Jardins d’Etretat

During my trip to Normandy, I spent an afternoon at Jardins d’Etretat ( and I even came back the next day), a contemporary garden set high on the cliffs with a sweeping view of the sea and the famous white arches. The combination of dramatic nature and carefully designed art made it feel unlike any other garden I’ve visited.

The most memorable part for me were the faces. Throughout the garden, you find sculpted heads with exaggerated expressions….laughing, shouting, whispering, even singing. Some are tucked between hedges, others stand openly on the grass, and together they give the space a surreal, slightly playful atmosphere. They were created by the Spanish artist Samuel Salcedo, and while at first they almost feel humorous, there’s also something very human about them. You can’t help but stop and look closely, wondering what each face is trying to express.

Walking among them, I found myself reflecting on how many emotions we carry every day, and how rarely we actually show them. They reminded me that there’s strength in expression, in being seen as we are…whether joyful, vulnerable, or somewhere in between.

Of course, the views themselves are breathtaking. The clipped, almost sculptural hedges frame the horizon in unexpected ways, and from every turn there’s a new perspective of the cliffs and the sea. But what I appreciated most was how the garden made me slow down. It’s not a place you rush through. You wander, pause, notice details.

If you’re ever in Normandy, I would definitely recommend visiting. It’s not just about the beautiful landscaping or the dramatic views… it’s about the way art, nature, and emotion come together. Jardins d’Etretat leaves you with more than just pretty pictures; it definitely leaves you with a feeling.... With Love, Sofie