11 Best Things To Do In Etretat, France

Are you looking for the best things to do in Etretat? 

Étretat is a small seaside village in the Normandy region of France, situated along a broad pebbly beach. It has one of the most beautiful coastlines you’ll ever see, with spectacular white cliffs jutting out from the water.

RELATED READ: 9 Best Hotels In Etretat

Etretat, which is only a two-hour drive from Paris, has long been a popular destination for city dwellers in search of fresh sea air and clear blue skies. This is the ideal weekend getaway or a day trip from Paris, and if you want to make the most of your time there, check out this list of the best things to do in Étretat.

11 Best Things To Do In Etretat, France

1. Climb up to Notre Dame de la Garde for Stunning Views

The Notre Dame de la Garde chapel, which was built in 1950, is a relatively recent structure. This chapel was built to replace a former chapel dedicated to fishermen and sailors, which was demolished by Nazis in 1942.

The chapel’s best feature is its hull-shaped nave, which evokes an environment familiar to sailors and fishermen.

If you are going to visit Etretat, consider climbing up here. The ascent to the chapel provides a good opportunity to take in more panoramic views of the Etretat cliffs from a higher vantage point.

2. Get to Know the Oiseau Blanc

A sculpture in the shape of a white arrow stands behind Notre Dame de la Garde’s chapel, honoring François Coli and Charles Nungesser, the two aviators who made the first attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean on May 8, 1927, aboard the Oiseau Blanc (the White Bird), a brand new large Levasseur biplane that was immaculate white.

The plane took off from Paris Bourget airport at 5.18 a.m. and was last seen flying over the Etretat cliffs at 6.05 a.m. The Oiseau Blanc vanished into the haze after that.

The Oiseau Blanc never made it to New York, and its disappearance remains one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. In the modest museum adjacent to the artwork, visitors interested in the history of the Oiseau Blanc can learn more about the plane and project.

3. Stroll along the Promenade

A must-visit on the Etretat coast is the dike promenade that runs along the beach. This beautiful promenade area provides a great opportunity for a stroll and a closer look at the Etretat cliffs.

Concrete bunkers built into the rock can be found in several locations near the promenade.  During World War II, the Nazis created them as a defense against the Allies. To learn more about these structures, you may look at the information panels that provide historical information about these sites.

This part of town can be very crowded, yet it remains one of the best places to visit in Etretat due to the breathtaking views.

4. Explore the Etretat Cliffs

Etretat’s coastline is a small pebble beach with two massive white chalk cliffs on either side. These granite formations have been sculpted by wind and water for thousands of years. The cliffs of Etretat, with their towering arches, provide a one-of-a-kind spectacle and are a natural oddity that must be seen on every visit to Normandy.

At any time of the year, travelers from all over the world go to Etretat’s distinctive cliffs. Even in the winter months, the cliffs are rarely empty. Come early in the morning before the masses arrive for a stunning view of these majestic cliffs.

5. Go on a Low Tide Tour Under the Cliffs

Visitors who are looking for something different to do can explore beyond Etretat’s main beach at low tide.

To get to different beaches, there are cuts in the cliffs to go down or through at the base. This requires you to walk on ladders and rocks, but it’s a lot of fun!

On both sides of Etretat, there are interesting pathways to discover that provide a different perspective on the area.

Just be careful not to get stranded: start before low tide, and don’t remain still under the cliffs because small rocks can fall any time.

6. Relax at Étretat Beach

After a stroll along the promenade and a visit to the chapel, one of the best things to do in Etretat is to cool off by swimming or lying on the beach.

Although the area is pebbly rather than sandy, it is one of those ‘smooth pebble’ beaches that are pleasant to walk on and lie down on.

However, because the beach is a popular hangout spot, the place gets easily crowded. Be sure to get there early to get the best places!

7. Visit the Etretat Gardens

Etretat is a place where art and life collide, where the cliffs and skies have long served as a source of inspiration for painters. Etretat has recently created a garden that embodies that artistic spirit.

The garden, easily one of the best things to see in Etretat, is a one-of-a-kind destination where nature and art are inextricably linked.

The garden is located on top of the cliffs, not far from the chapel, and overlooks the famous ‘Etretat Needle’ ridge.

Here, landscape art and land sculptures are mixed in a district way. They were created by Alexandre Grivko, a well-known landscape architect. Grivko was inspired by the Normandy coast’s vegetation to create a complicated and beautiful installation.

8. Stop by the Old Covered Market

A trip to Etretat isn’t complete without stopping by the covered market. This timber-frame-covered market with attractive stores dominates the town’s market square.

Aside from shopping, the plaques covering the structure may provide a bit of a history lesson. These feature details about British and American military ties to Etretat, including a description of a British hospital built in the town during World War I and a memorial to the 550 British soldiers who died there.

9. Visit the Clos Arsène Lupin

Spend an afternoon at The Clos Lupin – Maison Maurice Leblanc, a two-story mansion that once belonged to Arsène Lupin’s creator, French writer Maurice Leblanc. 

He was born in Rouen, but moved to Etretat in 1918 and created 19 novels and short tales about Arsène Lupin. The series became a popular children book in France and eventually, a hit Netflix series in French. 

The Clos Lupin visit is a lot of fun. Through a scenographic pathway in an early-century decoration, learn about the greatest of the thieves and assist him in solving the Hollow Needle’s riddle.

10. Walk Around Etretat Town Centre

Tourists and residents alike crowd the streets of Etretat’s town center. Etretat is all you’d expect from a French town, with its beautiful boutique stores, small quirky galleries, and a plethora of cafés.

A variety of structures are constructed in the region’s attractive timber architecture, like the ones in the Alsace. A French crêpe (or two!) is also readily available throughout the town. Cider is a local specialty that makes for a refreshing drink in between your tour of the town center. 

11. Experience French Country Living in a Fancy Accommodation like Les Tilleuls 

 

 

 

 

 

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Les Tilleuls is a magnificent 18th-century villa with all the trappings of a family estate turned into a rural retreat. Staying here is one of the top things to do in Etretat if you are seeking more upscale lodgings.

The guestrooms at Les Tilleuls are bright and airy, with large beds and windows that have views of the lush garden. Classic French breakfasts are served in the charming country home kitchen dining area, with açai bowls, croissants, crisp baguette, pains au chocolat, and homemade jams.

Check their latest rate here.

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