24 Hours in Étretat, Normandy: A Photo Essay

The French have been fans of Étretat for decades: Claude Monet reproduced it countless times in his paintings, Guy de Maupassant wrote about it, and the coastal town even made a brief appearance in Luc Besson’s film, Lucy.

Étretat, Normandy

Known for its quintessential coastline adorned with naturally-formed arches and cliffs – falaises in French – this commune in Upper Normandy has become a popular vacation spot, making for the perfect day trip.

Étretat, Normandy

I decided to take a day trip from Paris to Normandy and spent 24 hours in Étretat visiting its charming town, beach, and hiking its chalk-white cliffs.

Étretat, Normandy

At just two and a half hours away by drive, getting to Étretat from Paris is easiest by car. If you’re looking to get there by bus or train, you’ll need to transfer in Le Havre. Once there, walk through the town’s charming city centre to get to the coast. With typical Normandy facades, it’s a quaint little town; however, beware of the many tourist traps that dot the walkway to the shore.

Étretat, Normandy

On my visit, I discover that the trail is quite pleasant and not too difficult as the path isn’t steep. There are also plenty of rest spots along the way, which I take advantage of as it’s scorching hot out.

Étretat, Normandy

At the very top, the view immediately takes my breath away. Depending on which side you are on, the main rock formations you’ll see from the top are: La Manneporte and l’Arche & l’Aiguille. This is the best time to take your camera out and snap photos!

Étretat, Normandy

By the time I make it to the boardwalk, the sun begins to set. I take a seat on the beach and enjoy an impressive sunset.

Étretat, Normandy

Surrounded by towering cliffs, Étretat’s pebbled beach is perfect for relaxing after the long walk up.

Étretat, Normandy

After the sun sets, it begins to drizzle. As I make my way back to the car, the inevitable rain hits and the breeze I was hoping for early on has turned into a shivering storm. That’s the thing with Étretat – the weather can be quite unpredictable.

Étretat, Normandy

Before You Go:
– Wear comfortable shoes for the walking trail & the beach.
– As I mentioned, the weather can change often throughout the day – I began my trip in a sundress and ended it in a rainstorm, wrapped in a blanket scarf!
– Bring your camera – the view from the top of the cliffs, as you can see, is breathtaking.

Étretat, Normandy

Have you seen the magnificent cliffs and arches in Étretat? Let me know in the comments below!

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