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Situated on the Normandy coast, Etretat is renowned for the coastal scenery around the town, in particular its white cliffs that are familiar from many photos of the region. Both the cliffs and the town itself highlights of the region and not to be missed if you visiting this part of Normandy.
If you walk to the small Church of Notre-Dame you will see some of the best of the impressive views, in particular of the ‘arche de la falaise d’aval’, the most famous of the rock formations along this part of the coast.
After exploring the cliffs be sure to visit the town itself. Historically a fishing village, Etretat became a popular seaside resort during the 19th century.
This popularity was enhanced by the large number of famous artists and authors who were inspired by Etretat (Monet, Maupassant, Victor Hugo and Flaubert were all enthusiasts of the region around the town, and Monet painted several well known pictures of the coast and cliffs around Etretat.
Elsewhere in Etretat you can see medieval houses, fishing cottages and several grand houses that were built in the ‘belle epoque’ (beginning of the 20th century) at the time the town first became established as a popular seaside resort.
Etretat also has a large selection of souvenir shops and restaurants specialising in fish, oysters, moules frites, and crepes to enjoy – a refect place for a pause after you have walked along the promenade.
Etretat is situated in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, 20 kilometres north of Le Havre.
If taking a car from Paris, plan a stop at Giverny! (it’s a MUST!)
See the article: Get closer to CLAUDE MONET at GIVERNY
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