Thinking of a weekend in Étretat in winter? It’s a good idea, because the atmosphere and the beach offer a completely different experience from that of summer, an enchanting and elegant seaside getaway.
Here are our tips for visiting Étretat in winter: activities, weather, temperatures…
And a few tips for spending Christmas or New Year’s Eve in Étretat.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Visiting Étretat in winter: is it worth it? Our review
Our review
Yes, we enjoy Étretat even more in winter than in summer. We love the winter lights painted by numerous artists, warming up in a tea room, and admiring the sublime landscapes in a quiet setting. It’s a completely different atmosphere!
Étretat, this little coastal jewel nestled in Normandy, is well known for its majestic cliffs and breathtaking scenery. While most visitors flock here during the summer months, we love re-discovering Étretat in winter. Between the tranquility of the beaches, the fresh sea air and the ambient calm, the getaway is peaceful and captivating.
Iconic cliffs like l’Aiguille and l’Arche take on a mystical allure in winter, with soft lights, tumultuous waves and sometimes apocalyptic cloud skies making for an exceptional scene!
What’s more, winter brings an intimate atmosphere to Étretat. The village streets are narrow and lined with Norman-style houses and small stores. Some will be closed. But you can stroll around and enjoy the charm without the tourist hustle and bustle of the high season. What a pleasure!
We strongly recommend that you take advantage of one of your winter weekends to admire this pearl. See our hotel tips.
Advantages of visiting in winter
- The immensity of landscapes with no one taking a photo in front of you
- It’s easier to park
- Lights and sunsets can be magical
- You can easily admire the sunset before dinner
- With the exception of Christmas, New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day, hotels are less expensive.
- Many places remain open
Disadvantages
- It may rain
- It’s colder
- Some stores are closing
- La Clos Arsène Lupin closes in winter except on certain weekends
- The tourist train is not running
- Cliff walking surfaces can be wet and slippery.
- The sea water is very cold
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
Weather, temperatures and conditions
In winter, the average temperature in Étretat is around 4 to 5°C.
You’ll need to cover up with a good coat.
It rains a little more than in summer, but not all the time. You can have beautiful sunny days.
As it’s winter, the days are shorter. This allows you to admire the sunset before dinner.
It can snow, but as it’s by the sea, the snow never lasts long.
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Things to do in Étretat in winter
In winter, activities are pretty much the same as in summer, apart from swimming and sunbathing.
You can:
- Admire the cliffs from the beach – we can sit for hours watching the cliffs evolve with the clouds and the movement of the sun…fascinating!
In winter, the promenade isn’t crowded and it’s much more pleasant. - Climb the upstream cliff for the best views of the aguille and the arch from Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde.
- Visit the gardens of Étretat, where art meets nature. It’s a place to let your imagination run wild – buy your ticket
- Climb the cliff below and hike a little for more views of the needle and arch. The erosion work is spectacular!
- Explore the village and its charming alleyways, including the two-tone 20th-century brick houses, also typical of the region.
- Visit the covered market
- Don’t miss the Salamander Mansion, a rather intriguing building with wood, colorful shingles and a strange shape. It was built by copying a medieval house from another town.
- Golf with incredible sea views!
- Spend a reasonable evening at the casino
Find out more in our article on the best things to do in Etretat.
How to get to Étretat
- You can’t reach it by train. You must get off the train from Paris or Rouen to Le Havre at the Breauté-Beuzeville station and then take the bus line 17 (30min journey)
- You can also take the bus from Le Havre (line 24)
- The simplest solution is the car
- In winter, you’ll have more luck finding a place in the village, but the easiest way is to park at the entrance to town and explore on foot.
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).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Christmas in Étretat
The town of Étretat remains calm at Christmas time. You can discover some of the lights that make the village even more enchanting.
Some designers still have their stores open, and you can find unique gifts for your loved ones as you stroll through the narrow streets.
We haven’t seen any dates for a Christmas market in previous years.
New Year’s Eve in Étretat
Several restaurants prepare special New Year’s Eve menus to delight your taste buds, but the village remains fairly quiet.
Take a look at our list of favorite restaurants in Étretat and see if they have a special menu.
You can also take part in the January 1st bath. In Normandy, it’s a tradition in many towns. This should wake you up if you drank too much the night before! But be sure to take something to warm you up afterwards.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Etretat
- What to do in Étretat
- Where to stay in Étretat
- Where to eat in Étretat
- The gardens of Étretat – coming soon
- The beach of Étretat – coming soon
