April 22 – Étratat and its Gardens

Besides its cliffs, Étratat is known for the gardens that are at the top of the cliffs.  We had no interest in climbing the path so we tried to drive up, with no success.  After poking around on the internet we finally found mention that the only way to get there is to hike up the hill or take the little tram, which leaves from the plaza next to our building.  So we parked the car and took the next tram available. 

The views from the top were great.  The cliffs,

the Chapel of Our Lady of the Guards,

and a huge art piece called The White Bird, by Nungesser and Coli.

But the main event at the top were the Gardens of Étratat.  This garden was very, very different from the profusion of colors of Monet’s garden.  The garden was the project of an early twentieth century actress, Madam Thebault, who was a friend of Monet.  And Monet painted up here as well. 

This garden is mostly green with carefully trimmed yews and boxwoods predominating.  There were many paths climbing up and down the hillside. 

Some paths led through the arches. 

The garden is primarily a series of topiary gardens with art pieces placed everywhere.  

Some of the topiaries look like terraces…

and others are shaped like waves,

And there are wonderful benches carved from massive tree trunks.

In one area there were many huge rhododendrons in bloom.

And we saw some purple Lady Slippers. 

Don’t know what this bush is but it is lovely.

Some of the art we saw in our wanderings (we leave it to the reader to research the piece for their esoteric and surreal meanings).

Crash V by Samuel Salcedo

The Rain by Bilyk Nazar (That's one huge glob of glass on the face, to simulate rain)

Until the Word is Gone by Katran (this one had recorded sounds and dialog going as well)

Sowing Hearts by Gorshenina

Bird Razzle by Bouzoubaa-Grivel (there were several red and white banners around the gardens similar to this one)

Drops of Rain by Samuel Salcedo

Summer by Tadevosyan

There were also these interesting flower-shaped topiaries.

The views from the garden down to the town and cliffs were pretty breathtaking. 

We spent about two hours in the garden and then took the tram back down to town.

*************************************
More Gardens of Etretat 
*************************************

We had lunch in a restaurant in this ancient building.  Talk about time travel.

The rest of the day was spent working and then taking a walk again before dinner.  

We ended at the beach for more photos. 

A great visit in Étratat.