France > France travel > Normandy > Etretat
Etretat, Normandy - travel guide
Etretat is found in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, 20 kilometres north of Le Havre. The town is on the Normandy coast, and is renowned for its 70 metre high picture postcard white cliffs, and the arches and tunnels in the cliffs that jut out to sea, and a large rock needle. Both the cliffs and village are the scenic highlight of the region and not to be missed if you visiting this part of Normandy.
Apart from the cliffs there are three main 'formations':
- the falaise d'aval and the aiguille ('downstream cliff and needle);
- the manneporte, a second natural rock arch;
- the falaise d'amont ('upstream cliff'), a think rock that juts into the sea
There is a small popular pebble beach below the cliffs.
The impressiveness of the location has long been recognised - Monet, Maupassant and Flaubert were all enthusiasts of the region around the town, and Monet painted several well known pictures of the coast and cliffs around Etretat.
When you have had enough of striding around on the clifftops admiring the views, and have ambled along to the little Notre Dame church for more impressive views, notably of the 'arche de la falaise d'aval' (pictured below), be sure to visit the town itself.
Etretat is an attractive town - from the pebble beach and promenade in the town you can further admire the cliffs to either side, then you should take a look in the old market hall on the Place Foch - it has been attractively restored in the medieval wooden structure, although it is more devoted to tourist shops than fruit and vegetables now.
The square has some very attractive and interesting medieval half-timbered buildings around its four sides, with elaborate wood carvings.
Etretat also offers a fine selection of souvenir shops and restaurants specialising in fish, oysters, moules frites, and crepes to enjoy after you have walked the popular promenade along the sea front.
Etretat: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
|
|
Visit Etretat, France
|
|
Map of Etretat, France |
Travel, hotels and holiday gites, Etretat
See the Visit Etretat section above for gites and hotels local to the area. For more general French travel options, see the Gites in France listings, or French holidays for other holidays, and Travel to France for ferries, Etretat car-hire, eurotunnel, cheap flights etc.
Places to visit - Etretat
Any places listed above are within about 20-25 km (as the crow flies)
Information and photos of Etretat, France
This Etretat tourism guide, has information and holidays and photos when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.
Comments
You can help? Post a relevant comment for visitors to this page!
