Criquebeuf-en-Caux can be understood through its coastal paths, the surrounding landscape, and a specific story from everyday fishing life. The coastal village is surrounded by plains and cultivated fields. The GR 21 long-distance footpath and the Sentier des ramendeuses pass through the village; another circular route includes Criquebeuf-en-Caux in its itinerary. The Church of Saint Martin adds architectural history and the historical maritime function of its bell tower to these themes. When choosing accommodation for a stay, you can consider whether hiking trails, the landscape, or local history should be your main focus.
Paths Through Criquebeuf-en-Caux
The GR 21 long-distance footpath passes through Criquebeuf-en-Caux and is marked with red and white blazes. Markings and diversions may change, so check the route before setting out. The Sentier des ramendeuses also passes through the village. The circular route “Sur les pas des ramendeuses,” Circuit No. 16, runs from Saint-Léonard through Criquebeuf-en-Caux and Yport to Fécamp. It is 14 kilometres long and takes about three and a half hours. Check these route details before setting out as well.
The Sentier des ramendeuses is also connected with a historical account of everyday life. It allowed fishermen’s wives to reach Fécamp and mend fishing nets there. Historically, the Ramendeuses stopped at the “Café-canard” and had a “Canard”: sugar dipped in Calvados. As well as passing through the village, the path thus represents the work of mending nets and a traditional eating habit.
Coastal Landscape and Protected Area
The Cavée Rouge in Criquebeuf-en-Caux is a small hanging valleuse, or small coastal valley. The Natura 2000 site “Littoral Seino-Marin” offers another way of understanding the landscape. It was designated because large numbers of marine birds of community interest are found there. The protected area covers the edge of the plateau, the cliffs, the beach, the foreshore, and marine areas extending up to the 12-nautical-mile limit off the coast. Criquebeuf-en-Caux is one of the municipalities in the protected area. The two names refer to different scales: the Cavée Rouge identifies a small landform, while the protected area also extends far into marine waters.
Church of Saint Martin and Local History
The Church of Saint Martin dates from the 16th century. Its light-colored stone bell tower, built in the 17th century, served as a navigation marker for sailors. The church offers a different historical perspective from the story of the Ramendeuses: here, the focus is on the building’s age and maritime navigation, while that story concerns the journey to Fécamp and the mending of fishing nets. Together, these local points of interest show different aspects of Criquebeuf-en-Caux’s history, from work in everyday fishing life to navigation at sea.
Discover more destinations: Bretteville-Du-Grand-Caux, Saint-Pierre-En-Port, Vittefleur, Bernières, Cany-Barville, Autigny, Mentheville, Écrainville
For the broader travel overview: Seine-Maritime.
