Property Normandy - Seine Maritime in Haute Normandy

Seine Maritime Haute Normandy

The department is located in the Haute-Normandy region and borders the departments of Eure, Oise and Somme and also the English Channel.

History of the Seine Maritime

Geography of Seine Maritime

In general Seine Maritime is fertile and well cultivated and the fisheries are great resources for the inhabitants of the northern seaboard.

There are two types of landscape - the dry chalky plateaux which are under intense arable cultivation, and generally flat. This is a "champaign" landscape characterised by huge fields with very few hedgerows.

In contrast, there are deep valleys forming a network in the plateaux. These are often a surprise to the visitor, as they are not visible from most parts of the plateaux. They form a much more intimate landscape, with woodlands (many of them ancient woodlands) of beech and oak, and small fields and meadows along the streams. This is known as "bocage" landscape. The major example of this is the Pays de Bray, part of which is included in the eastern end of the department.

Main Towns

Rouen

The capital of Haute Normandie and departmental capital for Seine-Maritime, located midway between Paris and Le Havre. Rouen developed where it did because it was the lowest point on the Seine at which they could build a bridge. The town's most prominent symbol is not the bridge, however, it’s the impressive 13th Century Gothic Cathedral of Notre Damn which towers four storeys above the town. The old quarter has a high number of half-timbered houses.

Rouen was captured by the English during the Hundred Year's War and it was here that Joan of Arc was tried and burned at the stake.

Le Havre

France's second most important port and a gateway for ferries to the UK and Ireland. At one time it was a prosperous trading post and home to great luxury liners. The city was obliterated by bombing raids in World War II and re-built between 1946 and 1964. It now has wide, straight central streets (with the sea visible at the end of each), lined with rows of three-storey concrete buildings.

Dieppe

This town has a typical Norman feel to it, from its harbour to its narrow winding streets. An important port going back to the time of the Vikings, who founded it and named it “Djupa” meaning deep, Dieppe expanded and grew prosperous after William the Conquerer overthrew England in 1066. Today, it's an important ferry and fishing port and a pleasant seaside resort. On Saturday it hosts one of the best street markets in northern France, which spreads throughout the town's streets and sells fresh products from all over the country, including fish sold straight from the boats.

It is well-known for a failed landing operation by predominantly Canadian Allied forces during World War II on 19th August 1942.

Attractions in Seine Maritime

Etretat

A pleasure resort on the Cote d’Albatre (Alabaster Coat) which has a pretty seaside location, pleasing architecture and no large port to ruin the views. It has an attractive centre filled with half-timbered buildings and a beach positioned between two magnificent cliffs. The white cliffs are spectacular and unusual rock formations including arches, tunnels and a solitary "needle" out at sea.

Fecamp

Fecamp on the Cote d’Albatre has an attractive seafront promenade and Benedictine monastery. Once it was a popular destination for pilgrims but today the majority of visitors come to try the digestif – Benedictine - that is still made here.

Climate of Seine Maritime

Access to Seine Maritime

Travelling by ferry is the most common choice with routes from Portsmouth to Le Havre and Newhaven to Dieppe.

Haute-Normandie’s ease of access from the UK also makes the ports of Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer in the Nord Pas-De-Calais region viable options, as is the Channel Tunnel.

There are direct flights from the UK to Caen and Le Havre through Skysouth from Shoreham Airport (Brighton). Flights to the Paris airports offer good deals with the option of either car hire or taking the TGV train service.

Gites, Hotels and Tourist Accommodation in Haute Normandy

This increase in tourism, especially since it is fuelled to some degree by the increase in low cost air fares, opens opportunities for those wishing to start or run a business in France.

Many people find converting an old barn or outhouse to a gite enables them to earn a useful supplementary income from those looking for a French gite holiday. Rural gite holidays are increasingly popular and a 'gite to rent' or 'gite louer' could be how you enjoy life without working in the rat race.

House & Property Prices in Seine Maritime

Seine Maritimes proximity to the UK and good ferry links makes this a popular department but cheaper property can be found around the small villages inland.

The area around Rouen is fairly expensive and has had little interest from foreign buyers. Dieppe, meanwhile, offers affordable properties and comes with a good rental market. The easy access from the UK means that Dieppe is popular with English buyers.

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