Travel Guide of Étretat in France by Influencers and Travelers
Étretat is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in Normandy in north-western France. It is a tourist and farming town situated about 32 km north-east of Le Havre, at the junction of the D 940, D 11 and D 139 roads.
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The Best Things to Do and Visit in Étretat
TRAVELERS TOP 6 :
1 - Port of Le Havre
27 km away
The Port of Le Havre is the Port and port authority of the French city of Le Havre. It is the second-largest commercial port in France in terms of overall tonnage, and the largest container port, with three sets of terminals.
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2 - Skydiving in Le Havre
21 km away
Experience tandem skydiving in Le Havre on the edge of the Channel and fly over remarkable sites of Normandy such as the landing beaches and the cliffs of Etretat! The dropzone of Abeille Parachutisme is located by the sea and allows you to fly over ...
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3 - Helicopter tours in Le Havre
21 km away
From Le Havre airport, take a helicopter flight and let yourself be seduced by the beauty of Normandy. You will have the chance to fly over the cliffs of the Pays de Caux to Etretat and the Baie de Seine on board a Robinson R22 Beta. You will be welc...
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4 - Microlight flying in Le Havre
21 km away
Board in a pendular microlight for an unforgettable experience above Normandy coast between Etretat and Deauville. Ulm76-Para76 offers several microlight flights over Normandy coastline from Le Havre city. You can choose from four different...
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5 - Paracaidismo in Le Havre
21 km away
Experience tandem skydiving in Le Havre on the edge of the Channel and fly over remarkable sites of Normandy such as the landing beaches and the cliffs of Etretat! The dropzone of Abeille Parachutisme is located by the sea and allows you to fly over ...
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6 - Fallschirmspringen in Le Havre
21 km away
Experience tandem skydiving in Le Havre on the edge of the Channel and fly over remarkable sites of Normandy such as the landing beaches and the cliffs of Etretat! The dropzone of Abeille Parachutisme is located by the sea and allows you to fly over ...
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Pictures and Stories of Étretat from Influencers
20 pictures of Étretat from Erik-Jan Leusink, Bruno van der Kraan, Ihor Malytskyi and other travelers
- France community coast waves ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Erik-Jan Leusink | ©Unsplash
- Layers at Etretat’s beach ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Bruno van der Kraan | ©Unsplash
- Donkey at the cliffs of Etretat, France. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Ansgar Scheffold | ©Unsplash
- Foggy sunrise at the wonderful white cliffs of Etretat, France. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Ansgar Scheffold | ©Unsplash
- Cloudy sunset above the Cliff ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Gautier Salles | ©Unsplash
- Shot while roadtripping through Normandy (the north of France). ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Jonas Denil | ©Unsplash
- Shot while roadtripping through Normandy (the north of France). ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Jonas Denil | ©Unsplash
- Right at the bottom of a cliff, there were this unsecured rusty ladder. Does someone use it? ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Gautier Salles | ©Unsplash
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Why should you visit Étretat ?
Travel to Étretat if you like:
🏞️ Watercourse ⛰️ Cliff ⛰️ Mountain 🐾 Wildlife 🏖️ Headland 🏖️ ShoreReviews of Étretat from Travel Influencers
-The town is extremely crowded and it is difficult to find a table in a restaurant or even walk around the supermarket.
-The views from the seafront are amazing.
-There are lots of places to eat and drink with various souvenir shops.
-Spend up to 2 hours walking around
How to visit Étretat ?
To get to Étretat, the nearest airport is Le Havre-Octeville Airport, which is about 25 kilometers away. From there, you can rent a car or take a taxi to Étretat. Alternatively, you can take a train from Paris to Le Havre or Bréauté-Beuzeville, and then catch a bus to Étretat. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
It's not necessary to book anything in advance for your visit to Étretat, as most attractions are natural and open to the public. However, if you plan to visit during peak tourist season (June to August), it's recommended to book your accommodation well in advance.
The costs of visiting Étretat can vary depending on your preferences. Accommodation, food, and transportation will be your main expenses. The entrance fees to some attractions, like the Gardens of Étretat, are around €7.50 per person.
The best things to do in Étretat include exploring the famous natural arches and cliffs, such as the Porte d'Aval, Porte d'Amont, and the needle-like rock formation called L'Aiguille. You can also visit the picturesque Gardens of Étretat, take a scenic boat tour, or stroll along the beach and the beautiful promenade.
