geocalia
Day itinerary · 49.71° N · 0.21° E
An early start from Paris, the falaise d'Aval before the groups, galettes and cider at Lann Bihoué and the falaise d'Amont with the chapel and gardens in the afternoon.
Part of ÉtretatEnglish Channel
The plan
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
from Paris by the A13; stop at the free Guezane car park, at the entrance to the village
go up by the steps at the west end of the promenade · free · 2 h
+33 6 82 77 87 55
galettes and cider · book a table online or arrive before 12:30
45 rue Notre-Dame, 76790 Étretat · +33 2 35 27 04 65
the sailors' chapel and the view of the Needle in the afternoon light
€11–12.90 · the topiaries above the bay · check the calendar beforehand
in Paris around 20:30
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Étretat is the most famous stretch of the Norman coast and can be seen in a day from Paris if you set out early. The plan climbs the two cliffs in the order of the light: the falaise d'Aval, the one with the Needle and the Manneporte, in the morning, before the groups arrive; the Amont one, with the chapel and the gardens, in the afternoon, when the sun falls on the Needle. In between, galettes and cider at a crêperie in the centre.
7:15 · Leave Paris. Two hours and three quarters along the A13. Park free at the Guezane, at the entrance to the village, and walk down.
10:15 · Falaise d'Aval. Steps at the end of the promenade, the Porte d'Aval and the Needle from above and the path to peer out at the Manneporte.
12:45 · Lunch at Lann Bihoué. A Norman galette with camembert and apple, a salted-caramel crêpe and a cup of cider.
14:30 · Falaise d'Amont. A short climb to the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde and the view of the whole bay.
15:45 · Étretat gardens. Wave-shaped hedges and contemporary art above the sea.
17:30 · Return. In Paris around 20:30.
Where to eat
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
What to order: a Norman special galette, such as La Vallée d'Auge (camembert and caramelised apple, €14.50), and for dessert La Manneporte with ice cream
What to order: several small dishes to share and the wine bar's mezzes; the menu changes with the season
What to order: the Les Galets menu, five courses for €109; the vegetarian Le Jardin, three courses for €69, if you want something shorter
Map
With where to park at each one.
Getting there
When to go
All year: the cliffs do not close and the crêperie opens daily except one week in October. Best from April to October, on weekdays; in July and August arrive before 10:30 to park. The gardens close in midwinter.
Tips
Before eleven and after four there are far fewer people up there.
It is forbidden and the tide comes in fast.
The grass paths are slippery in the rain.
Questions
Yes, by car: it is two hours and three quarters each way and in a day you climb both cliffs.
Not counting petrol and tolls, between €40 and €70 per person with lunch and the gardens.
Free at the Guezane, at the entrance to the village, or paid in the centre.
The falaise d'Aval in the morning and the Amont one in the afternoon, for the light.
More plans like this
geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/itineraries/etretat-by-car-needle-manneporte-and-amont
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/itineraries/etretat-by-car-needle-manneporte-and-amont
