Cap Fagnet near Fécamp (Normandy) – visit tips + photos

Why visit Cap Fagnet near Fécamp?

Below is a short video to give you an idea of what your visit could look like.

Planning Tips - Cap Fagnet, Normandy

Chapel Notre Dame du Salut

The legend says that:

Robert the Magnificent, Duke of Normandy (1027 - 1035) was saved from a shipwreck. He vowed to build 3 chapels: La Délivrande (The Deliverer) in the town of Caen, Notre Dame de Grâce (Our Lady of Grace) in Honfleur  and Notre Dame du Salut (Our Lady of Salvation) in the town of Fécamp.
After it was built, this one in Fécamp became a rich priory. You can still see part of the outer wall.

The more recent history follows:

During the 16th century, the chapel was partially and gradually destroyed by the wars of religion. The roof of the nave disappeared and then, the vaulting was going to collapse.
It was saved, not as a religious building, but as a useful recognition point for sailors as it was standing on a cape.

As you walk around the cape, pay attention to sounds. You may hear 3 hoots of horn coming from a boat. It is the crew asking Our Lady to grant them "good wind and a fair sea".

WWII Bunkers - Blockhaus of Cape Fagnet

About the German occupation

Fécamp was occupied but the German troops from June 1940 to September 1944.
Fearing an invasion, Hitler had a series of protective buildings built along the coasts (in 1942) known as the Atlantic Wall.
Some of them were built here. They are reinforced with concrete.
Because of the strategic location of this cape and with a port to defend, the Navy built a complex including:

• a lookout post with gunfire direction finder
• a Mammut bunker
• a light shelter
• several Tobruk posts

The "Mammut" Bunker

This is a special bunker. It was built to include a Mammut Radar antenna, used for long distance detection.
It was going to be installed on a bunker type V143. However, in 1944, the installation was not finished.
But you can still see the bunker with its 3 blocks of concrete above which were where the radar antenna was supposed to ne positionned (a very large antenna, you can see a drawing on the explanation board on site).

Other radars were supposed to be installed around the Mammut one. For example, the bunker below was for a Freya Radar.

There are many more pieces of defense to see around the area. I let you explore and discover them (e.g. the Tobruk bunker and their holes). Explanation boards have been installed.

Contact the tourist office for a guided tour of the bunkers' area.

Panorama of Fécamp

From here you can admire the whole town of Fécamp with:

• the large valley cut in the cliffs,
• the harbor with several bays
• the beach made of grey pebbles
• the cliffs on the opposite side
• and the town of Fécamp - if you look closely, you can see the famous Benedictine palace, the abbey and the Pecheries museum

The valley cutting the cliffs in 2 is home to the Valmont River. It is 14km long (8.7mi).

The chalk cliffs in this area are around 100m high. Around Fécamp, like in Etretat, they are mostly white (other colors appear in other areas).
Like most beaches along the Alabaster coast, the beach of Fécamp is made of grey pebbles.

Cliffs of Fécamp - Alabaster Coast

The high cliffs of Fécamp

Next you can walk along the cliffs a little. Part of the walking path can be closed.
Looking North, you can only see a wall of cliffs. This is very impressive.
Always be very careful. Don't walk to the edge of the cliffs!!! They are made of chalk and not extremely stable.
I recommend you bring binoculars to enjoy all the details. See my guide to help you purchase binoculars.

A bird natural reserve

The area is also protected for its abundant bird life (Natura 2000). The cliffs and pasture are great for birds looking for a nesting place.
Depending on the season, you may be able to spot: 

• the Northern Fulmar
• the Great Cormorant
• the Herring Gull
• the Black-legged Kittiwake
• the Great Black-backed Gull

A wind farm

Above the site, you will also notice the wind farm.
The area is very windy all year long. I recommend you bring layers of clothing. You never know what the weather is going to be like.
Below is one of my favorite views. Stunning!

Semaphore and the GR21

Cap Fagnet is located on the GR21 walking path along the Alabaster Coast (179km, for around 9 days).

The final building you can notice on the Cape is the Semaphore. It was first built in 1906 under Napoleon the 1st. It was established for defense to detect any potential threat arriving by sea.
Today it is managed by the Marine National (Navy) and has various surveillance roles such as navigation assistance or regulation of maritime traffic and fishing.

Want to see other highlights in Seine-Maritime? 

• The Unesco town of Le Havre - read article
• The best things to do in Etretat - read article
• The best things to do in Dieppe - read article
• The famous village of Veules-les-Roses and its river - read article
• Or read my complete article about the Alabaster Coast
• Or want to see the best cities and town in Normandy - check out my list

Planning a trip to Normandy? 

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

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