Etretat Day Trip from Paris

Etretat is one of those places that looks fake in photos. The cliffs are too white, the arches too perfect, the whole setup too dramatic to be real. Then you get there and realize the photos don't do it justice.

This Etretat day trip from Paris is doable but it's not easy. There's no direct train. The bus connections are weird. You'll spend more time traveling than you will at the cliffs themselves. But if you want to see some of the most stunning coastal scenery in France without flying to the south, Etretat delivers.

The Etretat cliffs from Paris sit 210km northwest on the Normandy coast - white chalk formations with natural arches carved by centuries of waves. Monet painted them. Tourists photograph them. Hikers climb trails above them for panoramic views.

Tip: Check tide times before you go. High tide covers most of the beach and you can't walk under the arches. Low tide is when Etretat looks best.

How to Get to Etretat from Paris

There's no sugarcoating this - getting to Etretat is a pain. The town is small, remote, and not on any major train line. You have three options and none of them are great.

Train + Bus

Take a train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Le Havre (about 2 hours). From Le Havre station, catch bus line 24 to Etretat (another hour). Buses run a few times a day, not frequently, so you need to plan around the schedule or you'll be stuck waiting.

Round trip train tickets cost around 30-40 euros if you book ahead. The bus is maybe 5 euros each way. Total travel time one way is 3+ hours if connections work out.

Reality check: This route works but it's exhausting. You'll leave Paris at 7 AM and won't get back until 10 PM or later. If you miss the last bus from Etretat you're screwed.

Organized Tour

Several companies run day tours to Etretat from Paris, often combined with Honfleur or other Normandy stops. The bus picks you up in central Paris, drives you to Etretat, gives you 2-3 hours there, then brings you back. You don't have to think about schedules or connections.

Tours cost 100-150 euros per person depending on what's included. Some add lunch or a guide, others just handle transport. Check day tour options if you want someone else to deal with logistics.

The downside? You're on someone else's timeline. If you want to hike all the cliff trails or spend an hour on the beach, tough luck. The bus leaves when it leaves.

Rental Car

Rent a car in Paris and drive to Etretat. It takes about 2.5 hours each way on the A13 motorway. You can leave when you want, stay as long as you want, and maybe hit Rouen on the way back if you're ambitious.

Rental cars start around 50-70 euros per day plus gas and tolls (another 20-30 euros). Parking in Etretat is free but limited in summer. Driving in Paris is hell, so factor in stress levels.

This works best if you're comfortable with French roads and don't mind a long drive. If you've never driven in Europe, maybe skip this one.

Note: Some people combine Etretat with other Normandy coastal towns like Deauville to make the drive more worthwhile. That's a solid plan if you have the time.

One Day Itinerary

Morning: Arrive and Aval Arch

If you're on the train+bus route, you'll arrive around 10 AM. Tours usually get there a bit earlier. Either way, start with the Aval Arch - the most famous of Etretat's formations.

The Aval Arch is the big one with the needle rock (L'Aiguille) standing offshore. There's a hiking trail that goes up the cliff to a viewpoint where you can see the arch from above. The trail is steep, muddy when wet, and has no railings in some spots. Wear real shoes, not sandals.

The hike takes 30-45 minutes up, less coming down. At the top you get panoramic views of the coast, the arch below, and the English Channel stretching to the horizon. On clear days you can see for miles.

Tip: The best light for photos is early morning or late afternoon. Midday sun washes out the white cliffs and makes everything look flat.

Late Morning: Beach Walk

Come back down and walk the beach. Etretat's beach is pebbles, not sand. At low tide you can walk right up to the base of the arches and explore the rock formations. At high tide the water comes up to the seawall and there's barely any beach left.

The beach walk from one end to the other takes maybe 20 minutes. You'll see the Aval Arch from below, the town behind you, and the Amont Cliff on the other side.

Midday: Lunch

Grab a crepe or a sandwich from one of the shops on Rue Notre-Dame (main street) and eat it on the beach or at a cafe. Sit-down restaurants are overpriced and slow. You didn't come all this way to spend two hours in a mediocre bistro.

If you need a proper meal, there are bistros and creperies along the waterfront. Prices are higher than Paris because everything is aimed at day trippers. Lower your expectations.

Afternoon: Amont Cliff

After lunch, hike up the Amont Cliff on the other side of town. There's a small chapel (Notre-Dame de la Garde) at the top and views back toward the Aval Arch. The hike up is easier than the Aval side - wider path, gentler slope.

From the top you see the whole bay, the town below, and the Aval Arch in the distance. It's a different perspective than the morning hike and worth the effort.

Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the round trip including time at the top.

Late Afternoon: Manneporte or Town

If you have time and energy, the Manneporte Arch is the biggest of the three formations but it's a longer walk to reach - about 30 minutes each way along the coast path from the Aval side. Most people skip it because they run out of time. If you have 4+ hours in Etretat and decent weather, it's worth the trek.

