When you gaze upon the majestic chalk cliffs of Étretat, it’s easy to see why Claude Monet chose this spot for his easel. The way the light plays on the white cliffs inspired some of his most famous paintings. Nestled along Normandy’s rugged coast, Étretat is one of the region’s most iconic destinations.
From the towering cliffs to the historic market hall, and from artistic gardens to beautiful pebble beaches, Étretat is a destination you simply can’t miss. In this blog, we’ll guide you through its most stunning sights and share practical tips for an unforgettable visit.
Where is Étretat in France?
Étretat is located in the Seine-Maritime department, in the Normandy region of northwestern France. This charming coastal town sits on the Alabaster Coast (Côte d’Albâtre), famous for its dramatic white chalk cliffs and gorgeous beaches.
Étretat is about thirty kilometers northeast of Le Havre and roughly ninety kilometers northwest of Rouen, a historic city with magnificent Gothic architecture. Nearby, you’ll also find the delightful town of Fécamp, known for its abbey and the Benedictine Palace, and the picturesque harbor town of Honfleur, famous for its half-timbered houses, old harbor, and art galleries.
What is Étretat Known For?
Étretat is renowned for its spectacular chalk cliffs and breathtaking coastline, which have inspired artists and writers for centuries. This charming seaside town on Normandy’s Alabaster Coast attracts hikers, nature lovers, and photographers who come to marvel at its stunning natural beauty and beaches.
Étretat’s beautiful scenery has long been a muse for famous artists. Claude Monet, Gustave Courbet, and many others found inspiration in Étretat’s dramatic landscape, capturing the cliffs and coastal views in their celebrated artworks.
Besides its artistic heritage, Étretat boasts a rich literary history, especially through the adventure novels of Arsène Lupin. Written by Maurice Leblanc, these stories feature the gentleman thief Lupin, often called the French Sherlock Holmes. Many of Lupin’s adventures are set in and around the cliffs of Étretat, giving the town a mysterious and adventurous allure.
Étretat is also known for its seaside resort culture, which began in the nineteenth century. The village became a popular destination for the Parisian elite, who were drawn by the fresh sea air and picturesque scenery.
Where to Stay in Étretat
As one of the top attractions in Normandy, Étretat offers a wide range of hotels and B&Bs. From charming half-timbered houses and villas to modern accommodations, you’ll find the perfect place to stay in Étretat.
Here are some top recommendations:
#1 Hotel La Résidence Manoir De La Salamandre is nestled on one of Étretat’s main street. It boasts a stunning facade that immediately captures your attention. This historic building is one of the town’s landmarks, and many rooms still feature the original beamed ceilings, adding to its unique charm.
#2 Domaine Saint Clair – Le Donjon is an excellent choice for a touch of luxury. This elegant hotel offers a beautiful outdoor pool and a terrace. It is set in a belle-époque style villa by the beach and includes a small nineteenth-century Anglo-Norman castle, all surrounded by a large park filled with flowers and trees..
#3 Hotel Le Rayon Vert is a favorite among visitors to Étretat. Housed in a gorgeous nineteenth-century building with stunning sea views, this hotel receives high praise for its ocean vistas, comfortable beds, perfect location, and delicious breakfast.
#4 Villa Eliane is a top pick if you prefer a cozy and intimate stay. Located on the outskirts of Étretat, this guesthouse consistently receives excellent reviews. The property is beautifully decorated and well-maintained, honoring its historic roots with a thoughtful renovation. Guests can also rent bikes to explore the surrounding area.
#5 La villa 10 HÔTEL SPA offers a stylish and modern retreat in the heart of Étretat. Set in a beautiful old building, the rooms are designed with a keen eye for color and style, making every detail picture-perfect. It’s the ideal spot for a relaxing and visually pleasing stay.
Étretat Tourist Map
10 Best Things to Do in Étretat
#1 The Cliffs of Étretat
The Cliffs of Étretat are a stunning natural wonder along the Normandy coast that you simply can’t miss. These impressive chalk cliffs, shaped by millions of years of erosion, stretch along the coastline and offer breathtaking views. The cliffs are made of white chalk interspersed with dark flint layers, creating a fascinating contrast. In some places, the cliffs rise as high as seventy meters above the sea, providing panoramic ocean vistas.
