Cliffs tower over the ocean with green fields

Étretat

Chalk cliffs, a pebble beach and sea-cut stone arches on the Alabaster Coast, a short drive from Le Havre.

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Étretat is a small seaside town on the Alabaster Coast of Normandy, in the Seine-Maritime department of northern France, a short drive from Le Havre. People come for the tall white chalk cliffs and the natural stone arches the sea has cut into them. The Aiguille, a pillar of rock off the cliffs, and the two arches, Porte d'Amont and Porte d'Aval, are the main sights from the shingle beach. Claude Monet painted the cliffs here in the 1880s.

Most visitors plan a day trip or a short stay. A few hours is enough to see the beach and the cliff views, while a full day leaves room for the longer cliff paths and a meal on the seafront. Notre-Dame de la Garde chapel sits on the clifftop above the town and can be reached on foot from the beach. Wear shoes with grip on the pebbles, and stay behind the railings near the cliff edge, since the chalk erodes.

Étretat in five

Arrive by car, bus or tourThere is no train station in Étretat. Most visitors drive from Le Havre or come on a day trip from Paris. A regional bus links the town with Le Havre, so check the Nomad timetable before you plan the day.
Walk the Falaise d'Aval and Falaise d'AmontBoth clifftop paths start in town and give the classic arch views. The grass can be slippery and the edge is unfenced in places, so wear grippy shoes and stay on the paths.
Check tide times for the beach and the archesThe shingle beach narrows at high tide and the foot of the cliffs is dangerous when the sea comes in. Check the local tide table before walking below the cliffs.
Park early or use the outer car parks in summerThe town center fills by mid-morning in summer and on weekends. Arrive before 10am or use the outer car parks, and expect a short walk down to the sea.
Combine it with Honfleur or Le HavreA day trip from Paris can add Honfleur across the Seine estuary, and Le Havre is the nearest large town. Pair two Normandy stops by car rather than relying on buses.Honfleur travel guide

Things to do in Étretat

See all attractions in Étretat

Viewpoint · ÉtretatFalaise d'AvalArrive early or late in the day for fewer crowds and softer light for photos.

Viewpoint · ÉtretatFalaise d'AvalGo early in the morning. The side with the arch fills up, and parking is easier before the crowds arrive.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ÉtretatPut the places you like in Étretat on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: No airport; Paris (CDG, Orly) is the usual gateway
Getting there: Car about 3 hours from Paris; bus from Le Havre; day tours from Paris
Getting around: On foot in town; clifftop paths
Best base: Étretat for sunsets; Le Havre for trains
Time needed: Half a day; 1 night for sunset and sunrise

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh8°Low5°Cold, windy
FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Cold, gray
MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Cool, fresh
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Spring, showers
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Mild, long days
JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Warm, busy
JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Warm, busy
AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Warm, busy
SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Mild, calmer
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Cool, wet
NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low9°Cold, storm risk
DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Cold, quiet

Average daily high and low in Étretat, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Étretat

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 7°
Humidity: 72%
Wind: 29 km/h
Chance of rain: 98%

Étretat

09:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today13°8°98%Monday: Rain. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 98%.
Tue12°5°18%Tuesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 18%.
Wed9°3°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu9°5°1%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 1%.
Fri12°4°20%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 20%.
Sat10°2°13%Saturday: Rain. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 13%.
Sun9°1°23%Sunday: Fog. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 23%.

Updated 07:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Étretat

Car for Normandy's coastPick up in Le Havre or RouenCompare car rental

Étretat day trip from ParisCoach and a guide or free timeCompare day trips

eSIM for the Normandy coastTide tables and bus times offlineRead the guide

Insurance for coastal walksCover for cliff walks and trip changesRead the guide

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Rules for Étretat, checked

France is in the Schengen area. Check visa rules and EU Entry/Exit System (EES) registration on the French visa portal before you travel.Source
The chalk cliffs erode and fall. Keep off closed paths and stay behind the railings at the cliff edge.
Drone flights follow French civil aviation rules. Check the DGAC guidance before you fly one.
Dial 112 for police, fire and ambulance anywhere in the EU, including Étretat.
Service is included in French bills, so tips are small and optional. Rounding up is the usual custom.

Plan around Étretat

All of France

Regions, cities and how to plan the whole trip

Read the guide Le Havre

Port city and the nearest train link

Read the guide Honfleur

Harbor town across the estuary

Read the guide Rouen

A Gothic city on the Seine

Read the guide Plan your transport

Cars, rail and coach options

Read the guide

Étretat FAQ

Is Étretat worth visiting?

Yes if you like dramatic coastal scenery. The cliffs and arches are the point, and the walk takes a few hours. Skip it if you dislike crowds in July and August.

How do you get to Étretat without a car?

By bus from Le Havre or on a day tour from Paris. There is no train station in the town, and bus times vary by season, so check the regional timetable the day before.

Is Étretat a day trip from Paris?

Yes, but it is a long one: about 3 hours each way by car or tour coach. A night in Étretat or Le Havre gives you a calmer morning on the cliffs.

How long do you need in Étretat?

Half a day covers the town and one clifftop walk. A full day lets you do both cliffs and the beach. Stay a night if you want the arches at sunrise or sunset.

When is the best time to visit Étretat?

May to June and September for lighter crowds and mild weather. July and August are busiest, and winter storms can close paths. Check weather before you walk the cliffs.