The Alabaster Coast owes its name to the whiteness of the sea and the chalk cliffs, underlined by the contrasting play of light. This magnificent natural setting has served as a source of inspiration for the greatest impressionist painters, but also for writers such as Guy de Maupassant or Maurice Leblanc, the father of the adventures of Arsène Lupin. At the back of the Alabaster Coast, the country plateaus of the Pays de Caux open up, featuring fields of blue linen. Thatched cottages and manor houses add picturesque charm to this authentic escapade.
Dieppe: a port linked to England
The first landmark of the Alabaster Coast coastline is Dieppe, which stretches around the port, the Gothic church of Saint-Jacques and a powerful castle, built of sandstone and flint. The beautiful houses with their elaborate facades recall the vogue for sea bathing from the beginning of the 19th century. After watching the spectacle of the great ferries linking England, enter the ivory museum, which tells the story of the planetary destiny of the local sailors.
The Alabaster Coast is regularly indented with typical valleys, patiently carved out by the coastal rivers. It is here that the traditional fishing ports and seaside resorts, such as Saint-Valery-en-Caux or Veules-les-Roses, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, are nestled.
Fécamp and Yport, facing the sea
It is from the top of Cap Fagnet that you can measure the importance of the port of Fécamp, at the foot of the white cliffs that characterise the Alabaster Coast and offer a spectacular view of the English Channel. The port developed around herring and cod fishing on the remote banks of Newfoundland. This fascinating saga is recounted in the great fisheries museum. A palace and some very beautiful residences also bear witness to the commercial influence of Benedictine liqueur, made from 27 plants and spices and exported all over the world. The Abbey of the Trinity, the church of Saint-Etienne and the remains of the ducal fiefdom complete this rich heritage.
Each of the seaside resorts along the Côte d'Albâtre has its own charm and identity. As in Yport, where you will enjoy sea bathing as much as the imaginative architecture of the villas.
The cliffs of Étretat and their spectacular views
The cliffs of Étretat, the iconic jewel of the Alabaster Coast, rise majestically along the English Channel. These white chalk cliffs, punctuated by layers of black flint, rise up to 90 metres above the sea, while further north, near Le Tréport, some reach nearly 120 metres. The coastline is cut by deep valleys, small valleys carved out by coastal rivers, which allow water and villages to reach the sea.
The unmissable site of Étretat, with its three arches and limestone needle, is to be discovered from the pebble beach, or even more striking, from the top of the cliffs. One does not remain indifferent in front of this superb spectacle shaped by the elements. This spectacular landscape has inspired many artists, particularly Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet, who captured the variations in light on the natural arches and cliffs of Étretat. These cliffs are not only an impressive natural site, they also bear witness to the region's maritime and tourist history, dotted with fishing ports, seaside resorts and 19th-century villas.
After Cap d'Antifer, the Alabaster Coast ends in style at the Cap de la Hève lighthouse, which offers a superb panorama of the beautiful residences of Sainte-Adresse and the city of Le Havre with its harbour basins stretching as far as the eye can see.
For visitors, the coast offers hiking trails that wind along the cliffs, offering breathtaking views of the sea and rock formations, while allowing you to admire the famous arches and needles of Étretat.
Campsites on the Alabaster Coast
There are about thirty campsites on the Alabaster Coast, between Le Tréport and Étretat, allowing you to fully enjoy this succession of white cliffs, fishing ports and typical Norman seaside resorts.
We particularly recommend the following campsites:
- In Le Tréport, close to the border with the Somme, the municipal campsite Les Boucaniers*** welcomes you about 2 km from the sea and the town centre. It is an ideal base for exploring this lively resort and the high cliffs overlooking the English Channel.
- Further west, in Quiberville, between Dieppe and Veules-les-Roses, the Seasonova Le Domaine Saâne et Mer**** campsite is located on the heights of the village, about 750 m from the beach. Nestled in a green setting, it offers a peaceful atmosphere and a beautiful view of the Saâne valley.
- In Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, the Seasonova Etennemare*** campsite offers more than 160 pitches, including around 30 rentals, around its aquatic complex, close to the seafront and the marina.
- Finally, in Saint-Pierre-en-Port, between Fécamp and Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, Huttopia Les Falaises – Normandie*** welcomes you to a preserved natural site, just a few minutes from the majestic cliffs of the Alabaster Coast.
Sports activities on the Alabaster Coast
The Alabaster Coast not only offers breathtaking landscapes, it is also an ideal playground for sports enthusiasts. Between hiking along the cliffs, mountain biking in the valleys and water sports such as sand yachting, paddleboarding and sailing, there is something for everyone. The beaches and harbours are also great for fishing, kayaking and kitesurfing, while the coastal paths are perfect for running and family walks, with spectacular views of the English Channel.