Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde, Maritime chapel at Falaise d'Amont, Étretat, France.
Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde is a chapel at the top of Falaise d'Amont cliff in Étretat with neo-Gothic design and a slate roof. The white stone building features fish-head gargoyles and stands at a commanding height above the surrounding landscape.
The chapel was built in 1856 by local sailors following Father Michel's sermon, but it was destroyed in 1942 during the war. It was rebuilt in 1950 in the form that stands today.
The chapel's boat-shaped interior and maritime details show how deeply the local fishing community connected their faith to the sea. The decorations with fish-head elements and nautical themes reflect what mattered most in daily life for people living here.
The chapel can be viewed from outside but cannot be entered, and is reached via hiking trails starting from Avenue Damilaville. The climb to the cliff is steep, so sturdy footwear and some time are needed.
The sailors who built the original chapel transported every construction material by hand and on their backs up the steep cliff. This remarkable effort shows how deeply the fishermen were devoted to this location.
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