Notre-Dame-de-la-Falaise

Notre-Dame-de-la-Falaise is a religious monument featuring a statue set on a seven-meter brick pedestal with cement glaze overlooking the coast at Mers-les-Bains. The structure rises above a German blockhouse and commands views across the surrounding cliffs and sea.

The monument was inaugurated in 1878 with a gathering of about 6,000 people and was built with local support and donations. In 1942, German authorities temporarily removed the statue to prevent it from serving as a landmark for Allied forces during the war.

The three bas-reliefs on the pedestal show patron saints of nearby cities: Saint Martin, Saint James, and Saint Lawrence. These carvings connect local religious veneration with the site's role as a spiritual center for the coastal area.

Visitors can reach the monument on foot by following a path past the local church, or by car by following signs toward Camping Le Rompval. The location is easily accessible and offers parking options nearby for those arriving by vehicle.

The Latin inscription 'Ave Maris Stella' appears at both the top and bottom of the monument, creating a frame for the entire structure. Three additional inscriptions on the sides each request protection, unity, and peace, forming a complete spiritual message for those who approach it.