Georges Braque designed the 'Tree of Jesse' stained-glass window inside the church.
The marine cemetery contains the graves of composer Georges Auric and painter Jean-Francis Auburtin.
The church was significantly altered in the 16th century, adding flamboyant Gothic features to the original Romanesque structure.
The site is often referred to as the 'Marine Cemetery' due to its dramatic positioning overlooking the sea.
The cemetery layout was designed to face the Channel, serving as a symbolic link between the land and the ocean.
The church was fortified in earlier centuries to protect coastal villagers from maritime raids.
The Église Saint-Valery is a 12th-century stone church perched dramatically on the edge of the Varengeville-sur-Mer cliffs overlooking the English Channel. The adjacent marine cemetery serves as the final resting place for several internationally renowned artists, writers, and musicians. Architecturally, the building features a unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements, reflecting its long history as a coastal beacon and place of worship. The graveyard is specifically noted for its layout, which integrates the natural environment of the Normandy coastline. Georges Braque, a pivotal figure in 20th-century art, is interred here, and his presence is marked by a stained-glass window he designed for the church. The site remains an active parish church under the Diocese of Rouen. Its location on the Ailly cliff provides a direct view of the maritime horizon, which historically influenced many Impressionist painters who frequented the region.
From the edge of the cemetery looking toward the sea with the church steeple framed against the horizon.
Visit during low tide if you plan to walk along the beach below the cliffs after your cemetery tour.
Bring a windbreaker, as the cliffside location is frequently exposed to strong maritime gusts.
Stay on the clearly marked paths within the cemetery to respect the fragile cliff edges and historical grave markers.
Do not attempt to climb or walk near the unfenced edges of the cliff, as coastal erosion makes the ground unstable.
Maintain silence as it is a place of burial; ensure modest dress when entering the church interior.
