Sotteville-sur-Mer

Sotteville-sur-Mer is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of France. It has 388 inhabitants (1999). The town is part of the Dieppe district.
No fewer than 231 steps provide access to the beach, which is lined with high chalk cliffs. A wooden staircase was built in 1890 to allow fishermen to reach the beach more easily. They built huts in the rocks next to the staircase. It was later fitted with rails so that horses and donkeys could pull carts filled with pebbles up. During the Second World War, the Nazis dynamited this staircase. It was rebuilt in 1954.

A beautiful village of about 400 people in the string of charming French seaside towns of the Alabaster coast. Some traditional half-timbered houses are well maintained. A wooden staircase was built in 1890 to make it easier for fishermen to reach the beach. They built huts in the rocks next to the stairs. Later it was fitted with rails so that horses and donkeys could pull up wagons filled with pebbles. During the Second World War, the Nazis dynamited this staircase. It was re-built in 1954, with 231 steps down to the beach, which is lined with high chalk cliffs. Bakeries and bistros are available for a break.

Sotteville seems to be a rather tranquil coastal town.