saint-Maclou-La-Brière, Le Tilleul, Angiens, Angerville-La-Martel, Limésy, Manehouville, Maniquerville, Marques, Morville-Sur-Andelle, Néville, Guilmécourt, Etretat, Fecamp, Bois-Guillaume, Barentin, Le Petit-Quevilly, Belmesnil, Villainville, Amfreville-La-Mi-Voie, Aumale, Saint-Saëns, Gommerville, Bolbec, Cléon, Tocqueville-En-Caux, Petiville, Crasville-La-Mallet, Paluel, Blangy-Sur-Bresle, Criquetot-L'esneval, La Poterie-Cap-D'antifer, Flamanville, Beauvoir-En-Lyons, Octeville-Sur-Mer, Criquetot-Sur-Ouville, Trouville, Saint-Riquier, Saint-Martin-Du-Vivier, Quiberville, Quiévrecourt, Riville, Saint-Laurent-En-Caux, Saint-Pierre-Bénouville, Saint-Pierre-En-Port, Sassetot-Le-Mauconduit, Senneville-Sur-Fécamp, Grand-Camp, Manneville-ès-Plains, Auquemesnil, Auberville-la-Renault, Grumesnil, La Frénaye, Saint-Laurent-de-Brèvedent, Saint-Martin-du-Bec, La Ferté-Saint-Samson, Thiergeville, Saint-Pierre-Le-Vieux, Tourville-Sur-Arques, Ancourt, Montmain, Buchy, Mont-Saint-Aignan, Montivilliers, Le Tréport, Le Havre, Le Chesnay, Jumièges, Gonfreville-Lʼorcher, Forges-Les-Eaux, Eu, Dieppe, Caudebec-En-Caux, Aubermesnil-Aux-Érables, Derchigny, Les Loges, La Bouille, Criquebeuf-En-Caux, Colleville, Blainville-Crevon, Gournay-En-Bray, Sainte-Beuve-En-Rivière, Montville, Lillebonne, Gruchet-Saint-Siméon, Saint-Jouin-Bruneval, Bacqueville-En-Caux, Saint-Aubin-Le-Cauf, Bertreville-Saint-Ouen, Criquetot-Sur-Longueville, Canteleu, Grigneuseville, Avesnes-en-Bray, Biville-la-Rivière, Autigny, Saint-Étienne-Du-Rouvray, Le Thil-Riberpré, Saint-Jean-Du-Cardonnay, Gruchet-Le-Valasse, Franqueville-Saint-Pierre, Montigny, Tancarville, Épretot, Héricourt-En-Caux, Le Mesnil-Esnard, Saint-Romain-De-Colbosc, Harfleur, Cuy-Saint-Fiacre, Moulineaux, Veules-Les-Roses, Bézancourt, Yvetot, Longueville-Sur-Scie, Angerville-L'orcher, Goderville, Bosc-Le-Hard, Neufchâtel-En-Bray, Saint-Crespin, Val-De-Saâne, Saint-Léonard, Ouville-La-Rivière, Bec-De-Mortagne, Préaux, Wanchy-Capval, Doudeville, La Chapelle-Sur-Dun, Sainte-Hélène-Bondeville, Criquiers, Hautot-Sur-Mer, Eslettes, Sept-Meules, Isneauville, Drosay, Étalondes, Grèges, Saumont-La-Poterie, Bosc-Roger-Sur-Buchy, Ectot-L'auber, Haudricourt, Auppegard, Fauville En Caux, Touffreville-La-Corbeline, Bonsecours, Berneval-Le-Grand, Le Mesnil-Réaume, Le Bocasse, Mannevillette, Yerville, Houquetot, La Haye, Saint-Aubin-Lès-Elbeuf, Normanville, Crasville-La-Rocquefort, Cuverville-Sur-Yères, Montroty, Varneville-Bretteville, Offranville, Mentheville, Yainville, Bouelles, Saint-Germain-Des-Essourts, Bures-En-Bray, Bosville, Avesnes-En-Val, Sainte-Adresse, Saint-Denis-Le-Thiboult, Saint-Aubin-Sur-Scie, Saint-Arnoult, Rouen, Notre-Dame-De-Gravenchon, Boudeville, Saint-Clair-sur-les-Monts, Hugleville-en-Caux, La Crique, Turretot, Auberville-La-Campagne, Aubermesnil-Beaumais, Saint-Wandrille-Rançon, Ingouville, La Vaupalière, Bardouville, Tourville-La-Chapelle, Contremoulins, Daubeuf-Serville, Saint-Antoine-La-Forêt, Duclair, Fontaine-Le-Dun, Rosay, Saint-Martin-Aux-Buneaux, Londinières, Rieux, Torcy-Le-Grand, Fontenay, Sommery, Le Mesnil-Sous-Jumièges, Bernières, Sotteville-Sur-Mer, Thérouldeville, Tôtes, Vattetot-Sur-Mer, Yport, Longueil, La Caule Sainte-Beuve, Fresne-Le-Plan, Beauval-En-Caux, Varengeville-Sur-Mer, Sainte-Marguerite-Sur-Mer, Mailleraye Sur Seine, Notre-Dame-De-Bliquetuit, Écrainville, Sainte-Marie-Au-Bosc, Bordeaux-Saint-Clair, Saint-Aubin-Sur-Mer, Ganzeville, Veulettes-Sur-Mer, Bailleul-Neuville, Bretteville-Du-Grand-Caux, Clères, Criquetot-Le-Mauconduit, Épreville, Sotteville-Lès-Rouen, Saint-Valéry-En-Caux, Vatteville-la-Rue, Valliquerville, Tourville-les-Ifs, Sainte-Geneviève, Petit-Couronne, Maucomble, La Feuillie, Le Bourg-Dun, Autretot, Saint-Pierre-Lavis.

For the broader travel overview: Normandy.