Étretat is located on the Normandy coast in the Seine-Maritime département. Known for its white cliffs plunging into the English Channel, the town attracts visitors all year round – but especially in spring and summer.
Here we present all the options for getting to Étretat, whether you’re arriving from Paris, another Normandy town or from abroad.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Étretat
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- By car from Paris: 3h drive
- By car from Rouen: 1h15min drive
- By car from Le Havre: 35min drive
- For greater convenience, find your rental car here
- By train + bus: get off at Bréauté-Beuzeville (from Paris or Rouen), then bus line 504 (30min) – or from Le Havre, bus line 509 – see train timetable
- No direct train access to Étretat
- Excursions available from several cities – see options
- By ferry: arrive at the Port of Le Havre then 35min by car – ferry timetable
WHERE TO STAY IN Étretat
Option 1: on the cliffs
We recommend..:
- Hotel Le Donjon Domaine Saint Clair with lots of charm – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Dormi House and its magnificent views – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: in the center
We recommend..:
- B&B Les Tilleuls Etretat, close to the sea and easy to reach – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Le Rayon Vert, facing the sea – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: in the surrounding countryside
We recommend..:
- Hotel Les Pins de César, in a green setting – see prices, photos and availability
Where Étretat is – map and landmarks
Étretat lies on the Côte d’Albâtre, the white chalk coastline that stretches between Le Havre and Dieppe. The town is located in Seine-Maritime, in the northern part of Normandy. It is one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy and a must-see in the region.
Here are the distances from the main cities:
- Paris → Étretat: 3h drive (approx. 249km via the A13)
- Rouen → Étretat: 1h15min drive(via A150 and A29)
- Le Havre → Étretat: 35min drive(via D940 – Pont de Normandie)
- Honfleur → Étretat: approx. 50min drive(via A29 and D39)
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Remember to take outcomprehensive insurance (some roads are winding and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Option 1: by car – the most practical option
The car remains the most flexible way to reach Étretat and explore the surrounding area. From Paris, take the A13 towards Rouen, then the D131 and D940 along the Côte d’Albâtre. The road is pleasant, especially as you approach the coast. From Le Havre, access is simple and direct, taking just half an hour.
We like this option because it gives us the freedom to stop along the way – in Fécamp or Le Havre, for example, both of which are well worth a visit.
Compare available car rentals.
Parking in Étretat
Driving in the center of Étretat is not very pleasant: the streets are narrow, often one-way, and tourist numbers are high in high season. Outside weekends and public holidays, you can try to park in town – but allow time to find a space.
Our recommended solution: leave the car in one of the parking lots at the entrance to the town. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the seafront. In summer, a small tourist train runs between the town center and the summit of the Falaise d’Amont – the Petit Train d’Étretat, a convenient way to avoid the hassle of walking up the hill.
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Option 2: by plane
Étretat has no airport. Visitors arriving by air transit through one of the following airports, then reach the city by road.
From Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly airports
It is the main gateway for international travelers. From CDG or Orly, allow around 2h30 to 3h drive to Étretat, depending on the traffic conditions outside Paris. We recommend renting a car directly from the airport – it’s the most practical way to follow the tour without breaking your load.
Read our tips for renting a car at Paris-Orly here or at Paris CDG here.
From Paris-Beauvais Airport
Beauvais is served by several European low-cost airlines. The distance to Étretat is similar to that from CDG – about 2h30min drive via Rouen. Our tips here.
Option 3: by ferry via Le Havre
The port of Le Havre hosts regular services from England, operated by Brittany Ferries and DFDS. Crossings depart mainly from Portsmouth and Newhaven. Once you’ve disembarked at Le Havre, Étretat is just a 30-minute drive north on the D940.
This is a particularly good option if you’re traveling by car from the UK – you avoid Paris and go straight to the Côte d’Albâtre. We love the fact that we arrive by the sea, which immediately sets the tone for our stay in Normandy.
See ferry schedules and availability
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Option 4: by train and bus
Étretat has no railway station. So you need to combine train and bus to get there without a car.
From Paris Saint-Lazare, regular trains serve the Bréauté-Beuzeville station. On arrival, bus line 17 runs from the station to Étretat in around 30 minutes. From Rouen, the same connection operates from Bréauté-Beuzeville station.
Consult train timetables and tickets.
Alternatively, you can take the train to Le Havre, then take the line 24 bus to Étretat. Bus frequency varies according to the season – we recommend checking schedules in advance.
See available timetables and book your train and coach tickets now.
Option 5: guided tour
Étretat lends itself well to day trips from a number of Normandy towns. The proximity of the coastline makes it easy to get back and forth, and the city can be discovered in a few hours if you stay on the surface – or in a full day if you take the time to explore both sides of the cliffs.
From Le Havre
Le Havre is the nearest town: 35min drive or by bus line 24. This is the easiest starting point for a half-day trip to Étretat. However, we advise you to take the whole day to enjoy the cliffs at low tide.
Choose your excursion from Le Havre
From Rouen
From Rouen, it’s a 1h15min drive. The town is a popular starting point for exploring the Côte d’Albâtre. You can also combine the tour with a stop in Fécamp, halfway along the route.
From Paris
A day trip from Paris is feasible, but leaves little time on site. Make your choices and leave early, as you won’t be able to see everything in one day. An organized tour is ideal. Everything’s ready to go, no need to drive, and all you have to do is enjoy!
If you want to take your time in Étretat, we recommend a minimum one-night stay, to explore the cliffs on both sides and organize at least one visit at low tide. Find our accommodation suggestions here.
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Good to know before you arrive
Here are a few useful pointers to help you plan your visit:
- Tides: exploration under the cliffs is only accessible at low tide. We advise you to check the tide tables before planning your day – it really is the key to a successful visit to Étretat.
- Accommodation: Étretat is a popular place to stay. In high season (July-August), accommodations book up early. We recommend that you to book as early as possible to have the choice.
- Footwear: the beach is pebbly and the cliff paths are sometimes steep. Shoes with grip soles are essential.
- Safety under cliffs: Cliffs are retreating due to erosion, and accidents are frequent. A municipal by-law strictly prohibits approaching within 5 metres of the edge of the void above, and venturing into the marked areas below (such as the Trou à l’Homme). The municipality is tightening the screws: any infringement is punishable by a fine of €135. Even more of a deterrent: if you recklessly endanger yourself in a prohibited area and need to be rescued, the emergency services (SDIS) will now charge you a fixed fee of €785 for the intervention. Stay on the marked trails and the main beach!
- Definitive closure of the tunnel: Please note that access to the mythical “Trou à l’Homme” tunnel (which used to allow access to the Falaise d’Aval side) and to the Chambre des Demoiselles is now strictly and definitively forbidden by municipal by-law, due to the major risk of landslides and walkers trapped by the tide.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Normandy
- Helicopter flight over the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre
- Book your time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
- Take a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- Climb the Via Ferrata in Switzerland Normandy
And once in Étretat…
Étretat’s main attractions revolve around its cliffs and coastline. We’ve detailed all the things to do on site in our dedicated guides:
- Falaise d’Aval and Aiguille Creuse – the most famous panorama
- Les Jardins d’Étretat on the heights of the Falaise d’Amont
- Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde chapel
- Le Clos Arsène Lupin, in the home of writer Maurice Leblanc
- Étretat beach and its pebbles
- The city’s fine dining establishments
See our complete guide: what to do in Étretat.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
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Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
