Discover Etretat

While its cliffs are among the most impressive natural sites in Europe, the artistic and historical heritage of this small maritime town will surprise you.

Take time for a walk up and down these alleys!

From the fishing village to the seaside resort

Etretat, a small stranding port already well known in Roman times, has long lived to the rhythm of its fishing activities. Traces of this era are still visible on the waterfront: you can see the capstans used to pull the boats up onto the pebbles or the “caloges”, old boats covered with thatch.

The painter Eugène Isabey is the true discoverer of Etretat, which he was the first to paint, in 1820. Turner, Boudin, Monet and many others would offer their vision of the waterfront and the famous cliffs.

The first part of the 19th century in Normandy was marked by the development of sea bathing, much appreciated for its therapeutic virtues. As early as 1840, visitors, industrialists, bankers, rich merchants, artists and journalists from Paris and England flocked to Etretat.

Like Offenbach, some of them had charming villas built in the centre of the village or on its heights. The beach and seafront were equipped with facilities dedicated to these new arrivals: cabins, hotels, casinos… Many of these waterfront buildings were destroyed during the Second World War, but a pleasant walk lets you discover some really elegant villas.

The Etretat Heritage Museum, on the cliff above, tells the entire history of the town, from its origins to the 20th century.

A natural destination

The cliffs and the Aiguille Creuse have made the town of Etretat world-famous.

Natural wonders, these giants which rise to nearly 90 metres are ancient witnesses of how the Normandy coast evolved.

Warning, these areas are fragile and subject to the whims of the tide.

Do not pick up pebbles or leave any litter on the sites.
The cliffs are always subject to the risk of rockfalls.
Access to the rocky outcrops overlooking the “Trou à l’Homme” is strictly prohibited.
Access to the cave and tunnel known as the “Trou à l’Homme” is strictly prohibited.
Access to the places known as “La chambre des demoiselles” and “la descente au chaudron” (The Young Ladies’ Room) and the tunnels crossing the cliff tips are strictly prohibited.
Access to the full-width beaches, along the entire municipal line, with the exception of the area adjacent to the promenade dike, is strictly prohibited.
Pedestrians are strictly prohibited on the high plateaus of the upstream and downstream cliffs, with a safety distance of at least 5 meters for both sites from the break in the slope.
The municipality disclaims all liability in the event of an accident occurring as a result of non-compliance with the requirements and prohibitions of this decree, as well as in the event of crossing the fence, any fence, or any other device intended to prevent access to the edges or bases of cliffs located within its territory.
Only local authority technical services, experts commissioned by the Administration, and safety and emergency services are authorized to walk along the top and bottom of cliffs to carry out their assigned tasks, equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment.
In accordance with Article R.610-5 of the Criminal Code, violation of the prohibitions and obligations set out in this decree is punishable by the fine provided for Class 2 offenses. Fees will be applied by the SDIS 76, according to the rates applicable to non-emergency interventions (deliberation of 04/12/2024).
For your safety, please read the ORDINANCE REGULATING WALKING ON THE COASTAL BOUNDARIES OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF ETRETAT BETWEEN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF LE TILLEUL AND BENOUVILLE.
Read the ORDINANCE REGULATING WILD CAMPING, BIVOUACING, CARAVANNING, AND CAMPFIRES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ETRETAT.

Hiking on the GR21, guided walks in the company of a naturalist guide, discovering the cliffs from the sea on board a semi-rigid boat with Mer pour Tous from Fécamp, a more sporty paddle or kayak trip at the foot of the arches with Voiles et Galets … Etretat is there to discover at your own pace!

Ready to pedal? Bike rail from Les Loges offers a new view of Etretat.

Essential Etretat

The essential destination: the beach of course! But don’t miss Le Clos Lupin, the Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Nungesser et Coli Monument, the House of Maurice Leblanc which offers an original route to discover all about the gentleman burglar, the Heritage Museum of Etretat, Château les Aygues, the former summer residence of the queens of Spain, the covered market which has several souvenir shops or the Parc des Roches, a family leisure area in the town centre.

A few steps from the town centre, you’ll be amazed by the majesty and size of the Church of Notre Dame de l’Assomption, a Romanesque and Gothic architectural treasure built in the 12th century under the patronage of the abbots of Fécamp. British soldiers from the First World War are buried in its surrounding cemetery.

Your stroll is also a great way to discover lots of shops selling local products.
Don’t miss these summer events: the Offenbach Festival which pays tribute to the composer, plus Arts Day which brings together amateur and professional painters for an outdoor painting challenge.

A land of legends

Like all maritime towns of art and culture, Etretat has its legends, each more mysterious and amusing than the last. Here is one of many, the legend of the Olive Fountain. It was at the time when the pagans were invading France. A woman of rare beauty named Olive was washing her clothes in the fountain on the beach when she found herself surrounded by a swarm of “Saracens” (a term for foreigners, they were Vikings). Only a miracle could save Olive.

She prayed to God to save her from the hands of these cruel people and vowed to build a beautiful church in Etretat. God answered her, raising a terrible storm that threw the Saracen boats far out to sea. Olive immediately decided to build the church by the sea. But at night, the devil, who at that time did not like Etretat, carried the stones heaped up during the day to the bottom of the Saint Clair coast. Following a dream, Olive ended up building the church where we see it today.

Near Etretat

A few kilometres from Etretat, there are several sites to discover:

The Antifer Valley, a protected natural area between land and sea
Saint Jouin Bruneval, its valley, beach and historical sites
AB Sports in Criquetot l’Esneval, a wellness area with swimming pools and massage areas
The La dame au chapeau tea room in Bénouville

Practical

Le Havre Etretat Tourisme - Place Maurice
Guillard, 76790 Étretat - 02 35 27 05 21