Drive to the Coast, France, June 2019

France, June 2019, from Valenciennes to the coast

Amiens cathedral

Wednesday

We have a couple days before the next soccer match in Le Havre.  Seems like a good idea to spend some time on the coast.  Many great options along the way, we choose Amiens for lunch.

The waterways are surprising, feels like the clean version of Venice ;)  Lots of little bridges everywhere to get around the town.

Water features.

The cathedral is one that took hundreds of years to build. 

Pretty much exactly what I think a French cathedral looks like.

Extra creepy gargoyle.  I think that is a bonus face in the chest.

Screaming monkey?!?

This area has seen a lot of war.

Funky ornate clock

Lunch was our introduction to cider and buckwheat crepes at Crepiere Le Mangeoire. We didn't have the time to go in, but drove past the Jules Verne house.  Always a reason to go back!

Wind power everywhere on this drive.

We  want to get an idea of different parts of the coast so we stop briefly at Dieppe. The guide book says this large grassy area was Napoleon's children's playground/beach.

For sure a tourist stop, a couple of buses stop, people walk out on the beach and return.

But not many stick around. 

Maybe because it is not sunny?  It is the middle of the work week?  The beach is all rocks?

We don't stick around either.  Back in the car to get closer to our hotel.  We try to stop for dinner in Fecamp, but dinner does not start until 7 in any of the cool looking spots.  Dinner from a snack bar place with a bit of cider makes it all good.