The White Cliffs of Etretat, France – 5 Amazing Things To Do

Are you headed to the white cliffs of Etretat? 

Most people think of Dover, England when they hear “white cliffs.” But the stunning white cliffs of Etretat, France offer a formidable alternative to the English cliffs. On the other side of the English Channel, in northern France, lies this amazing region of white chalk cliffs, remarkably similar to its more famous British counterpart. 

So read about the top 5 things to do on your visit to the White Cliffs of Etretat, France. We will also go through everything you need to know to properly prepare for your visit. You’re gonna love it!

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Etretat Cliffs – Important Information

Where are the White Cliffs of Etretat?

Etretat is a small village located in the Normandy Province of northern France. It’s about a 3 hour drive northwest from Paris. The nearest city is Le Havre. The cliffs rise up from each side of the village and are easily accessible.

How to get to Etretat

The easiest and best way to get to Etretat is to drive yourself. We usually use Discovercars, as we have found themto have by far the best rental rates in Europe, so we recommend them to our readers. You have to pay up front, but the booking is fully refundable, like other rental car agencies.

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There are parking lots in Etretat that cater to morning and afternoon visitors. Just note that during a busy summer day you’ll probably have to wait for a spot.

If you are not driving, Etretat is well connected to the rest of France by bus service. You can take the bus to Gare de Breaute or Le Havre and catch a train to Paris from there. Timetables are available at SNCF Group’s website.

Lastly, it’s possible to visit as part of an organized tour. There are limited day tours that visit Etretat, and usually they combine other nearby places like Rouen. One option is this Rouen, Honfleur, Etretat Small Group Tour on Viator that will pick you up and take you back to Paris should you wish to do that.

Weather and when to visit

You’re in northern Europe so don’t expect weather like Southern California. It’s hit or miss for clear skies. The cliffs will still look stunning in overcast skies though! Summers are pleasant and winters are cool, but not too cold. 

The best time to visit Etretat is probably in Spring before it gets really crowded. Due to its location in heavily populated northern France, it gets a lot of visitors in the summer. The village itself is tiny and with a lot of other visitors it can feel very crowded. 

Luckily once you’re out on the trails climbing the cliffs you’ll have room to spread out, though there will still be people everywhere. In the Spring and Fall there will be less people overall. Winter is the least crowded time, but obviously not the best for weather. This part of Europe is pretty dreary in the winter so it’s probably best to avoid winter.

Parking in Etretat

There is a large parking lot right by the beach, but it will often be full. We parked at the top of the cliffs at the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, which was great because it was free. This lot, however, is quite small so you’ll need some luck to get a spot in the summer. In the Spring and Fall you’re likely to be able to park easily, though.

Language

Etretat is a tourist town, but this is France after all. Don’t expect everyone to be able to communicate with you in English. Restaurants will have English menus but your server might not speak much English. You’ll get by without knowing any French though. 

Food

In general, the food in Etretat is overpriced and unappealing. If you look on Google Maps you’ll see that most of the restaurants have awful reviews. This area is known for mussels, but I didn’t find anything special about them. It’s likely that whatever restaurant you stop at will be disappointing, so set your expectations accordingly.

Money

The currency in France is the Euro. Etretat is not expensive, but also not as cheap as many places in France. It’s a town that survives solely on tourism and the prices reflect that. You don’t technically need cash, but it’s good to have some anyways.

Where to stay in Etretat

There are quite a few overpriced boutique hotels in Etretat as well as a campground and numerous Airbnb rentals. It’s a tourist town so it caters to visitors. It’s small though and doesn’t really need an entire day to visit. So consider staying elsewhere in one of the more major cities like Le Havre or Rouen. Prices will be cheaper and the food options will be better.

How long to spend in Etretat

A few hours will be more than sufficient to visit the town, walk all along the cliffs and have an overpriced lunch. Visitors to Etretat are usually day trippers and most don’t stay the entire day. We spent about 4 hours total, including lunch, and found it more than adequate. Should you spend the night, though, you can experience sunset from atop the cliffs, which most people do not get to do.

Travel insurance

If you’re visiting Etretat from overseas, it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance so that you’re protected for the unexpected. We use World Nomads when we travel abroad. World Nomads provides coverage to travelers in over 100 countries. You can search for a coverage plan using the link below.

Etretat – The Lay of the Land

The white cliffs of Etretat span a total about 80 miles along the Alabaster Coast of northern France. They run from just west of Etretat to nearly all the way to the other side of the Cliffs of Dover, near Calais.

The most stunning rock formations are on either side of the town of Etretat though. In this area, the cliffs rise as high as 90 meters (295 ft) in some locations. There are also natural arches and columns of rock rising from the sea.

In the town itself there is a long pebble beach. You can walk along the beach, but the cliff views won’t be as great as at the top. On either side of the beach there is a trail that leads up the hills to the top of the cliffs. I suggest going to each side, as they each offer unique views. 

On the top of the cliffs to the west side of town there is a golf course, should you fancy some golf. To the east, atop the cliffs lies a stunning old church, Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. The views of the town and beach below with the church are to die for.

Now let’s get into the top 5 things to do in Etretat, France!

1) Get Some Awesome View of the Cliffs of Etretat

There are a ton of fantastic spots to view the cliffs. Below is a list of some of the locations you will want to stop at to get some spectacular views. Links and locations are based on what is available on Google Maps so they are easy to locate once you’re there. 

