At the beginning of the XX century, Parisians from the artistic circles started exploring Normandy, and more specifically Étretat, as a destination for summer residencies.
In 1905, French actress Madame Thébault did not deviate from the fashion but made a rather more original choice of settlement than the city center: she had her villa built on the windy Amont cliff, a dramatic place filled with mystery. She named it "La Roxelane" after one of her favorite historical figures — the legendary wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
Inspired by the place from where so many artists painted (from Claude Monet to Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot), she decided to create a garden, the first to offer such a breathtaking view on La Manche and the cliffs of Étretat.
Madame Thébault and "La Roxelane"
Reconsidering the Gardens’ concept
@Claudia Gaupp
An open-air space for artistic creation
Collaboration with artists lies at the heart of the identity of Jardins d'Étretat. Since their opening, they have served as a welcoming space for the works of over 50 artists, showing exhibitions, artistic residencies, performances, and art interventions. These events have woven a rich network of connections between creators, the Gardens as a living ecosystem, local communities, and visitors from around the globe.
The mission of Jardins d’Étretat embodies a dynamic approach aimed at promoting the artistic and cultural development of the region. It nurtures creativity, encourages interdisciplinary exchanges, and fosters synergies among various actors. By establishing connections between local organizations and specialists from various disciplines, including artists, gardeners, and researchers, Jardins d'Étretat thus become a place for complex dialogue.
@Matteo Carassale