Nature has carved unusual shapes out of the white cliffs in Etretat, and as a result, this picturesque spot attracted many Impressionist painters, who sought to capture the cliffs on canvas. The pretty seaside town of Etretat is also the setting for Maurice Leblanc’s popular French children’s book about Arsène Lupin, the gentleman burglar. Two further reasons to visit Etretat are its fantastic 18-hole golf course on one cliff, and the magical gardens on the other, both of which afford stunning views of the cliffs and town.
Visit Etretat carefully and respectfully
To make the most of Étretat and its breathtaking views over the cliffs of the Alabaster Coast, we recommend that you plan your visit at off-peak times, early in the morning or late in the evening. You’ll discover Étretat in a peaceful setting, bathed in beautiful light.
The town of Étretat is part of the Grand Site de France programme, a network managed according to the values of sustainable development.
You can also admire the impressive limestone cliffs along the 130 km of the Alabaster Coast, and explore villages and towns such as Yport, Fécamp and Dieppe. Don’t hesitate to discover them!
A landscape unlike any other in the world!
On the Alabaster Coast
The cliffs and rock formations steal the show in Etretat, thanks to their exceptional natural beauty and the fact that famous Impressionists painted them so memorably. Erosion has created extraordinary arches in the chalk either side of the town. There’s also an amazing needle-like structure, known in French as the Aiguille. A walk up the cliffs to the west of Etretat leads you to an 18-hole golf course with breath-taking views over the Aiguille, while a walk to the east will bring you to the Jardins d’Etretat, a beautiful Asian-inspired garden affording stunning views over Etretat and its bay across to the Aval arch famously immortalised by Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin. Head back down to the seafront as the sun goes down and you can also see Etretat’s cliffs magically light up.
However, there is more to Etretat than the cliff formations and pebble beach. The small town beyond is picturesque and full of pretty restaurants and shops, while the remarkable wooden covered market and 19th-century villa Le Clos Lupin are both worth a visit.
A Belle Époque village
Originally a modest fishing village, Étretat became a fashionable destination in the 19th century, attracting visitors from all over Paris. The town was home to many illustrious people, including Offenbach’s Villa Orphée , the Château des Aygues (holiday residence of the Spanish queens) and, of course, the Clos Arsène Lupin, the home of Maurice Leblanc, the ‘father’ of the Gentleman Burglar.
Good advice
When is the best time for a visit to Étretat?
The ideal time of year to visit
We strongly recommend to come out of season (or on a weekday in spring), in the middle of autumn or even in winter, when the town has regained its tranquillity and the lights are soothing. The other advantage of coming out of season is that you can talk to the locals.
The time of year to avoid
It may seem obvious, but if you want to visit Étretat, avoid the months of July and August. But also weekends (when the weather is fine) and school holidays. The busiest time for visitors is between 11am and 4pm.
Plan your stay in Étretat
How do I get to Étretat?
The train, our preferred option
From April to early November, the SNCF offers combined train + coach tickets from Paris.
Out of season, you can travel by train to Fécamp or Le Havre station. From there you can take the NOMAD coach.
If you are travelling from Paris, there are also direct coach services between Paris and Étretat.
Weekend by rail and coach
Our ideas for your stay in Étretat
One of the best ways to capture the soul of this historic fishing village is to spend one or several nights there, in the centre of Étretat or on the clifftops. Waking up in the morning to one of the most beautiful towns on the French coast is one of those little pleasures that make life worth living. Of course, you can also take advantage of your stay to treat yourself or the whole family to a good meal. We’ve got some great places to stay and eat, whether you’re coming alone, as a couple, with friends or as a family.
Travelling by car: be careful about parking
If you want to drive to Étretat, you may have to be patient to find a parking space. You can park for free at the entrance to the village, on the route de Criquetot-l’Esneval (la Guezane). A footpath will take you to the Chemin des Haules.
You’ll find more information about parking in Etretat here.
Getting around Étretat
Cycling: more than a means of transport, a state of mind
You can hire a bike in Étretat, Les Loges (6km from Étretat) and Fécamp.
Rail biking
Leaving from Les Loges, the route takes you gently to Étretat and through beautiful countryside.
Useful information for your stay
Where to stay in and around Etretat?
Markets days in Étretat
The Étretat market is held every Thursday morning around the covered market.
Étretat’s clifftops: good to know
Under no circumstances should you leave the marked paths to approach the edge of the cliffs. The scenery is certainly magnificent, but you must be extremely careful.