For a weekend, to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Parisians like to treat themselves to a few nature getaways. Among the bucolic getaways less than 100 km from the capital include Gerberoy, Barbizon and Giverny. Further afield, just over 2 hours by car from Paris, are the Jardins d’Étretat. In this green setting, a spectacular getaway awaits you… A perfect nature break for spring for spring!
A splendid bucolic interlude
It’s one of those marvellous walks… Such is the case with Les Jardins d’Étretat, nestled in the hills above the Côte d’Albâtre. At the heart of these neo-futuristic gardens, contemporary art and architecture engage in a poetic dialogue. In this open-air museum, we marvel at the famous Aiguille creuse. In the heart of this sublime Garden of Eden, the contemporary sculptures also seem to blend into the decor of carefully pruned plants.
A garden evoking the beauty of Normandy flora
For the record, it was in the 19th century that French comic actress Madame Thébault, inspired by the paintings of her friend Claude Monet decided to create this magical garden. In 1905, the Jardins d’Étretat were born. Then, in 2017, the garden concept was completely redesigned by renowned landscape architect Alexandre Grivko. In just 2 years, the silver-handed landscape gard ener carves huge compositions of plants, evoking the beauty and abundance of Normandy’s flora. Waves in the English Channel, spirals and whirlpools in the sea, oyster farms, cliffs and arches on the Côte d’Albâtre… the sculptural forms evoke the natural beauty of the ecosystem.
Seven gardens in worlds of the marvellous
At the heart of the Jardins d’Étretat, visitors discover seven worlds. In the Avatar Garden, it’s time for magic and fairy tales. At Jardin Émotions, the underwater world is revealed to visitors. Here, Samuel Salcedo’s sculptures splendidly depict a wide range of human emotions. The Impressions Garden is billed as “the heart” of the Jardins d’Étretat. It offers panoramic views of the English Channel and the cliffs where many a painter once drew his inspiration. In the Jardin d’Aval, it’s time to relax and socialize. An extraordinary green setting that plunges visitors into the world of Alice in Wonderland.
The stroll continues in the Zen Garden, where aesthetes can take a deep breath. A pure space that symbolizes the union of humanity and nature. There’s also Jardin La Manche, with its labyrinthine beauty, and Jardin d’Amont, where the plants seem to merge with the horizon. Seven gardens of unparalleled charm, seven strolls imbued with beauty, conducive to serenity and wonder.
Les Jardins d’Étretat, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm – Avenue Damilaville, 76 790 Étretat
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