Etretat is a very picturesque town surrounded by high cliffs. It's quite touristy, but still maintained its "old" feel. During summer months, expect quite some visitors (and problems parking).
There are a lot of restaurants, hotels and one casino.
During July and August, on the beach, there's a special hut from the local government, that has comfortable chairs, shade and lots of books you can borrow (for free). They even have English books on loan. The read-a-book-on-the-beach is called "Lire A La Plage". More info, click here (in French).
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GPS Coordinates |
Comments/Links |
| Visit inner city |
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| Beach/Promenade Walk (up to cliff) |
N49 42.477 E0 11.933 |
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| Casino |
N49 42.498 E0 12.179 |
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| Visited Restaurants |
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For more photos and high quality versions of the ones below, click here
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Old wooden buldings |
Parisians and other French people have always had a love affair with Etretat.
Claude Monet painted many of his paintings here, the writers Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Samuel Beckett and Guy de Maupassent used to live here (as did three former French presidents).
Many of the buildings date back several centuries and are made out of wood.
Some of them are hotels or restaurants. |
In good shape |
Wooden hotel |
The main street is surrounded by these old houses.
From the top of the hill is "Dormy House" {link}, an up-market hotel/restaurant. From there, you have an excellent view of the town.
Dormy House |
View from Dormy House |
Tower in front of the castle |
At the entrance of Etretat is a very nice hotel called the Donjon {link}, overlooking the area:
At the top of the hill before arriving at Etretat is a 18 hole golf course and horse riding stables where you can rent horses.
At the entrance of the town is a privately held castle. It is located at the bottom of the hill when you arrive at Etretat. |
The small castle |
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The view from the Donjon Chateau/Hotel. |
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The town boasts many different restaurants, all very old (but mostly touristy).
There are several places where you can buy crêpes (pancakes), and like most of Normandy, there are many places were you can eat mussels & frites (all prepared in different flavors... try the Normande/Cauchoise version).
Most restaurants in this area offer seafood. Oysters are a specialty.
The Indoor Market/shops is just in front of the main shopping street.
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Indoor market |
Old tavern (1851) |
The shopping streets offers mostly souvenirs. |
Shopping street |
Beach promenade |
The beach front is dominated by a long promenade overlooking the impressive cliffs.
You can actually walk all the way up to the cliff you see on your right. |
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Casino on the promenade |
As in most small coast towns in Normandy, you will find a casino/ restaurant. |
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Cafes outside |
Alongside the promenade are several restaurants & cafes with outside sitting facilities.
To your right is the famous cliff (this is what Etretat is known for). |
The cliffs of Etretat |
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Other cities in
Upper Normandy
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