is a
French ''
Département '' in
Normandy .
Seine-Maritime was initially and previously known as ; but this first denomination was dropped on
January 18 ,
1955 .
In fact, all ''département'' denominations starting with "Bas-" (Low-) or including "Inférieur" have been gradually switched to a more "positive" denomination, with the exception of the ''département'' Bas-Rhin.
The ''département'' includes the chalky plateau of the
Pays De Caux and the cliffs of the
English Channel coast. There are two types of landscape - the dry chalky plateaux which are under intense arable cultivation, and generally flat. This is a "
Champaign " landscape characterised by huge fields with very few hedgerows.
In contrast, there are deep valleys forming a reticulum which is carved into the plateaux. These are often a surprise to the visitor, as they are not visible from most parts of the plateaux. They form a much more intimate landscape, with woodlands (many of them
Ancient Woodlands ) of beech and oak, and small fields and meadows along the streams. This is known as "
Bocage " landscape.
The novel ''La Place'' by
Annie Ernaux largely takes place in Seine-Maritime and describes events and changes that take place in relation to French society in the 20th century especially in relation to the rural population.
