The Black Cow Cliffs are located between Houlgate and Villers-sur-Mer. Their name comes from a sailors’ song. When seen from the sea, these these huge algae-covered blocks of chalk on the beach are said to ressemble a herd of cows grazing at the foot of the cliff.

Located on France's northwestern coast, in the Normandy region, the Cliffs of the Black Cows (Falaises des Vaches Noires) got their name from sailors who saw the algae covered rocks along the shore and thought they were cows grazing on the beach.

More than 100 meters high, the cliffs of the Vaches Noires extend over more than 4 km between Houlgate and Villers-sur-Mer. The origin of their construction is 150 million years in the past, around the Jurassic era.

These cliffs owe their name to the sailors who, as they approached the coast, used them as landmarks, finding that the large chunks of black chalk that fell to the beach resembled cows. The site is classified as a type I natural area of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest.

Dec 18, 2020 · Over 100m high and covering a distance of 4.5km between Villers-sur-Mer and Houlgate, these unique cliff­s stand out with their dramatic dark rock faces and stark natural beauty. This site, constantly eroded by the tide, is famous for its Jurassic and Cretaceous fauna.

This location -- it means the Cliffs of the Black Cows -- overlooks the English Channel above the charming town of Villers sur Mer and is a favorite launching point for paragliders, who need only unpack their chutes and stand up to catch the wind and take off.

The Paléospace, archaeological museum located in Villers-sur-Mer, invites you to discover the extraordinary history of the Vaches Noires cliffs’ fossils and that of Normandy during the Jurassic period.

Jan 26, 2024 · Who would have thought that the rocks that make up the cliffs here were so rich in the fossils of animals and creatures that lived millions of years ago? We head off to explore the Vaches Noires [black cows] cliffs, a magnificent place full of history, stunning landscapes, geological wonders and epic photo opportunities!

The cliffs of Les Vaches Noires, more than 100 meters high, extend over 5 kilometers between Villers-sur-Mer and Houlgate. Their name comes from the large black rocks falling at their feet which, looking at the shore from the sea, give the appearance of a herd of cattle grazing quietly.

Listed as a "site of scientific and landscape interest" in 1995, the Vaches Noires (Black Cow) cliffs are a remarkable natural site which holds a number of secrets, some of which date back more than 150 million years.