200 Km from Paris 4 h Brussels and Luxembourg

Dungeon, turret, solid walls lined with Ivy, domain all in height with its garden terrace, its path winding hillside: the St. Clair area displays of at the outset its difference. Lovers of classical hotels are asked to pass their way. Everything here evokes a campaign resort coquette, unclassifiable, every nook and cranny, and including even the imperfections are endearing. The Dungeon, a small château built Anglo-Norman style in 1862 of the time of the splendor of Etretat, hides behind the thick walls eleven rooms on behalf of artists, all different. It is accessed also through the Agency, as in an ancient remains family. "Sarah Bernardt", flooded Sun, opens to a spacious living room to the cliff. "Empress Eugenie", tense cherry red and olive green, plant its two fenestrons in warhead on the sea. The bubbly "Duncan" in flowered grounds way Pompadour offers bathroom in the basement and reflection in the pool.

Close the Dungeon, the Villa Saint-Clair, built in the Belle poque and acquired in 2002 by the owners of the area, is home to both "Catel", while hassles gold and bronze; "Offenbach", Crimson; "Baker", Eggplant and caramel. "Mallorca", Eastern atmosphere... And in each of the rooms of reproductions of old photos of furniture disparate and fun, unique objects of fun statues, an abundance of beautiful fabrics, opulent curtains - owner, Monique Abodib, is both fine seamstress and expert chineuse. Without forgetting the comfort of jacuzzi baths or showers to jets. With a such palette of styles and eras, one question, how do I choose It all depends on his mood and the time that he...

In fine weather, it is good sipping a glass of champagne by the pool nestled below, from the looks and the wind, the velum or on the square of lawn. In this case, it is still a gull shortly fierce jump of Chair, Chair and approaching the table in the hope of pecking amuse-bouches. The hot hours, along basin, cuddly resting four-poster beds strained whiteouts invite fresh sleepiness. And a shiatsu massage in the House will allay the knotted muscles. As the show length and colors, with its chimney, cosy library lined with books and its large armchairs red clubs, he invites to beautiful sessions of reading.

Chalky cliffs and smooth pebbles

But it does not long withstand the appeal of the cliff: the field is only five minutes walk from the centre of Etretat, worth visiting for its beautiful Norman villas and flanked by covered market of a dome. Without forgetting, of course, the magical spectacle of the smooth pebble beach framed by the chalky cliffs of the coast of Alabaster boldly entering the silver waters, immortalized by Maurice Leblanc's Arsène Lupin. Soft green lawns of the cliff also host a golf course worth the journey alone for its exceptional situation. Detectives apprentices will be able to inspect the "Clos Lupine", the home of Maurice Leblanc, recently purchased by his granddaughter and turned into a pleasant interactive journey with a riddle to solve.

On the table in the domain, it reserve pleasant surprises - and generous plates. Drawn up in two shows intimate, the kernel, the other red green, offering views of the sea and its needles, it is led by an inventive Norman Chief who picks the herbs, tomatoes and artichokes, strawberries and rhubarb in the garden of the domain. It captures to the edge Wild turbot fishing on the coast, mitonne poultry and Norman meat, makes his bread and his sorbets. As in a good House. This is why it enjoys in the field: he creates an atmosphere that is not perfection, but the charm of a family house where one feels at home.

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IN PRACTICE

Domain Saint-Clair, the Dungeon, chemin de Saint-Clair, 76790 Etretat. Member of the Châteaux & Hotels of France. Tel: 02 35 27 08 23.

200 Km from Paris, 4 h Brussels and Luxembourg.

21 rooms and suites in the Dungeon and the villa, with bath jacuzzi, heated outdoor pool, massage shiatsu, several packages (tasting wine, golf, seminars...). 90 Euros (low season) and 160 euros (high season) "club" of 220 to 280 EUR room junior suite.