A groundbreaking exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon is bringing together masterpieces by some of France's greatest artists, including Claude Monet, Gustave Courbet, and Henri Matisse, all united by their fascination with Étretat, the world's most famous Norman village. The exhibition, titled "Étretat, Beyond the Cliffs," promises to be one of the most compelling cultural events in Lyon this season.
Despite having only a thousand residents, the small Norman fishing village of Étretat has achieved global recognition through the works of artists, writers, and filmmakers who have been drawn to its unique magnetism. The village's dramatic white cliffs have inspired what can only be described as visual poetry, attracting a remarkable parade of creative minds throughout the 19th century and beyond.
The list of luminaries who have fallen under Étretat's spell reads like a who's who of French cultural history. Writers Guy de Maupassant and Victor Hugo immortalized the village in their literary works, while painters Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, and Henri Matisse captured its essence on canvas. Even contemporary author Sylvain Tesson has recently added his voice to this chorus of admirers. Whether through brushstrokes or pen strokes, all these masters experienced a profound emotional connection to Étretat.
The exhibition showcases an impressive collection assembled specifically for this occasion, featuring paintings, texts, photographs, and drawings. Thanks to a partnership with the Städel Museum in Frankfurt am Main – Lyon's sister city since 1960 – the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon has secured four major works that will serve as the exhibition's centerpieces. These include two paintings by Gustave Courbet titled "Waves" and two works by Claude Monet: "The Luncheon" and "Rough Sea at Étretat," all created on location in the Norman village.
Beyond celebrating this artistic heritage, the exhibition also addresses contemporary concerns facing Étretat. The village now suffers from overtourism and the effects of climate change, which are gradually eroding the very cliffs that have inspired centuries of artistic creation. The exhibition poses thought-provoking questions about how these seemingly unshakeable limestone formations are slowly diminishing, even as the timeless masterpieces they inspired continue to endure.
The exhibition opens on November 29, 2025, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon, located at 20 Place des Terreaux in Lyon's 1st arrondissement. This remarkable gathering of artistic treasures offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the enduring power of Étretat's landscape through the eyes of France's most celebrated artists while reflecting on the fragility of the natural world that inspired their genius.
