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Fecamp

Visit Fecamp, Normandy

Fecamp is a coastal town in the Seine-Maritime department of Upper Normandy.

Fecamp, like nearby Etretat, is well placed for exploring the dramatic cliffs and rock formations of the cote d'alabatre (the alabaster coast). The town developed around fishing and herring fishing in particular has been carried out here since the Middle Ages.

Fishing continues to be an important activity for Fécamp into the 21st century, and this is part of the attraction of the town, which is not give over to tourism like many towns along the coast - although tourism now plays an increasingly important role in the local economy.

Another important claim to fame of the town is its Benedictine liqueur - still brewed in Fécamp, you should find an opportunity to visit the distillery (see museums below) and sample it if possible.

Exploring Fecamp

Principal monuments in the town include the Abbatiale Church of Saint-Trinity, the Church of Saint-Etienne and the ruins of the Palace of the Dukes of Normandy.

The Saint-Trinity Abbatial church, the most important historical monument in Fecamp, dates in part from the 12th century (during which century the original construction was severely damaged by fire, then reconstructed after 1168). The building is clearly distinguished by its attractive 14th century lantern tower. The interior of the abbey church was much embellished during the renaissance period (16th century) and contains some very attractive paintings and decorative elements around the altar area. In the transepts (side arms) of the abbey you can see further important works of art, and the 17th century astronomical clock.

The Church of Saint-Etienne (16th-19th century) is most noted for the elaborate carvings around the main entrance.

Also within the town, keep an eye out for the townhouses built around the end of the 19th century, such as the art-nouveau style Villa Emilie and typical of those found along this part of the Normandy coast.

The promenade around the port and along the seafront is also a pleasant way to pass the time.

Fecamp museums

Two museums in Fecamp are of particular interest. The Museum of the Benedictine Palace is a museum dedicated to Benedictine liqueur and has an eclectic collection of other objects, and is set in a very ornate palace which was built in the 19th century, using a wide range of architectural styles (mostly neo-gothic and neo-renaissance) using stone and brick, and has an especially ornate roof more reminiscent of a Loire chateau.

The Museum of Fishing and Newfoundland looks at the long tradition of fishing based from the port in Fecamp, from viking times to the present.

Tourist classifications for Fecamp: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Listed town of Art and History;

Suggested places to visit near Fecamp, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Caudebec-en-Caux 36km; Le Havre 36km; Honfleur 39km; Villerville 44km; Pont-Audemer 46km; Jumieges Abbey 48km; Trouville 48km; Deauville 49km; Dieppe 53km; Villers-sur-Mer 56km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Fecamp

Fecamp tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Cote d'Alabatre - site of natural beauty (1km) : Falaises d'Etretat - site of natural beauty (14km) : Jardin d'art et d'essais - remarkable garden (17km) : Autretot - ville fleurie 4* (28km) : Parc de Galleville - remarkable garden (29km) : Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon - ville fleurie 4* (33km) : Bois des Moutiers - remarkable garden (47km) : Abbaye de Jumièges (Jumieges) - religious monument (48km) :