The history of the Cliffs of Étretat dates back to the Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago, when this area was submerged under the sea. Through geological processes and the retreat of the sea, chalk deposits were formed and exposed. These unique formations are especially prominent along the Alabaster Coast (Côte d’Albâtre), a section of the Normandy coast that stretches from Le Tréport to Le Havre. While there are several places along this coast with impressive chalk cliffs, the cliffs of Étretat stand out with their dramatic arches and natural formations, which are unparalleled elsewhere in Normandy.
Fun fact: Across the Channel in southern England, you’ll find similarly beautiful coastlines, such as around Dover, South Downs National Park, and the Jurassic Coast.
Étretat offers several scenic viewpoints from which you can admire the cliffs. The coastal path running along the tops of the cliffs provides a stunning overview of the area. You can start in the village of Étretat and follow the route to various lookout points. The views are especially phenomenal at sunrise and sunset.
#2 Falaise d’Aval, Falaise d’Amont and Aiguille Creuse
The cliffs around Étretat are home to three famous natural formations: Falaise d’Aval, Falaise d’Amont, and Aiguille Creuse. All three can be seen from the beach at Étretat and are a major reason why the cliffs around the village are so renowned.
On the east side of Étretat, you’ll find the Falaise d’Amont. This rock formation has an angular shape, with a tunnel carved into a massive rock face. The Falaise d’Amont is popular to visit, as the steps and path lead past the Jardins d’Étretat and the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Garde. We believe the best view of this rock arch is actually from the pebble beach below. From the village and the promenade, it’s just a short walk.
Tip: As you walk along the pebble beach towards Falaise d’Amont, you’ll see a ladder against the rocks on your right. Climb it to find a tunnel through the rocks leading to a stunning viewpoint. There, you’ll also find a staircase up to the top of the cliffs. Highly recommended!
On the west side of Étretat, the Falaise d’Aval features a distinctive natural arch jutting into the sea. Formed by millions of years of wind and water erosion, this beautiful arch is often compared to an elephant’s trunk and is an iconic image of the region.
The Aiguille Creuse, which translates to “hollow needle,” is a freestanding rock formation just off the coast near the Falaise d’Aval. This sharp, pointed chalk rock rises steeply from the sea and has a striking, slender shape. The Aiguille Creuse gained fame from the works of writer Maurice Leblanc, who used it as a hiding place for his main character, Arsène Lupin.
You can best admire these natural wonders from the beach at Étretat or from the walking paths along the cliffs. Clear routes from the village lead up to the cliffs. From the beach, you can appreciate the unique rock formations, especially at low tide when you can get closer and truly grasp the scale of these impressive rocks.
#4 Jardins d’Étretat
The Jardins d’Étretat are beautiful and popular gardens located atop the cliffs of Étretat. While the viewpoints from the gardens offer breathtaking views of the sea and famous chalk cliffs, it’s the artistic garden itself that makes this a must-visit spot in Étretat.
These gardens uniquely combine art and nature, featuring both art installations within the gardens and the garden itself as a living artwork with its special shapes. Originally created in the nineteenth century by French actress Madame Thébault around her villa, the gardens were completely redesigned in 2017 by landscape architect Alexandre Grivko, who added a modern, surreal twist to the historic setting.
The Jardins d’Étretat consist of several sections, each with its own theme, such as the Garden of Emotions and the Garden of the Sea. Each section features a mix of sculptures and art installations, carefully sculpted hedges, and exotic plants, creating an enchanting landscape. Sculptures by contemporary artists are integrated into the greenery, giving the garden a unique artistic dimension. Think of striking sculptures, perfumes, music, hanging creations, and more. The most famous and social media-friendly are the iconic sphere sculptures with facial expressions.
The gardens are open year-round, and the changing seasons offer a new experience each time. In spring and summer, the flowers bloom abundantly, adding vibrant colors. In winter, evergreen plants and sculptures maintain the garden’s special character.
#4 Vieux Marché, the Old Market Hall
The Vieux Marché is Étretat’s old market hall, built in the sixteenth century. It’s a beautiful example of Norman half-timbered architecture, with its characteristic beams and slate roof, serving as a central point in the village for centuries.
