Did Monet and his fellow artist buddies make Étretat famous through their impressionist paintings? I do not know, but I am sure there are many of us who would not have seen or heard of this rock outcropping into the sea, if we had not seen one or more of Monet’s paintings.

Do you recognize this rock via paintings? (Click to enlarge photos)

Ten of us piled into 2 sedans – yes, I was often in the middle of the back seat! – mid-morning on Tuesday, to take-in a few notable sights 2 and 3 hours northwest of Giverny and on the coast. It rained off and on all day, but it cooperated by only raining when we were in the car!  Above, I just caught a little light that was disappearing under the rain clouds.

Carol on the shores in Étretat, France

Up above this formation – right on top – is a goat farm that we visited! We dined en plein air, eating fresh goat cheese, baquets, several different toppings and cider. Our picnic (no rain) was topped off by a delicious raspberry ice cream made from goats milk. And did I mention the scrumptious chocolates?

Sign to the goat farm we visited

The farm house

Simple beauty

Reportedly, Monet and other well known artists of the time, walked and painted on these grounds. There is also a famous story about Monet concentrating so intently while painting Étretat, that he lost his easel to the sea because he was not paying attention to the tide. Now does that sound like a true artist? Know anyone like this?

The rain drops started as we took our last licks of ice cream. We were off to Honfleur, a well known charming old port city, up the coast in Normandy, about an hour away.

Honfleur & its classic old narrow streets

A very very old door within a door and yummy blue

As many of you have probably surmised, I adore hats, but I have never been in a REAL hat store for women. Wow! These were gorgeous and for real money!

Fabulous boutique with beautifully handcrafted hats

Gotta have an outfit like this for next year when I turn 60!

Honfleur is loaded with art galleries, shops, museums, outdoor cafes and restaurants. Unfortunately, we only had a couple of hours to get a taste of it. I must return and soon. Anyone want to join me?

"The Cat Who Fishes"

...lots of history

...lots of texture

Below is actually a mural. Hard to believe, but you can see wrinkles in the lower right hand corner. This mural covers a building that is being renovated….really impressive.

A canvas mural covering up construction

It was late, we were all tired from the long day, but where were we going to eat – missing dinner is not allowed - ? In France, your meal must be ordered by 9pm (anyone know the rationale of this law?) No ‘appropriate’ restaurant could be found on the road, so we booked it back to Giverny to our second favorite restaurant.

Monet & fellow artists dined in the Baudy Hotel Café

That is an ‘original copy’ of a Monet painting up on the wall. I have never heard of such a thing, but what a treat!

Our dinners were ordered by 8:50pm & all was delish

Need I say more?

…to be continued.