Things to do in Etretat (Normandy) – weekend or holidays

Top 3 things to do in Etretat - Why visit?

I will list in more details in this article with plenty of pictures all the things to do in the famous town of Etretat, Normandy. But let's start with a brief snapshot to get you excited, or to satisfy those who don't wan't to read it all.

1. Walk up to l'Aiguille Creuse & past it - "Falaise d'aval"

Etretat is especially famous for its white cliffs. It is part of the Côte d'Albâtre where the high cliffs are made of chalk.
At Etretat, there are several arches and seastacks. Most are on the South side called "Falaise d'Aval".
One formation is famous at it is known as " l'Aiguille Creuse " (the empty needle), where the fictional character Arsène Lupin (invented by author Maurice Leblanc) hides things.
But, more than that, you can walk a lot along the cliffs for some impressive views in every direction. Some of the best landscapes in Normandy.

2. Visit the Etretat Gardens

Etretat is a place where art mixes with reality. For a long time painters have been inspired by the cliffs and the skies.
In recent times, Etretat has developed a garden with that spirit in mind.
It is quite a unique place to visit as the nature is really connected with the art.

3. Go on a low tide adventure under the cliffs

At low tide, you can explore more than just the main beach of Etretat. 
There are cuts in the cliffs to go down, or go through at the base, to be able to access other beaches. This requires walking on ladders and rocks but it is quite a fun adventure!
There are interesting paths on both side of Etretat. 
Just beware: start before low tide to not get stuck and don't stand under the cliffs without moving, rocks fall frequently.

Etretat in video

I still need to film under the South cliffs, so the video will be published later.

Planning Tips - Etretat, Normandy

This highlight (with GPS coordinates and practical tips)  is included in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you early plan your road trip around Normandy:

Explore the village Center - a few old buildings

Etretat is famous for the surrounding nature.
In terms of architecture, Etretat is not the best village in Normandy but it still offers a few interesting buildings.

The center is not big, you can easily walk around to enjoy the few central streets.

Marché Couvert

Manoir de la Salamandre

The most noticeable building in the town center is between the Casino and the market place. Don't forget to look up!
You will notice the Manoir de la Salamandre, which is a hotel (see photos and availability).

This is quite an intriguing building with wood, colorful shingles and strange shape. It was built by copying a medieval house from another town (la maison Plantefor in Lisieux) which was destroyed in 1899. It is not an exact replica, but it kept the overall look.

Architecture

You can find a few more houses with 'colombages' (half-timbered) which are typical of Normandy, but you will also find many bicolor brick houses from the 20th century which are also typical of the area.

The main church of Etretat - Notre Dame de l'Assomption

A little further from the beach, you will find the main church of Etretat (not to be mixed up with the famous chapel which is at the top of the cliff).
It is not one of the touristic spots. However, it is a typical roman and gothic church with few decors.

Le château des Aygues

Etretat also has a little castle. Two Queens of Spain have enjoyed this place several times.
It was built in the middle of the 19th century overlooking the town and it is today a protected historical building.
It can be visited in the afternoon in Summer but may be closed some weeks. Contact them first to know if it is opened (see their facebook page)

Etretat's Beach & Promenade

Or you can go down to the beach itself. One of the best beaches in Normandy for the scenery.
Just know that it is a beach covered with pebbles, so if you are not used to it, it might not be so easy to walk on it. Although the pebbles are not as big as in Le Havre, so I find it a little easier.

I recommend you visit at low and high tides because it looks completely different.

These views have inspired many artists, especially the impressionists such as Claude Monet.
Have a break and admire the show. It is even better with some clouds!

Etretat is also great to watch the sunset!

Aiguille Creuse and South cliffs ("Falaise d'Aval")

Now let's get serious and go explore those cliffs.
Starting with the South Cliffs which are known as 'Falaise d'Aval'.

Climbing the side of the cliff

L'Aiguille Creuse

Once at the top you can explore around L'aiguille creuse.
The cliffs here are 80m high. And there are views in all directions.
This is the closest you can get to those pinnacle formations which were transformed into a fort. You can take a second bridge to access a small cave known as 'La chambre des demoiselles'. Legends of ghosts surround it.

From the top of Porte d'Aval you also enjoy a beautiful view of the other giant arch of Etretat: Manneporte.

And if you keep walking South, you will enjoy better views of the seastack known as L'Aiguille creuse.
The name means hollow needle. It is 55m in height (at the moment, but erosion keeps happening).
It has become famous thanks to the adventure of the fictional character Arsène Lupin, invented by Maurice Leblanc. He was supposed to have hidden a treasure inside.

On top of Manneporte

I recommend you keep walking a little further South. All the way to Manneporte.
You can go on top of it.
This is the best place to appreciate the sea stack and the main arch of Etretat.

And if you look in the opposite direction, you can see more cliffs and on a clear day, you can notice the lighthouse of Antifer in the distance.

Chapel, Gardens and Northern Cliffs ("Falaise d'Amont")

Now let's head to the North. This is a completely different experience.

