A Guided Exploration of the Vaches Noires Cliffs

On a beautiful summer’s day, we head to a sunny beach in Calvados to become apprentice paleontologists. As we embark on our fossil hunting adventure at the renowned Vaches Noires cliffs, we’re literally transported back in time to a distant geological era! The thrill of searching for ancient treasures during our guided tour promises a day filled with excitement and discovery.

Jonas, Guide at Paléospace

Originally from Vienne, Jonas is a scientific mediator at Paléospace, a dedicated paleontological museum and educational centre. Among his most impressive discoveries at the Vaches Noires site are bones from marine reptiles, including plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, and metriorhynchus.

Fossils and Mysteries: The Paleontological Site of Les Vaches Noires

The excitement begins the moment we arrive at the Paléospace Museum, where a colossal dinosaur model looms overhead, instantly igniting our imaginations for the fossil-hunting adventure that lies ahead. The entire family can barely contain their enthusiasm as we prepare to dive into this remarkable paleontological site, nestled right next to the charming seaside town of Villers-sur-Mer, where treasures from the Jurassic age await discovery. Who could have guessed that these towering cliffs conceal a treasure trove of fossils from ancient creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago? We set off to explore the breathtaking Vaches Noires cliffs—a captivating landscape rich in history, geological wonders, and endless photo opportunities that promise to make our day truly unforgettable!

A journey back to Jurassic Times   

The fossil hunting tour is led by Jonas, a guide at the Paléospace, whose passion for paleontology is obvious from the start. As he begins to explain the stages of fossilisation, we find ourselves completely captivated. He skillfully adapts his explanations for the children in the group, ensuring that everyone stays engaged. We learn that the paleontological site at the Vaches Noires cliffs reveals a fascinating chapter in Earth’s history: the Jurassic period. During that time, a tropical sea covered Normandy, and now, we uncover a stunning array of fossils, including ammonites, sea urchins, and nautilus, as well as marine reptiles like plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs.

On the look-out for fossils!  

Wandering along the beach in search of fossils feels like taking a step back in time. The best tools for this adventure are a keen eye and a good dose of patience. Suddenly, our daughters, Charlotte and Giullia, make an exciting discovery: a fossilized shark’s tooth and an ammonite dating back hundreds of millions of years. According to Jonas, these finds are both rare and fortuitous, and he informs us that we can keep any loose fossils we uncover, as they would otherwise be lost to the sea.

After our beach exploration, we venture into the modern and interactive Paléospace Museum, where we delve even deeper into prehistoric times. This combination of outdoor adventure and museum discovery offers a wonderfully satisfying and thought-provoking experience for the whole family—one we wholeheartedly recommend!

Useful Information

A unique spot

Villers-Sur-Mer and the Vaches noires cliffs

Villers-sur-Mer makes a striking impression right from the town entrance, where a gigantic green dinosaur greets visitors in front of the Tourist Office. The Vaches Noires cliffs, located between Villers and Houlgate, boast a paleontological site of great scientific significance.