Where to visit in France for a Holiday - Seine-Maritime
By TDF. Filed in Travel & Living |
The Seine-Maritime (department number 76) is located in the region of
Haute-Normandie and has an estimated population of 1,245,457
(approximate in 2004). The department was originally known as
Seine-Inférieure (Lower Seine) until 1955 when it changed to its
current name Seine-Maritime (Coastal-Seine) because Inférieure was
regarded as derogatory by the inhabitants of the department.
The capital of the department is the city of Rouen, with the
coastal towns of Dieppe and Le Hâvre also featuring within the
immediate area.
The landscape of the department is typically coastal as you would
expect with historic ruins and Norman castles dotting the landscape.
Along the coastline is stunning cliff scenery and half-timbered
villages.
In addition to the gastronomy offerings you would expect in
Normandy, namely the cider, fish, meat and cheeses other delectable
delights specific of the department include Bénédictine liqueur and
apple sugars from Rouen.
Why you should visit Seine-Maritime for your next holiday in France
If you enjoy sightseeing and places with an interesting historic past
then you need go no further than Seine-Maritime. Teamed with its
magnificent beaches, divine gastronomy and its close proximity to the
UK, this department is a perfect destination for a long holiday or
short break.
The department enjoys a similar climate to the UK but its location
means it is slightly milder year round. As with England, summers are
warm with temperatures in the mid 20C and in the height of the season,
temperatures can reach into the 30’s.
What to see in the Seine-Maritime:
Rouen
Rouen is brimming with monuments, medieval streets and churches.
The city is particularly famed for the Place du Vieux Marché, where
Joan of Arc was martyred. The town’s gothic cathedral was a favourite
of Claude Monet and he famously painted the cathedral’s facade at
almost every moment of the day.
One of these priceless pieces of art is on show today at the Musée des Beaux Arts.
The main routes through the city may be less picturesque but they
do keep traffic away from the prettier, medieval pedestrianised centre.
Places of particular interest include:
The Rue Gros Horloge with its big clock.
St Ouen is in some people’s opinion more impressive than the
cathedral as its interior is often empty leaving the sun to cast
colored images from the stained glass across its flagstone floor.
Place St Marc on Sunday mornings is the setting for the giant flea market with the majority of the shops open until lunchtime.
The Rive Gauche near the Eglise St Sever hosts a bric-a-brac market on Thursday mornings.
Dieppe
The major cross-Channel port is the main feature of this seaside
town but Dieppe has in some ways benefited from the arrival of the
tunnel. The seafront has been given a face-lift and the streets are now
lined with welcoming cafés and restaurants.
The château-musée is situated high on the hill top and boasts
panoramic views across the long pebble beach which is host to an annual
kite festival. Dieppe continues to be a bustling port and a large
Saturday market draws big crowds from the villages around.
Le Havre
Le Hâvre is still a major western ferry port and dominates the
mouth of the Seine. The port is a popular choice for holiday makers who
would rather spend longer on the crossing than the drive.
Places to visit include:
Eglise St Joseph
Musée Malraux (also known as the Musée des Beaux Arts) houses a fine
collection of canvasses by the Impressionists, who painted extensively
in Normandy.
Caudebec-en-Caux and Lillebonne
These lovely towns offer several attractions, some still undiscovered
to a certain degree. These include the abbey at St Wandrille near
Caudebec-en-Caux where the monks sing the Gregorian chant every day,
the surprisingly well preserved Roman amphitheatre in the centre of
Lillebonne, and the gorgeous cheese from Neufchâtel-en-Bray whose
heart-shaped form dates from the Hundred Years’ War.
Etretat
Etretat is located along the Alabaster Coast (Côte d’Albâtre) and is
famous for its chalk cliffs and needles which were popular subjects by
the Impressionists. The town is looking a little weathered but is still
worth visiting for its breath-taking scenery and selection of
restaurants.
Fécamp
The town is known for its infamous Bénédictine liqueur and guided tours
in the palace in the centre of town offers visitors a chance to sample
this tipple. Fishing boats still land their catches at Fécamp,
guaranteeing fresh seafood in the harbour-front restaurants.
Gournay en Bray
A small town, Gournay en Bray has a lovely little romanesque church.
Le Tréport
Le Tréport is located in the north east of the Seine-Maritime and was
popular as a beach resort with Parisians in the late 19th century
thanks to a rail link. Surrounded by white cliffs, the quayside houses
many hotels and restaurants that enjoy views of the fishing boats and
yachts.
Saint Valéry en Caux
St Valéry en Caux is situated west of Dieppe. The towns centre and
marina was entirely rebuilt after WWII and the nearby nuclear power
station has brought prosperity. A little further west of the town,
little rock pools can be found, which are always popular with kiddies
of all ages.
Yvetot
The capital of Pays de Caux, Yvetot, is an important market town
completely rebuilt after WWII. The Wednesday and Saturday markets take
over the central streets and it’s still possible to hear the ancient
dialect Cauchois being spoken. The circular pink church dating from the
1950s may seem an eyesore from outside but the stained glass inside
almost makes up for it.
How to get there
Holiday accommodation in the Seine Maritime is easily accessible.
By Air
Skysouth are the only direct airline and they fly six times a week
direct from Shoreham (ESH) to Caen (CFR). Prices start at around £70
for a single trip.
By Car
Driving would be the common mode of transport to get to the
department as Seine-Maritime is just a quick hop across the channel to
either Le Hâvre or Dieppe, both conveniently located within the
department.
