Would you like to visit Etretat cliffs and region? I had been dreaming of seeing them with my own eyes for a long time, and I must say that I was delighted! So today, I take you to visit these beautiful cliffs!
The Etretat cliffs are divided into two parts: the upper cliffs to the north and the lower cliffs to the south of the village. So, how can you visit Etretat cliffs in a day? Let’s explore the different trails together to make the most of your day in Etretat…
PRACTICAL TIPS TO VISIT ETRETAT CLIFFS
How to get to Etretat cliffs from Paris?
Étretat is 2 hours and 40 minutes from central Paris, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Rouen, and 35 minutes from Le Havre by car.
Rent a car here if you need to.
Compare car rentals to find the best price!
By train, you can take the Paris-Le Havre line (2 hours and 35 minutes) and then bus no. 17 to Étretat. Alternatively, there is also a train between Paris and Bréauté (2 hours and 15 minutes), followed by a bus connection to Étretat (line no. 17).
Where to stay to visit Etretat cliffs?
Here are several accommodation suggestions, ranked according to your budget.
3 recommended accommodation to visit Etretat cliffs
LE COSY DE SARAH
- 4km from Etretat
- 9,4/10 rating
- From €80
LE MANOIR DES FALAISES
- Wonderful charming house
- Calm setting
- From €110
DORMY HOUSE
- Sea and cliff views !
- In the center of Etretat
- From €140
How much time do you need in Etretat?
If you want to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Etretat cliffs and stroll around the village, I recommend to visit Etretat in one day.
To walk at the foot of the cliffs below the “needle”, you will need to check the low tide times in advance so that you can make the round trip between two hours before and one hour after low tide. The best time to walk along the top of the cliffs is in the afternoon, when the light is at its most beautiful on the white chalk walls.
You can find more practical information on the town of Etretat website.
What to bring back from Etretat?
In and around the market halls, there are lots of cute little shops where you can find typical products and souvenirs.
For food lovers, Calvados and Norman cider are must-try regional products. And for foodies, fish soup, seafood, local cheeses and milk jam (a Normandy specialty) are sure to please.
You’ll also find clothing stores where you can pick up a nice yellow raincoat, and it’s also a great opportunity to find a striped shirt if you don’t already have one ;-).
VISIT ETRETAT CLIFFS VIA THE BEACH
The village beach offers a first glimpse of the cliffs of Etretat, on either side of the historic center. To the right are the upper cliffs, with the chapel of Etretat at the top. And to the left, you will see the first arch, called the “Porte d’aval,” the remains of the oyster beds once operated by Queen Marie-Antoinette herself (!) and the “Trou à l’homme.”
Carved into the rock, you can walk through it at low tide to take the tunnel leading to the beaches on the Aiguille d’Etretat side. According to legend, it takes its name from a sailor found unconscious in this cave after his ship was wrecked nearly three centuries ago…
At the end of the tunnel, you will have a breathtaking view of the 55-meter-high needle. It was also the setting for Maurice Leblanc’s novel, “The Hollow Needle,” which is said to contain the secret of the kings of France and in which Arsène Lupin hid to escape his pursuers!
However, please note that you will need to time your trip to coincide with low tide, which is between two hours before and one hour after. Two hours after low tide, it is still possible to return to Etretat, but you will get your feet wet!
VISIT ETRETAT LOWER CLIFFS
From Etretat beach, you will find the path that leads to the top of the lower cliffs. The first few minutes are a little steep, but you won’t regret the effort! The cliffs of Etretat are well worth the effort!
A first stop above the Aval Gate offers a superb view of the beach and village of Etretat on one side and the downstream cliffs continuing on to the Manneporte arch on the other.
At the end of the arch, you can also enter the “chambre des demoiselles” (maids’ room), a small room carved into the rock with a hole for a window. Legend has it that three young women took refuge here after being pursued by an evil lord!
The walk along the cliffs of Etretat continues towards the arch known as the Manneporte, skirting the Etretat golf course. I imagine this must be one of the most beautiful golf courses in France for enthusiasts, as the setting is truly magnificent!
Stop above the Manneporte to admire the landscape. The view is breathtaking, magical. The golden light of the sun dazzles the white chalk cliffs, and the needle seems to rise out of an emerald sea.
It’s also the perfect place for a picnic with an extraordinary view of the cliffs of Etretat, if you enjoy outdoor lunches!
The walk then continues to a third strip of land, which offers a beautiful view of the Manneporte and the Tilleul beach. This is the perfect place to appreciate the immensity of the cliffs of Etretat, which are nearly 80 meters high! You can clearly see the beautiful layers that make them up and the crevices that have been covered by vegetation.
It takes about an hour to reach Tilleul Beach from Etretat Beach. You can then retrace your steps, enjoying splendid views of the various rock formations. Alternatively, you can return to the village through the meadows via the Chemin de la Batterie.
VISIT ETRETAT UPPER CLIFFS
The first glimpse of the amont cliffs from Etretat beach is the “porte d’amont”, also known as the “Chaudron.” It is a small hole carved into the white chalk cliff, which Maupassant poetically described in his book “Une Vie” (1883): “a strangely shaped rock, rounded and pierced, which looked almost like a huge elephant with its trunk dipped in the waves.”
At the end of the beach, steps lead to the chapel overlooking the cliffs of Etretat. A path leads north from the chapel for a very pleasant walk through the meadows. The path does not run directly along the edge, so it is not always possible to see the sea, but the view at the end is very beautiful.
You can see the Belval needle below and, in the background, the magnificent panorama of the cliffs of Etretat stretching as far as the eye can see. The walk takes about 45 minutes (one way) to reach this point, before heading back in the opposite direction.
On your way back, don’t hesitate to stay on the beach to admire the sunset. You’ll then understand why the great Monet and so many other Impressionists drew their inspiration here…
VISIT ETRETAT VILLAGE
Nestled in the hollow of high white chalk cliffs, Etretat is a typical small Norman village that is well worth a visit. It remains very touristy, but it’s nice to stroll through its streets lined with pretty Norman houses. The center of activity is on the large Place du Maréchal Foch. On one side is the imposing Manoir de la Salamandre, and just opposite are the large market halls of Etretat.
The manor house is a real gem of Norman architecture built in the Middle Ages. Its winding facade dotted with half-timbering is truly beautiful, and inside you will find a hotel and an organic brasserie with large wooden tables and exposed beams.
The nearby market halls house the “old market,” now made up of craft vendors where you can find small souvenirs. Completed in the late 1930s, it still has its incredible exposed roof structure on display. It’s a lovely place to stroll around.
OTHER THINGS TO DO NEAR ETRETAT
Honfleur (45 minutes away): a very cute village with a beautiful little port that has inspired many Impressionist painters. Strolling around Honfleur in the morning is a real pleasure, admiring its sublime wooden church and small half-timbered and slate houses. Read my article on the 3 Top Things to See in Honfleur on the blog!
Deauville and Trouville (1 hour away): two small towns with well-known names where it’s very pleasant to stroll around. I loved walking on Deauville beach in winter, with its photogenic little beach huts and the sound of the sea…
Visit Rouen: the beautiful capital of Normandy is the perfect city to discover over a weekend, exploring its cathedral, colorful streets, and the banks of the Seine…
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