What do Charlemagne, Joan of Arc, William the Conqueror, Edgar Degas and Charles de Gaulle have in common? Believe it or not, these great names from French history all stayed in the charming little village of St. Valery at one point in their life! This is not surprising because the town has much to offer: it was a flourishing port in the 15th century that traded in fabrics and herrings and now features a colorful fishermen’s village, a collection of adorable cottages, stately villas in brick and small paved lanes wrapped in poetry.
So, put on your walking shoes and take the whole family on an enjoyable assault of the heights of St. Valery! You’ll find towers, half-timbering and corbels. It’s a real pleasure to stroll through small narrow streets filled with flowers. You’ll also discover buildings rich in history, along with an atmosphere of vacation time and carefree living. You can taste a slice of “gâteau battu” (“beaten cake”), a local specialty and one of the best the region has to offer. And don’t forget the little church perched at the very top; it was built in a checkerboard pattern of flint and limestone, which is very characteristic of the Picardy coast.
When and how to visit the heights of St. Valery
You can visit the town freely all year long. Call on one of our partner guides to help you discover all the details and tell you the historical tales of this medieval town.