La Croix Paqueray, Scenic viewpoint in Carolles, France
La Croix Paqueray is a scenic viewpoint on a small hill in Carolles, topped by a stone cross. Standing on the Pignon Butor, the spot gives a clear view over the coastline, the cliffs, and on clear days, the Chausey Islands and the shore stretching toward Cancale.
A wooden cross was first erected here in 1815 to remember those who died in the Napoleonic Wars, then replaced in 1871 by the current stone cross. During the Second World War, German forces closed the plateau to civilians and built defensive structures, some of which still remain under the vegetation.
The viewpoint sits about a mile (roughly 1.5 km) from the center of Carolles and can be reached on foot along the Chemin des Douaniers, a coastal path that follows the cliffs. The walk is straightforward, but sturdy shoes are a good idea since the ground can be slippery depending on the season.
In 1937, an orientation table was installed on the Pignon Butor to help visitors read the landscape. At that time, the Crapeu estuary still flowed directly into the sea, a coastline that has since changed.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
