# The Falaise d'Aval, the Needle and the Manneporte on Foot

What to do en Étretat · Étretat

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/things-to-do/falaise-d-aval-needle-and-manneporte · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Duración: 1 h 45
- Temporada: All year; best first thing or at sunset
- Para quién: All ages with soled shoes; at the top there are no railings and children hold hands

Walk · 1 h 30–2 h round trip · free · along the top of the west cliff to a view of the Manneporte · all year

The falaise d'Aval is the western cliff, the postcard one: from above you see the Porte d'Aval, the arch that dips into the sea, and beside it the Needle, a free-standing rock 51 metres high. If you go a little further you can look out over the Manneporte, the largest of the three arches, at the end of the Jambourg beach. It is the walk nobody should miss in Étretat and it costs nothing.
The route
It starts at the end of the seafront promenade, on the west side of the beach. Steps and an earth path climb to the plateau, next to the golf course. In about twenty minutes you are at the first viewpoint over the Porte d'Aval and the Needle. From there the path continues along the edge, always on the grass, to the view of the Manneporte. Round trip, with stops to look, allow between an hour and a half and two hours. The stretch is short but has a steep climb at the start and the ground is slippery when it rains.
If you want to walk further, you are on the GR 21, the Alabaster Coast trail between Le Havre and Le Tréport: beyond the Manneporte there are far fewer people.
The rules
Walk on the marked paths and at least 5 metres from the edge, because the chalk crumbles. It is forbidden to walk at the foot of the cliff, to enter the Trou à l'Homme, the tunnel under the cliff, and the Chambre des Demoiselles. Do not take pebbles from the beach either: they protect the coast from storms. Infringements are fined and rescues may be charged for.
With a guide
If you want to know what you are looking at, Natterra, a naturalist guide from the village, runs outings along the cliffs: seabirds, coastal plants, chalk and flint.

Lo organiza: Natterra, desde 30 € per person (https://www.natterra.fr/)

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 49.70438, 0.18922

## Cerca de aquí

- [Dormy House](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/where-to-stay/dormy-house), a 879 m
- [Le Bel Ami](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/where-to-eat/le-bel-ami), a 1.0 km
- [Kayak and Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Front of the Étretat Arches](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/things-to-do/kayak-and-paddleboard-under-the-cliffs), a 1.1 km
- [Crêperie Lann Bihoué](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/where-to-eat/lann-bihoue), a 1.2 km
- [Le Clos Lupin, Maurice Leblanc's House](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/things-to-do/clos-lupin), a 1.3 km
- [The Falaise d'Amont and the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/things-to-do/falaise-d-amont-and-chapel), a 1.4 km
- [The Jardins d'Étretat](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/things-to-do/etretat-gardens), a 1.7 km
- [Le Donjon Gourmet Restaurant](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat/where-to-eat/le-donjon-gourmet-restaurant), a 1.8 km

## Consejos

### Go early or late
Before eleven and after four there are far fewer people. At sunset the light falls from the side on the Needle.

### Shoes with soles
The grass and earth are slippery in the rain.

### Check the tide
At low tide you can see from above the rocks and pools at the foot of the arch.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take to climb the falaise d'Aval?
About twenty minutes to the first viewpoint; round trip to the Manneporte, an hour and a half or two hours.

### Can I go down to the beach at the foot of the Needle?
No, walking at the foot of the cliffs is forbidden.

### Is it suitable for children?
Yes, with care: at the top there are no railings and you must stay 5 m from the edge.

### Does it cost anything?
No, it is free.

Destino: [Étretat](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/normandy/etretat.md)