Étretat from Rouen

Facing the sea, the falaise d'Aval is on the left with its great arch, the Porte d'Aval, and the Aiguille, a needle 51 m high. Further along hides the Manneporte, an even bigger arch. The falaise d'Amont is on the right: Maupassant saw its arch as an elephant dipping its trunk into the water.

On the falaise d'Amont, the coastal path leads to the Notre-Dame de la Garde chapel, dedicated to sailors, and to the monument to the aviators Nungesser and Coli. The site is home to seabirds, including peregrine falcons and cormorants, and to protected plants.

Down below, the seafront still shows traces of the old fishing village: capstans for hauling boats up onto the pebbles, and caloges, old boats topped with thatch. Painters followed: Isabey from 1820, then Boudin, Monet and many others.

Falaise d'Aval, Porte d'Aval and the Aiguille

The arch carved by the waves and the 51 m needle that made Étretat famous. Free access.

Falaise d'Amont

The marked path runs past the Notre-Dame de la Garde chapel and the Nungesser and Coli monument, with views over the whole bay. Free access.

Beach and seafront promenade

The pebble seafront, with the old fishermen's capstans and caloges. Free access.

Le Clos Lupin, Maurice Leblanc's house

The home of the author of Arsène Lupin, visited as a staged tour in eight stages. €8.50 (reduced €6.50, under-12s €6).

Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church

A large Romanesque and Gothic church begun in the twelfth century, a few steps from the centre. Free entry.

Étretat on the map

Tap a point to see its name. Base map © OpenStreetMap, Protomaps.

Getting there from Rouen

By train

Direct Nomad train from Rouen to Le Havre: 45 min on the fastest service, 23 trains a day, first departure around 6:07 and last around 23:05.

Then by coach

Nomad coach line 509 (Le Havre - Fécamp) from the Le Havre Gare Routière stop, connecting with the train, to the Étretat Mairie stop: about 50 min on direct services. The line runs all year round, 7 days out of 7, bank holidays included, except 1 May. Timetables differ on weekdays, Sundays and in summer.

Coach fare

Nomad single ticket from €2 to €5 depending on the number of zones crossed, sold on board, on the Atoumod app or via Fairtiq. If you buy your train ticket on SNCF Connect, the coach is added as a flat fare of €2.90.

Top tip

The Pass Normandie Découverte covers 2 people for unlimited travel over 2 days by Nomad train or coach in Normandy: €20 at the weekend, €35 for 2 consecutive weekdays.

Prices and opening hours

Prices

The cliffs, the beach and the church are free to visit. Le Clos Lupin charges admission: €8.50 (reduced €6.50, under-12s €6).

Opening hours

Natural site open to all, all year round. The seafront promenade and the beach are closed when strong wind or storm warnings are issued, especially under Météo-France orange or red alerts. Le Clos Lupin opens at weekends out of season, with longer hours during the school holidays.

Prices and times can change: check the official website before you go.

Top tips

• Stay on the marked paths and at least 5 m from the edge at the top of the cliffs: a municipal by-law requires it, rockfalls are frequent and the cliff is receding.
• Don't walk at the foot of the cliffs: beach access is banned across the whole town, except in front of the seafront promenade. The Trou à l'Homme, the Chambre des Demoiselles, the path down to the Chaudron and the tunnels are off limits. You can be fined, and a non-urgent rescue may be charged to you.
• Check the tide times before you go (the town's website points to maree.shom.fr): the rising tide quickly cuts off the foot of the cliffs.
• Don't pick up pebbles: they protect the coast and the town from storms. Keep a bag for your rubbish if the bins are full.

Flying into Beauvais airport?

The Busmandy shuttle, official partner of Beauvais airport, takes you to Rouen by direct coach, in 1 h 40, from €23.90. You arrive at the Busmandy stop, halte de Champlain (see on Google Maps), about 10 min walk from the centre: base yourself in Rouen and visit Étretat as a day trip.

Frequently asked questions