When it comes to dining, Étretat offers several great options. For a taste of local seafood, visit La Flottille or Le Galion, both offering delicious dishes in a cozy atmosphere. For a more casual dining experience, try La Crêperie du Pollet, serving delicious crêpes and galettes.
For accommodation, consider staying at the charming Hotel Dormy House, which offers beautiful views of the cliffs and sea. Alternatively, opt for the recently renovated Le Rayon Vert, located just a 5-minute walk from the beach. For budget travelers, Hôtel La Résidence Manoir De La Salamandre is a great option, offering a unique stay in a 16th-century manor house.
Off the beaten path:
For an unusual travel experience in Étretat, consider exploring the lesser-known underground tunnels and the "white bird" legend. These tunnels, known as Les Caves d'Étretat, were used during World War II as a bomb shelter and are now open to the public. The "white bird" legend revolves around the mysterious disappearance of the aircraft L'Oiseau Blanc, piloted by French aviators Charles Nungesser and François Coli, in 1927. It is believed that the plane crashed near Étretat, and several monuments and a museum dedicated to the aviators can be found in the area. This unique and fascinating part of Étretat's history is definitely worth exploring during your visit.
Map of Étretat
View Étretat on a map with the the closest popular places nearby
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More Travel spots to explore around Étretat
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Discover more travel spots to explore around Étretat
⛰️ Cliff spots 🏖️ Beach spots 🌊 Ocean spots 🏰 Church spots 🏖️ Shore spots ️🏜️ Natural arch spots 🏞️ Watercourse spots 🐾 Wildlife spots ⛰️ Mountain spots 🏖️ Headland spots ⛰️ Hill spots ️🏜️ Badlands spots 🌲 Plain spotsLearn More about Étretat
Once a peaceful fishing village, Étretat became a popular seaside resort for the French in the 19th century. Today, it is still frequented by locals, but it has also managed to attract tourists from Paris and other parts of Normandy. Located in the Seine-Maritime department of Haute-Normandie, its cliffs and the needles off its coast are the reason for Étretat's reputation. It is also the setting for many of the adventures of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman burglar created by Maurice Leblanc, and has inspired many artists and writers, including Maupassant, Monet, Hugo and Courbet. Although it would be possible to spend a weekend here, a day trip is enough to get a feel for the place and makes a good excursion from Paris or other towns you might visit in the area.
Mentioning Etretat, people immediately think of the image of cliffs, and surely when you come here, you will not be able to say the words because the scenery is too majestic, it is impossible not to be amazed by the beauty that nature bestows. The cliffs here all have their own names such as Aval, Amont, Manneporte, Le Trou à I'Homme, etc. Standing more than 100 meters high, protruding to the sea forming a unique arc. That the people here often call the "elephant of God".
Etretat beach is very peaceful, not as chaotic as the southern sea with gentle waves crashing on the shore. The sea water is cool and has an impressive green color in the warm rays of the sun and the long coastline seems to have no end. Because it is located in an idyllic French countryside, you can comfortably go for a walk to enjoy the peaceful relaxation and fresh, cool air of Etretat beach. Even during the peak season of Etretat tourism, you can still walk freely along the beach.
You can also climb the hill to see more fully the beauty of Etretat beach. There will be a small trail leading up to the top of the hill (mountain), the climb is moderate and there are steps. The road is a bit tiring but it will definitely be worth it, because you will witness the majestic picture of nature.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Étretat
Along the Etretat coast, there are many restaurants, the prices are not expensive, so you can comfortably eat and watch the sea. Here there is “Moules” which is a specialty of France and Belgium, so you must try it. Here are some restaurants:
From Saint-Lazare station in Paris you take the train to Le Harve station (about 2 hours). Then from Le Harve station take bus number 24 to Etretat (about 1 hour), get off at Étretat Mairie station (town hall and also near the tourist office). Or from Saint-Lazare station you take the train to Bréauté-Beuzeville station (about 2 hours) and then take bus 17 to Etretat (about 40 minutes).
Where to Stay in Étretat
Popular destinations near Étretat
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Le Tilleul
3 km (1.7 miles) away from Étretat
Le Tilleul is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region in northern France.
Travel guide of Le Tilleul
Fécamp
14 km (8.5 miles) away from Étretat
Fécamp is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region in northern France.
Travel guide of Fécamp
