Travelers booking luxury vacation rentals in France already know to expect memorable vistas of rolling hills, mild temperatures and plenty of lush greenery. Yet, while the French countryside may offer the serene setting that vacationers were hoping for, those visiting the Normandy region will have a chance to take in one of the country's most gorgeous natural sights – the cliffs of Etretat.

Located in the Seine-Maritime department, Etretat is a small commune on the country's northern coast. Though ostensibly a farm community, the area has gained renown for the enormous cliffs and rock formations that jut out over the sea. These staggeringly beautiful features have inspired some of the country's most famous artists, including Eugene Boudin, Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet, whose pastel rendition of the landscape is considered one of his best.

Strolling to the top of the cliffs reveals a breathtaking vista that is unrivaled on the continent, as the sea meets the shore in an exquisite display of natural design.

Yet the scenery is far from the only attraction to Etretat, as the sleepy, storybook village below the cliffs features a number of unique boutiques packed with designer goods and cafes that can offer travelers an enticing lunch before heading back to their villas in France.