• Plateforme de vue sur les falaises d’Etretat: There are views in all direction from this point, but the view back towards the town was my favorite. 
• Falaise La Manneporte: Great views of the arch looking back towards the town.
• Chapelle des pêcheurs: Right in front of the church there are some benches with a great view of the beach and town below with the west side cliffs in the background. 
• Étretat vue Panoramique: This is the place to go to get the church and the cliffs together in the same view. There is an open field here so you can freely move around to find your favorite spot. 

2) Hike the White Cliffs of Etretat

You don’t need to be in tip top shape to enjoy walking around the cliffs. This isn’t a hike through the Dolomites by any stretch of the imagination. The trail along the cliff is easy to follow and provides access to the best viewpoints. Once you do the initial climb to the top of the cliffs on each side of town it’s essentially flat at the top.

The trail itself is part of an extended hiking trail known as the GR21. Should you wish for an epic French hiking adventure, this trail stretches 116 miles (185 km) along the Alabaster Coast. The most popular part is right in Etretat though.

The West Side

The cliffs on the west side of town are a bit more expansive than the eastern cliffs. Follow the trail up to the top of the cliffs and wander around. It’s acceptable to go off the trails but make sure not to get too close to the edges of the cliffs. Don’t become a statistic on a French government website.

Continue at least as far as Falaise La Manneporte before you turn back. That would make a hike of 1 km from the beach below. 

The East Side

The east side has fewer places to wander around but offers cliff views with the old church. The trail up to the church (or down if you’ve parked there) is not as clear-cut as the west side. You have to walk along the road for a while before hitting the trail. See the map below. 

You are free to frolic in the fields behind the church. Just make sure to go at least as far as La Falaise d’Amont before you turn back. Again, it’s about 1 km of walking from the beach below. So if you do the walks I’ve suggested you will total about 4 km (2.5 miles). It will take a while though, as you’ll be stopping so many times for gorgeous photos. 

3) Take a Boat Tour

Want a more up close and personal experience with the cliffs? Maybe a boat tour is right up your alley. For 38 Euros The Sea for All will take you speeding by the cliffs and through the natural arches. Refer to their website for more information. The boat departs from Fecamp, about 20 minutes up the road from Etretat.

4) Explore Etretat Town

The town of Etretat itself is not quite as charming or beautiful as other small villages in northern France. There are some cute old buildings but nothing really stands out. Don’t plan on spending much time in the town itself. The main attraction here is the cliffs. 

Things to do in Etretat Town

If you’re spending an entire day in Etretat there are a few other things to do for when you get bored of looking at beautiful white cliffs. 

Jardins d’Etretat (Etretat Gardens)

The Etretat Gardens are sort of a hybrid manicured garden and sculpture park. Among the well-trimmed plants and bushes you’ll find giant sculptures of baby heads making all sorts of faces. It’s pretty weird overall, but it’s a popular thing to visit when in Etretat. It’s at the top of the hill to the east of town, near the chapel, and entry is 12 euros. 

Monument “l’Oiseau Blanc” – Nungesser et Coli

This monument atop the hill to the east of town is dedicated to French aviators François Coli and Charles Nungesser. The ambitious friends set out to cross the Atlantic in their plane Oiseau Blanc (the White Bird) in May of 1927. The plane took off from Paris and was last seen flying over the Etretat cliffs. The plane was never found and remains one of the many mysteries of the early days of aviation. 

Grab a bite at a café in the town center

I mentioned before that I thought the food at the restaurants was overpriced and mediocre and I stick by that. But you should still have a quick jot through the town to find somewhere to eat before leaving Etretat. Just stay away from the touristy looking restaurants and instead head to La Flottille for some mussels in white wine. 

5) Take a Road Trip Through Normandy

We stopped by Etretat as part of a longer road trip through Normandy and northern France. Without going into detail, here are some of the other spots to be sure not to miss when driving through northern France. 

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most recognizable places in the world. What can you say about Mont Saint-Michel? The medieval commune on a small island just off the coast is visited by nearly 3 million people every year. Exploring the little streets and the main abbey is a delightful way to spend a morning. Everyone must see Mont Saint-Michel at some point. 

Omaha Beach and Normandy’s WW2 History

For anyone interested in World War 2 history the beaches of Normandy are a must-see destination. It’s surreal to stand on the bunkers where the Nazis waited for the Allied invasion on D-day in 1944. There is not a whole lot to do at the beaches except take in the history and try not to be troubled by the horrors that took place here.

For Americans, there is an American cemetery where many of the fallen American soldiers are buried, should you wish to pay your respects.

Bayeux

A small city near the coast with a lovely central cathedral. The streets of Bayeux are simply stunning and easy to wander around. When exploring the city, it’s hard to believe it was occupied by the Nazis during the war. But to remind you, the Museum of the Battle of Normandy is right at the edge of the city center.

Rouen

A ways off the coast, Rouen is the capital of the Normandy province. The skyline of the city is dominated by medieval cathedrals, but perhaps it’s most known for being where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431. There are many things to do in Rouen and it’s very easy to fill up a day exploring this beautiful city.

Lille

Not in Normandy, but easy to add to your itinerary if you’re starting in Belgium or the Netherlands. I was not expecting much from the city of Lille, but I was pleasantly surprised with how lovely it was. Lille is near the border with Belgium and it’s feel is a mix of French and Flemish. Add in some amazing crème brûlée and Lille is definitely worth a stop! 

Etretat Cliffs – Frequently Asked Questions

Final Word

The White Cliffs of Etretat will blow you away. I was expecting them to be nice, but was totally unprepared for how spectacular they were. Pictures don’t even do the cliffs justice. You’ll just have to see for yourself. So be sure to stop by Etretat when you’re taking a journey through Northern France. Or even take a day trip from Paris. No matter how you get there, it will be worth it!