I am trying to arrange a short week in early September to do some photography in Northern France. I don't want to drive more than about three hours from Calais so that includes an area West of Reims, north of Paris and east of Caen - so quite a big area. I'm mainly interested in landscape photography and know the area fairly well but can't think of any really attractive or unusual areas. If anyone has any other suggestions for photogenic subjects or events that would also be appreciated.

This might give you some ideas, although we were there in a different season.

http://tinyurl.com/5m9kfb

I would recommend Etretat - it is French version of the white cliffs of Dover. When we were there is mid-July a few years ago, the fog broke about 3pm and the glorious sunshine totally changed the landscape. It is a small town (albeit a bit touristy) surrounded by hills that can be walked - many people doing it.

Will you be doing any of the WWII invasion beaches? Pointe du Hoc is a beautiful place, all along there the cliffs and water and tides would be great to photograph. The American Cemetary is also beautiful, though not strictly landscape. Good luck with the photos.

Honfleur. Get up an hour before dawn to catch the day dawning over the harbour (and bring a tripod).

oooh. good ideas. I spent about an hour in the American Cemetary and wished I had more. Look for any special ceremonies or crosses/starts decorated and they make wonderful subjects. To me, it was also such a place of honor that I was just humbled wandering around.

Honfleur is wonderful also. It does get crowded with tourists, so the idea of getting there early is a good one.

I'll try and post some photos from our visit...

Cap Gris Nez, Cap Blanc Nez

Many thanks for all of these replies. I've also had suggested the area around Le Treport and possibly also Forge-les-Eaux and Neufchatel. Abbeville is a reserve location as is Le Havre for the cathedral and docks etc.

ttt

What does ttt mean?

to the top

Pointe de Hoc, and pointe do raz.(pass the parking areas and shops and go on the paths but wear shoes that will not slip and will hold on the rocks. Not for the squimish.)

The d day sites mentionned are west of Caen but highly photogenic.

Caen has the chateau and 2 abbeys.

Honfleur - wooden church, narrow houses by the port, narrow cobbled streets. Cote de grace - overlooking the seine estuary.

The Pays d'Auge - near Honfleur - apple orchards - pastures half timbered thatched cottages

Vernier marshes in the loops of the Seine

Les Andelys - Cliffs overloolking the Seine, and the Chateau Gaillard

Etretat - Chalk cliffs and needles

Forge les euax

Le Havre - Urban landscape - concrete rythmed forms