Located along the stretch of coast where the River Seine meets the English Channel, the departement of Seine-Maritime in Upper Normandy has always been popular with nature and wildlife lovers, thanks to its spectacular coastline and high alabaster cliffs. There are plenty of attractions inland too, including a different perspective on France's unspoilt natural scenery, the historic town of Rouen and a spectacular example of modern engineering.
Heading from west to east along the Seine-Maritime coast, you first come to the town of Le Havre, one of the many ferry ports in the north of France. Little of historic interest remains in this town, which was heavily bombed during the war, but the modern layout and unusual buildings that make up the new city centre have been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Carrying on west you come to a stretch of land known as the Alabaster Coast, famous for its high white cliffs, great walking routes and impressive sea views. The pebble beaches in this area are more popular with hikers than swimmers, even in the summer months, though there are a few resorts in this area, such as Etretat and Fecamp. On the eastern end of the Seine-Maritime coast is another of the ferry ports, and historic town, of Dieppe. Thought to be one of the oldest seaside resorts in France, the old town survived the Second World War intact, and there are many picturesque walks to be had around the centre as well as the surrounding coastline. Make a visit to the town's museum which details its history as a port, holiday destination and important maritime trading centre.
Rouen is the main town of the Seine-Maritime area and one of the most historically important cities in northern France. Rightly nicknamed the “city of a hundred spires” the old town is a wealth of Gothic architecture, with chapels and churches seemingly on every corner. The Damiette and Saint-Martin streets offer some of the best examples of the typical half-timbered houses, while the Vieux-Marche square in the very centre is where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Should you need to escape from the weather, which can be as unpredictable as Britain in this part of France, Rouen is also home to an excellent fine arts museum.
Head back to the Seine from Rouen and travel a few miles upstream to take a look at the Normandy bridge, a new addition to the region's tourist attractions but an impressive one. Connecting Seine-Maritime to the departement of Calvados across the Seine, the suspension bridge is over 2,100 metres long.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Seine-Maritime? Then below is a selection of gites in Seine-Maritime and villas in Seine-Maritime that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
