Don’t miss… The Alabaster Coast

Beach landscapes were a favourite of the Impressionists and the Alabaster Coast, with its expanses of chalky white cliffs and entrancing luminescence, drew them to set up their easels on the pebbly beaches in droves. The Côte d’Albâtre stretches from Le Tréport westwards to Le Havre, taking in the seaside resorts of Étretat and Fécamp, both of which are worth a visit.

Étretat will be familiar to many Impressionism fans, with its natural chalk arches and pointed L’Aiguille, or Needle, jutting from the sea; Monet painted around 80 works here alone. Make another stop at Fécamp, 30 minutes to the east and surrounded by towering cliffs, to enjoy a lively mix of art and history and, if you have time, a trip to the Palais Bénédictine – the historic liqueur was first made here by monks in the early 16th century (benedictinedom.com).

in the Second World War and was reconstructed in concrete between 1945 and 1964 to the plans of master architect Auguste Perret, a mentor of Le Corbusier. The city rightly wears its concrete badge with pride and has been awarded Unesco World Heritage Status for its architecture. An icon of the city’s resilience and its crowning glory is the Saint

Joseph Church, whose steeple pierces the skyline, skyscraperstyle. For even more modern marvels, visit André Malraux Museum (Modern Art), known

as MuMa (below). Among its treasures are the collections devoted to Impressionism and Fauvism (an early 20th- century movement). A !er taking in the art, download an app from Le Havre’s Tourist O$ce website to embark on a walking tour in the steps of artists such as Boudin, Monet and Pissarro. (lehavretourisme.com). Fans of mid- century style will love Appartement Témoin Perret, a mini museum where you can see Perret’s vision for Le Havre’s residents. For 18thcentury interiors, visit Maison

de l’Armateur, a historic house that survived the bombings.