Normandy is a very popular region for tourists, it is the northern region of France, with elegant villages, majestic cliffs and historical monuments. Among the numerous places of attraction, two of the most famous gems are the Étretat Rock and the castle on the island of Mont Saint-Michel. These places amaze with their beauty, history and unique charm, inspiring travelers to take on exciting adventures

Étretat : the beauty of snow-white cliffs

Étretat is a picturesque coastline of Normandy, known for its spectacular snow-white crystal cliffs and majestic mountain formations. This place is extremely popular among artists and photographers looking for the perfect shot for their creations. You've definitely seen picnic photos from this place.

Getting there

It depends on where you're coming from. There are different options, you can rent a car, take a train or a bus. Parking near the waterfront is almost always full, and you'll have to make a few laps to catch a free spot. The cost of parking includes 5 hours.

There are 2 points to visit: the rock itself, which can be climbed on foot, and the garden, which is protected by UNESCO and is called Jardins d'Étretat, it is in the opposite direction.

The rock of incredible beauty has several levels and observation decks, even benches to sit on, and you will definitely want to rest longer after a long climb, so bring a blanket or cover, drinks and snacks. It will be an unforgettable picnic: you are on the highest point of the cliff, you can see the city in front of you and the endless expanse of the ocean, there are only seagulls and maybe a hundred of the lucky ones like you. If you are going to go up there with children, it is better to choose a sling-carrier option because it is very difficult to climb with a baby carriage along the paths and stones. There is another rock on top that can be reached via a bridge, an option for thrill-seekers.

This attraction is absolutely free, but you will have absolutely unforgettable impressions that you will get during the climb to Étretat and the same interesting descent because you will have to go down a slightly different path, from which you will see everything from a different angle. The architecture of the town around is fascinating, a very beautiful city with many interesting things to see at every step.

Then, after descending from Étretat, you can walk to another rock across the waterfront, it's more difficult to walk because of the large number of steps and a rather steep climb, so you will climb high up the mountain to the observation deck with an amazing view of the Étretat rock, there are binoculars from which you can see everything, the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde and the famous neo-futuristic Étretat gardens, created in 1903 under the influence of Claude Monet's works.

The entrance is paid, the ticket price is 12 euros. Near the entrance to the museum, once an hour there is a transport in the form of a miniature children's train that will take you down to the Étretat waterfront if you are already tired and do not agree to go down on foot.

Near the waterfront, there are a lot of nice shops with a local favorite drink — apple cider. I recommend buying it as a gift or as a souvenir from this place. There are also plenty of local cafes and restaurants with great ocean views where you can warm up and enjoy the freshest seafood.

Mont Saint-Michel: an indomitable symbol of devotion and tranquility

A 3-hour drive from Étretat, along the meadows grazed by hundreds of sheep, is an amazing city on a small island in the middle of the ocean. Mont Saint-Michel is a historic city and architectural wonder that amazes and attracts pilgrims, travelers and tourists from all over the world.

The peculiarity of the city is that twice a lunar day (after 24 hours and 50 minutes) the tides in the bay are the largest on the coast of Europe and the second largest (after the Bay of Fundy) on the entire globe. At the autumn and spring equinoxes, on the second or third day after the new or full moon, the water stays high for 8 hours in winter and 9 hours in summer. Thus, the water can move away from the island of Saint-Michel for 18 km and spread 20 km inland. The island is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, which was built in 1880.

During the French Revolution, this island became a prison, access to which was complicated by frequent and unpredictable tides. In modern times, tourists visit the site to explore the abbey, pray, enjoy a meal in the excellent restaurants, and enjoy the spectacular evening lighting. You can reach the abbey by bus, which leaves from the huge parking lot every 15 minutes.

Abbey of Mont Saint Michel, founded in the VIII century, the abbey church is at the top, its architectural details and interior decorations, mesmerizing with its beauty and spiritual atmosphere.

The place looks cinematic, as if you are on the set of a Harry Potter movie. Everything looks exactly like it did in the Middle Ages, because not much has changed since then. A picturesque, authentic place where you want to look at every corner.

There are more than a thousand steps, so it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and it can get hot while climbing, consider this when choosing clothes, hats and glasses will not hurt. The views around are fantastic. Charge your gadgets to keep these views of Mont Saint Michel Abbey as a memory.

You will pass by a lot of souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels where you can stay overnight, getting an unforgettable experience. There are a lot of church buildings, all of them decorated with stained glass windows and old candlelit chandeliers. There are chairs and old benches to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere or pray.

It will be very difficult to climb with small children because of the incredible number of ancient steps. This is not warned in the guidebooks. Therefore, it may be better to leave the stroller in the car in the parking lot, as you will have to carry it and the child in your arms for a significant amount of the way up and down.

The streets are very narrow, the flow of tourists is huge because this place is really special and definitely worth a visit. I advise you to watch a documentary about this city, its history, secrets, church and monastery during the reign of Louis XI and the Hundred Years' War before you go.

At the entrance through the giant arch, you will see the French post office — La Poste, where you can buy postcards with the image of the abbey and send them home or to someone close to you as a souvenir from your trip.

So discover the beauty and tranquility of majestic Normandy. Étretat with its gardens and Mont Saint-Michel Abbey are places that leave an unforgettable impression in the heart of every traveler who loves active tourism. The majestic cliffs, ancient abbeys and picturesque landscapes energize and inspire.

A trip to Normandy is a journey into the world of history, art and gastronomy that will remain in your memory forever.