Day trip to Étretat from Paris

Étretat

Étretat is a small city on the Normandy coast and it is a must-visit in France.

Image: Road map Étretat

What makes Étretat famous are its white chalk cliffs, sculpted by the sea and wind, creating spectacular and unique shapes.

The town itself is charming too, with a seaside promenade, Norman-style houses, and a small picturesque harbor.

How to get there and how much does it cost

Getting there is easy. You can either take a FlixBus for around 50€ roundtrip per person, which takes about 4 hours and drops you right near the village. Or, if you prefer the train, the journey takes about 3 hours, but you will need to transfer at Bréauté–Beuzeville station. We decided to go with the bus because taking the train can get complicated with all the transfers. Also, make sure to book in advance to get the best prices.

Whether you travel by train or bus, the journey to Étretat offers a nice scenery, featuring a countryside that has long inspired painters.

What to do in Étretat

What you do in Étretat really depends on what you enjoy. Since we love nature, we chose to go hiking. From both sides of the beach, you can easily reach scenic trails. The views are absolutely stunning.

The hike can last for as long as you want because the views just keep going!

Another thing you can do in Étretat is visit its iconic gardens. We personally didn't go because of a lack of time, but they are said to be really nice. The entry costs around 14€.

Photo: Prépare ta valise

Is one day enough to visit Étretat?

If you are asking yourself how long to stay in Étretat, I'll be honest with you: one day is probably not enough. There is so much to see in terms of nature that a day trip, especially from a city as far as Paris, is probably going to feel rushed. I would rather recommend you go there for at least a weekend.