Otherwise, spend your remaining time wandering the town or relaxing on the beach before your bus/tour departure.

Evening: Return to Paris

Buses back to Le Havre leave mid-to-late afternoon. Tours usually depart around 4-5 PM. You'll be back in Paris by evening, tired but with a memory card full of cliff photos.

Things to Do in Etretat

The Cliffs and Arches

The main attractions are three natural chalk formations: the Aval Arch (the big one with the needle rock), the Amont Cliff (the one with the chapel on top), and the Manneporte Arch (the massive one further down the coast). All three are free to access and you can hike to viewpoints above each one.

The cliff trails are steep and can be slippery. There are no railings in many sections. Don't get close to edges - the chalk is crumbly and people have fallen.

The Beach

Etretat's beach is pebbles, not sand. It's fine for walking or sitting but not great for swimming unless you like cold water and rocky entries. Locals and tourists both hang out on the beach in summer. It gets crowded on weekends.

Tide matters. At low tide you have a wide beach and can walk under the arches. At high tide there's barely any beach and the arches are surrounded by water. Check tide tables before you go.

The Town

Etretat town is cute but there's not much to do besides eat and shop for souvenirs. The main street has cafes, creperies, and tourist shops selling postcards and local products. It's all aimed at day trippers so prices reflect that.

Les Jardins d'Etretat

There's a modern sculpture garden on the Aval cliff called Les Jardins d'Etretat. It has contemporary art installations, topiaries, and good views. Entry costs around 10 euros. It's nice if you have extra time but not essential. Most people skip it to spend more time on the free cliff trails.

Tickets, Tours, and Practicalities

The cliffs and beach are free. No tickets, no entry fees, no reservations. Just show up and walk around. This is one of the few major French attractions where you don't have to plan ahead or book anything.

If you're doing an organized tour, book at least a week in advance, especially in summer. Tours fill up because Etretat is popular with tourists who don't want to deal with French public transport.

For the train+bus option, check SNCF for train times and LiA (Lignes Interurbaines de l'Agglomération Havraise) for bus schedules. The bus schedule changes seasonally so don't assume what worked in July will work in November.

Tip: Download offline maps before you go. Cell service in Etretat can be spotty, especially on the cliff trails.

What to Bring

• Good walking shoes - the trails are steep and can be slippery
• Water and snacks - there are cafes in town but nothing on the trails
• Layers - it's windy on the cliffs even in summer
• Camera - obviously
• Sunscreen - the sun reflects off the white cliffs and you'll burn faster than you think

When to Visit

Summer (June-August) has the best weather but also the most crowds. The beach and trails get packed on weekends. If you go in summer, aim for a weekday.

Spring and fall are less crowded and still pleasant. The cliffs look dramatic in any weather. Rain and fog actually make the place more atmospheric, though hiking in mud isn't fun.

Winter is quiet but cold and windy. Some trails close if conditions are bad. Check ahead if you're visiting November-February.

Is an Etretat Day Trip from Paris Worth It?

Depends on what you value. If you want to see stunning coastal scenery and don't mind a long travel day, yes. If you're short on time or hate complicated logistics, maybe not.

The cliffs are genuinely spectacular. They're different from anything else you'll see near Paris. But you'll spend 5-6 hours traveling for maybe 3-4 hours at the destination. That's a rough ratio.

If you're staying in Paris for a week or more and you've already done the obvious day trips like Versailles and Giverny, Etretat is a good choice. If you only have a few days in Paris, there are easier options that give you more time at the destination and less time on trains and buses.

For people who love hiking and coastal scenery, this is a no-brainer. For people who just want to check a box and say they saw the cliffs, it might feel like too much effort.

Alternative idea: Some travelers combine Etretat with an overnight in Normandy. Stay in Honfleur or Rouen, visit Etretat as a half-day trip, then explore other sites the next day before heading back to Paris. That spreads out the travel and makes the whole thing less exhausting. Check other seaside day trips if you want to see more of the region.

Comparing Etretat to Other Coastal Trips

vs Honfleur

Honfleur is a harbor town with old buildings and artistic heritage. More about architecture and atmosphere than nature. Easier to reach than Etretat. Choose Honfleur for town charm, Etretat for dramatic cliffs.

vs Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is even further (3.5-4 hours) but more iconic. The abbey on the tidal island is one of France's most famous sights. Bigger crowds, longer journey, more impressive monument. Choose Mont Saint-Michel for the wow factor, Etretat for hiking and nature.

vs Deauville-Trouville

Deauville is a Belle Époque beach resort with sandy beaches, boardwalk, and casino. More about relaxing than hiking. Choose Deauville for a beach day, Etretat for cliffs and trails.