Following the Normandy coast northwards, we arrive at Etretat, a seaside resort, famous for its towering chalk cliffs and elephantine natural arch, frequently painted by Monet and other impressionist artists. Across the small bay and offering a dramatic view of the cliffs, town and beach below, we discover the highly original Jardins d’Etretat, opened to the public in 2017 to critical acclaim. Contemporary sculpture, sound installations and swirling topiary reflecting the natural landscape beyond the gardens are the work of Russian-born landscape artist, Alexander Grivko. After a picnic lunch we continue to Château de Boutemont. When Achille Duchêne was asked to design these gardens at the beginning of the twentieth century, he was opposed to the still fashionable (in France) English Landscape style and thus returned to a more formal French garden style that has been embellished with love and care by the current owners