Étretat, par-delà les falaises

During the 19th century, a peaceful fishing village on the Normandy coast was transformed into a legend: Étretat. Discovered by Romantic painters, this spectacular site captivated artists from all over Europe with its vertiginous cliffs sculpted by the sea, its ever-changing play of light, and its resort atmosphere far removed from the hustle and bustle of Paris.

In this magnificent natural setting, painters and writers devoted themselves to the study of landscape. Gustave Courbet captured the tumult of the waves in powerful canvases, while Claude Monet, captivated by the variations in light, conceived entire series around a single motif for the first time, initiating a revolution in perception and representation.

This book retraces the vibrant history of Étretat as a cradle of artistic modernity. Its still-pristine nature and creative energy nourished painters and photographers in their quest for light.

Even today, the works born on this shore continue to inspire wonder and nostalgia for a coastline now under threat.