Hello everyone, I’m visiting St Valery this week as that’s where my grandfather was captured by the Germans in 1940. I know about the cliff top monument and the cemetery, I’ve also booked a time to get entry to the ‘Scottish room’ in the town hall, but can anyone please recommend anywhere/anything else that I should make an effort to see? I’ll have a hire car with me so I can travel to the surrounding areas. Many thanks in advance for any replies.
Where to start...? The 'Maison Henry IV' should most definitely also be mentioned on your bucket-list! Maison Henri IV – Ville de Saint Valery en Caux It is the perfect place to start as it places the battle of Saint-Valery-en-Caux in 1940 into a broader (historical) perspective. You should also allocate yourself some time to wander around in the harbour as to 'impregnate' yourself with the surroundings. Bear in mind that the side where the 'Maison Henry IV' is located is still very much as it was in June 1940. The other side of the harbour, however, was laid waste during the combats. Reward yourself and enjoy some of the nice (reasonably priced) seafood restaurants on the quays. You shall, no doubt, as most British tourists do, visit the monument at the top of the eastern cliffs and enjoy the splendid view. However, most visitors omit to visit the western cliffs. The scenery is even more beautiful. If you go on foot, you'll first see the monuments that commemorate the French casualties. If you continue all the way to the top, you'll eventually arrive at the fields near Saint-Lèger, form where the Germans shelled the town. Since you have the benefit of a car, you should most certainly visit Veules-les-Roses and Veulettes-sur-Mer. Both towns have their own specific charms. Bear in mind though, that during the high-season, Veules-les-Roses is overrun by Parisians... If you seek something out of the ordinary though, push forward to Sotteville-sur-Mer, leave you car in the village and take a walk toward the coast. There is a stairway there that allows to go down the cliffs to the pebble beach. Practical information on Sotteville-sur-Mer - Tourisme Côte d'Albâtre If you like to taking the scenic routes, drive around the area around Blosseville. Keep in mind though some local roads can be quite narrow. Finally, if you have the time, I would also recommend Les Petites Dalles. Apart from the incredible beauty of the place, it is also there that Rommel's 7th Panzer Division reached the sea (trapping all Allied troops in the process). If you want to know what happened at these locations during June 1940, just visit the forum's dedicated Saint-Valery-en-Caux thread where you will find a lot of information, photos and maps. Perhaps you should also try to contact Hervé (Savary), our resident expert on the forum. Enjoy your trip! Christian
Thank you so much for that reply Christian, sincerely. I’m now in St Valery and just had some breakfast, it’s time to do some searching. Thank you very much again.
Regarding my Sotteville-sur-Mer suggestion: please be advised that the local council restricted access to the stairway to the pebble beach due to dangerous rock slides. It would appear that several hundreds of m3 of cliffs came crushing down. I don't really know how this situation has developed nor if the stairway is now accessible again. You'd be well advised to check with the tourist board before planning your visit. Some local webcam links for forum members Veules-les-Roses Veulettes-sur-Mer Saint-Valery-en-Caux (harbour) Saint-Valery-en-Caux (Maison Henry IV and quays)