Visiting the Vieux Marché gives you a taste of the authentic atmosphere of a traditional French market hall. While the offerings may not be as authentic as the building itself due to Étretat’s popularity, you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops selling magnets, postcards, and bags, along with regional products like cider and liqueur.
#5 Chapelle Notre-Dame & Monument “L’Oiseau Blanc”
Perched atop the cliffs of Étretat, the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde is a striking symbol of the town. From the chapel, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding cliffs. Built in the nineteenth century, this chapel honors the patron saint of fishermen. The small stone building features a distinctive pointed tower and beautiful stained-glass windows.
Adjacent to the chapel is the monument “L’Oiseau Blanc,” which pays tribute to two French pilots, Charles Nungesser and François Coli. In 1927, they attempted the first non-stop transatlantic flight from Paris to New York. Their plane, “L’Oiseau Blanc” (The White Bird), mysteriously vanished over the Atlantic Ocean. The monument, shaped like a plane’s tail, commemorates their daring attempt and stands as a symbol of courage and adventure.
A visit to the Chapelle Notre-Dame and the “L’Oiseau Blanc” monument usually begins with a climb up the stairs—or a short ride on the tourist train—from the village to the cliff’s summit. The renowned Jardins d’Étretat are right next door.
#6 Chemin des Douaniers Hiking Trail
The Chemin des Douaniers, also known as the GR21, is a picturesque hiking trail that stretches about 180 kilometers along the Normandy Alabaster Coast. This route runs from Le Havre in the southwest to Le Tréport in the northeast, offering hikers a chance to explore some of France’s most stunning coastal landscapes. In 2019, it was voted the most beautiful long-distance hiking trail in France.
The trail is divided into various stages, allowing for both short day hikes and longer treks. One of the most popular sections of the Chemin des Douaniers is the part around Étretat, renowned for its spectacular chalk cliffs and natural formations. Most visitors climb to the top and admire the rock formations directly from there, but it’s highly recommended to walk a longer portion of the path. From Étretat, you can follow the route southwest towards Le Havre or northeast towards Fécamp.
The trail is well-marked with the characteristic red-and-white GR signs (Grande Randonnée) and often follows the cliff edges, providing breathtaking sea views. Along the way, you’ll pass rolling meadows, picturesque villages, and historical landmarks such as old lighthouses and chapels.
#7 Hotel La Residence
Hotel La Residence is a charming hotel in the heart of Étretat, known for its historic charm and elegant architecture. The building dates back to the nineteenth century and exudes the charm of that era with its ornate facades, wooden balconies, and classic Norman half-timbered details. The hotel is just a stone’s throw from the famous cliffs and beach, making it a convenient and picturesque place to stay.
#8 Clos Arsène Lupin
Clos Arsène Lupin is a museum dedicated to the fictional French gentleman-thief Arsène Lupin, created by writer Maurice Leblanc. This nineteenth-century house was once Leblanc’s residence. The building features classic Norman architecture with half-timbered details and a large garden.
The museum offers insights into the life and work of Maurice Leblanc and the world of Arsène Lupin. Inside, you’ll find a collection of personal belongings, manuscripts, and memorabilia that bring the story of the writer and his famous creation to life.
#9 Étretat Beach & Les Planches de l’Etang
The beach of Étretat, located at the foot of the famous cliffs, is a sprawling pebble beach that offers spectacular views of the surrounding rock formations, including the Falaise d’Aval and the Falaise d’Amont. The beach stretches about a kilometer wide and is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. This picturesque beach has a long history as a seaside resort and inspired many artists, including Claude Monet, who captured the cliffs and beach in several paintings.
Les Planches de l’Étang is the wooden promenade along the beach. Built in the nineteenth century, this promenade is a lovely place to stroll along the beach and admire the coastline. There are also some cafes and restaurants nearby. Notably, signs along the beach warn against taking pebbles, as they form the town’s natural defense against the sea and removing them could ultimately endanger the village.
#10 Musée du Patrimoine
Musée du Patrimoine in Étretat focuses on the history and culture of the village and surrounding region. Located near the famous gardens of Étretat, this small museum offers visitors a chance to learn more about the local fishing history, the seaside resort culture of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and the influence of famous artists and writers inspired by the beauty of Étretat.
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