This chapel is often the one people have in mind when they say the church of Etretat.
It was first built around 1855 and is dedicated to the Holy Virgin. However, is was destroyed in 1942 by the Germans and a new one was rebuilt and inaugurated in 1950 (with a very different style).
It is considered as a chapel for sailors protecting them from the top of the cliffs. Notice the gargoyles in the shape of fish.
This is one of my favorite chapels in Normandy.

From the front of the chapel, you have a splendid view of the beach with the grey pebbles, the town to the left, and the south cliffs to the right with the first arch and the pinnacle. I can just sit there for hours looking at the view.

Another attraction next to the chapel is the Monument dedicated to Nungesser and Coli. They were French world war aviation heroes and attempted the first non-stop flight between paris and New York. But their plane L'Oiseau Blanc disappeared in 1927. And its story remains a mystery.

This 24m arrow was erected in 1963. And it my opinion it goes perfectly with the tower of the church and the pinnacle in the cliff.
You can also find a small museum on the subject, more on that in the next section.

Then I recommend you enter the garden: 'les jardins d'Etretat'. This attraction combines art with nature.
You will find a historical plant collection from Madame Thébault, magnificent trees and thought-provoking pieces of art.
I think the most famous (and photographed) are the 'Drops of Rain'. These are 7 sculptures by artist Samuel Salcedo focusing on the range of human emotions.

Next you can keep walking North to enjoy the cliffs.

After just a few minutes walking, you will find a staircase.
If it is a clear day, and even if you don't go all the way down, I recommend you go down to the first viewing platform (if you feel you can walk back up).

Why? Because you can see the coast and its cliffs for a long distance. This is quite impressive.

However, from this point I have to stop you.
If you want to keep going on this adventure, know that:

1. You should only go at low tide
2. You are ready to cross a tunnel and go down a ladder and a wall of pebbles to get back to town (or walk all the way back up the way you came).

The rest of the path is quite steep and narrow. You walk inside the side of the cliff.

Once at the bottom you will find the tunnel. But before crossing, I recommend you explore this side. There is a magnificent view of the Northern arch from this side (which I had to miss because I was alone, and I was afraid my ankles would not be strong enough for the terrain - I often twist them). 

After you have enjoyed the view, it is time to walk back to town.
You can cross the tunnel under the cliff. it is called "tunnel du chaudron" (tunnel of the cauldron). The entrance looks low, but you don't have to bend that much after.
Then there is a ladder to reach the beach and a wall of pebbles to reach water level. If you don't feel confident in the pebbles, just sit down.

And as you walk back to town, the views are magnificent.

Remember that there is always a risk of falling rocks close to the cliff.

Etretat Museums & activities

What else to do in Etretat? Let's have a look at the activities and museums to visit in town.

Etretat with Kids

Planning to visit Etretat with kids? Here are the best activities in my opinion:

• Cliffs - They should enjoy exploring the cliffs but make sure they are reasonable. The cliffs can be dangerous, and cray is not the most solid. Do not go close to the edge.
• Museum - The Clos Arsène Lupin is a fun adventure and the character has always been a favorite with kids
• Garden - The Gardens on the Northern cliffs could also be a good choice, since they feel like a labyrinth
• Plane - while you are at the top of the Northern cliffs, next to the museum you can see the plane on the ground in mortar representing l'Oiseau Blanc
• Playground - still on the northern cliff, the Parc des Roches has a public garden, a playground, a mini-golf... open every afternoon in Summer and otherwise during the school holidays
• Tree adventure - 5km away from Etretat, you can enjoy forest acrobatic course (including a 220m zip line) - programs from 3 years old.
• Family adventure - rent a rail cycle to explore the 12km return line between the Etretat and Les Loges stations - starts in Les Loges.

Weekend or Holidays in Etretat - excursions in the region

A weekend in Etretat

If you have only a weekend or a long weekend in Etretat, I recommend that you only focus on the town and the cliffs.
Enjoy all the different walks and perspective.
First check out the tide times and organize your stay around them.

Holidays in Etretat

If you are lucky enough to spend longer in Etretat there are other attractions in the region, worth visiting

• Antifer - Saint Jouin beach - for another perspective on cliffs, check out the wider beach of Jouin, next to the Antifer port.
• Le Havre - 30min away the experience is totally different. Visit this Unesco site where art mixes with a special architecture invented by Auguste Perret for the re-building post WWII. See my article
• Yport and Fécamp - 30min away you can explore the town of Fécamp with exquisite buildings such as the Benedictine and a long sailing history (and its museum) - see my article about Fécamp
• Honfleur - only 45 min away you can discover the charming old town of Honfleur which has also inspired many painters - on the way you will enjoy the Normandy bridge - see my article
• Veules les Roses - 1h away, it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy - see my article
• Parc de Clères - if you want to see a few animals, head to the park. It is a 1h10min drive.
• and so many other walks and gardens, abbeys,...

Planning a trip to Normandy? 

Check out my travel guide to help you plan: