Pourquoi Cap Blanc-Nez et Cap Gris-nez ?
Pourquoi Cap Blanc-Nez et Cap Gris-nez ?
Aujourd'hui, on vous explique pourquoi nos caps s'appellent Blanc-Nez et Gris-Nez. Si on se pose la question, la réponse semble simple : c'est la couleur de la roche ! La craie pour le premier, le grès pour le second, qui lui donne cette teinte grisâtre.
Où se trouve le cap Gris-nez et le cap blanc-nez ?
Le Cap Gris-Nez est situé à Audinghen sur le littoral de la côte d'Opale. Il est la continuité du Cap Blanc-Nez situé 10 kilomètres au nord composant le parc naturel régional des Caps et Marais d'Opale. Véritable réserve naturelle, le Cap Gris-Nez est une zone naturelle d'intérêt écologique, de faune et de flore.
Where is Cap Gris-Nez located?
- Cap Gris-Nez (literally “cape grey nose;” Koap Zwartenesse (West Flemish)) is a cape on the Côte d'Opale in the Pas-de-Calais département in northern France. A view of the English coastline from the viewing platform at Cap Gris-Nez It is between Wissant and Audresselles, in the commune of Audinghen.
What does Gris Nez mean in English?
- Gris-nez literally means "grey nose" in English. It is derived from colloquial Dutch "grey cape"; officially, the Dutch name was Swartenesse ("black cape") to set it apart from Blankenesse "white cape" ( Cap Blanc-Nez) to the northeast. The element -nesse is cognate to English -ness, denoting "headland", as in for example Dungeness or Sheerness .
What are the cliffs of Cap Gris-Nez made of?
- The cliffs of Cap Gris-Nez are made of sandstone, clay and chalk. They are mainly grey, which gives the cape its name. It is also a good place to collect fossils, which are mainly from the Jurassic period.
Which is better Cap Blanc or Gris-Nez?
- With its white cliffs and sandy beaches littered with small rocks the Cap Blanc-Nez is much more attractive than Gris-Nez and the colours over the sea and cliffs at sunset or sunrise are magnificent. To learn more about the Atlantic Wall fortifications visit the "Musée du Mur de l'Atlantique" at Audingen.
