Tourism
Etretat, a modest fishing village at its origins, has become over the decades a very popular seaside resort which is the pride of our region. This little gem of the "Côte d'Albâtre" and its sea baths became famous from 1843 thanks to the novel "Histoire de Romain d'Étretat", by Alphonse Karr, novelist and journalist. He went there often and said "If I have to show a friend the sea, it will be in Etretat".
The small fishing village will then continue to develop. Between the cliffs, the villas will rise at a steady pace. The casino will open in 1852 and major shows will be given, such as Offenbach operas. The arrival of the railroad will only increase its notoriety. From 1890, Étretat will become the holiday resort par excellence. Renowned writers will fall in love with this magical and picturesque setting: Maupassant, born near Dieppe, André Gide, buried not far from there or even Maurice Leblanc, who will make the "Aiguille creuse" the lair of Arsene Lupin, the gentleman thief. Immortalized by the painters Courbet and Monet, Étretat has kept its small village soul.
With its small streets, its seafront, its small shops and its sunset over the incredible cliffs, Etretat turns out to be a small, romantic and unforgettable city.
Cliffs and
seaside
Three main cliffs are famous in Etretat : the "falaise d’Aval" with the "Aiguille creuse", the "Manneporte" and the "falaise d’Amont".
These natural spaces are fragile and subject to the vagaries of the tide. A path allows you to walk along the beach at the bottom of the cliffs, at low tide and at ebb tide, passing through the famous "trou à l’Homme". Check the schedules of the tides before going there.
More sporty kayaking or paddle boarding will take you to the foot of the arches. If you want to gain height, the landscaped hiking trails overlook the Channel and offer a breathtaking view. There you will see the "Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde" Chapel and the monument in memory of the aviators Nungesser et Coli.
The seaside promenade will take you to beach, the capstans used to haul boats up on the pebbles or the caloges, old boats covered with thatch.
An authentic
village
Etretat is a labyrinth of alleys full of charm and surprises. Historical monuments and old villas stand alongside small souvenir shops and local products.
The market and its authentic architecture, all in wood, once hosted fishmongers and fruit and vegetable merchants.
Instead, there used to be a farm, then a pond. Filled, the place became the market place at the beginning of the last century. Today you will find small craft shops, local products and other souvenirs.
A few steps from the city center, visit the majestic "Notre Dame de l’Assomption" church, Romanesque and Gothic architectural treasure built from the 12th century under the patronage of the abbots of Fécamp. British soldiers from World War I are buried in the surrounding cemetery.
The "Clos
Arsène Lupin"
The "Clos Arsène Lupin, Maison Maurice Leblanc" is a museum dedicated to the fictional hero imagined by the famous writer Maurice Leblanc : Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief.
Splendid half-timbered house from the mid-19th century, surrounded by a French garden, the "Clos Lupin" was then the home of the writer.
After crossing the landscaped garden, the visitor is greeted at the threshold of the house by "Grognard", Arsene Lupin's valet, who hands him an audio headset. Guided by the voice of Arsene himself, the visitor then begins a journey in seven stages, made up of staging, light and shadow shows, soundscapes, all in a mysterious atmosphere.
Throughout this guided tour, Arsene Lupin presents his exploits, his feminine conquests, his many personalities and proposes to solve with him the enigma of the "Aiguille creuse".
Les Jardins
d'Etretat
In 1905, Madame Thébault, then a famous actress, planted a first tree on one of the cliffs of Etretat. This is the first step that will lead more than a century later to the creation of Les Jardins d’Etretat.
Les Jardins d'Etretat are a unique place on the "falaise d'amont" where contemporary art, architecture and landscape blend with poetry to offer visitors the opportunity to discover stunning "living sculptures".
Offering an exceptional view of the "aiguille" and Etretat, these are the work of landscape architect Alexandre Grivko of the British design and landscaping company IL Nature.
The plant sculptures thus created reproduce the coast of Étretat, its cliffs ... or its shells. They are paintings of greenery with infinite expanses advancing towards the sea, like showcases for the works of art exhibited there. More informations on etretatgarden.fr
Etretat Golf Course and the Heritage Museum of Etretat
The Etretat Golf Course overlooks the sea and the bay of Etretat. The golf course of Etretat is a renowned 18-hole course recognized by all. The "Golf Européen" magazine classifies it each year among the very best French golf courses. Its site makes it one of the 3 most remarkable marine golf courses in France. More informations on golfetretat.com.
Located on the "falaise d’amont", near the "Jardins d’Etretat", the Heritage Museum of Etretat offers you a discovery of the history of Etretat, from its origins to the end of the Second World War. Evidence of human occupation since prehistoric times, from the Caletes to the Vikings, the extinct river of Etretat, the Marie Antoinette oyster farm and the gigantic project of the Emperor Napoleon I's military port are part of the visit.
Etretat, a village born from the sea, is represented by numerous documents and objects which retrace the daily life of fishermen until the 19th century. Later, the birth of this craze for the mythical seaside resort is illustrated by the fashion for sea bathing, the casino, its new sports activities, and its luxurious villas.
Informations
Le Havre Etretat Normandie Tourisme
Place Maurice Guillard – 76790 Étretat