You can find some of the most stunning scenery in France at Étretat on Normandy’s Alabaster Coast where the white chalk cliffs are carved into dramatic arches and needles. It reminded me of Durdle Door on the Dorset Coast of the UK, as shown below.
Originally a fishing village, Étretat became a popular seaside resort in the 19th century when Impressionist painters like Monet and Gustave Courbet came to paint the extraordinary landscape.
You can see two of the arches from the beach but the best way to appreciate them is by walking up the cliffs themselves.
It’s a wonderful walk and you’ll be rewarded with great views. It shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes to get to the top but, for an added treat, it’s a good idea to stop off in the town to buy a picnic to enjoy at the top. We took advantage of the fact that we were in France and headed to the local pâtisserie for a selection of cakes.
If you stand on the beach, you can see two natural arches. The paths up the cliffs are well marked and relatively easy, even for young children. The slope is fairly gentle but there are no safety railings so you should keep them well away from the edge.
The Falaise Amont, on the right, is topped by a church, the Notre-Dame de la Garde chapel which was originally built by sailors in the 19th century. It was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt on these cliffs in the 1950s.
On the other side of the beach you’ll find the Falaise Aval and the Aiguille (needle shape). If you’ve only got time for one walk, this is the one you should do as you can see the third, larger arch from the top of these cliffs. This is the most spectacular of the three, the one that the French writer, Maupassant, described as looking like an elephant dipping its trunk into the sea.
On the way up you’ll find the aptly named Chambre des Demoiselles (the ladies’ room), a hollow inside the rock that you can enter via a little bridge between the rocks.
Back on the pebble beach, make time to add to your collection of pebbles and if it’s too cold for paddling in the sea, you can still take a look at the fishing boats pulled up onto the beach and the fishermen sanding down their boats, a pipe dangling from their mouth.
For more ideas of things to do along the wonderful Normandy Coast, take a look at City Breaks with Kids: Honfleur and A Photo Tour of the Normandy Coast
For more France inspiration, take a look at Tin Box Traveller’s post on treetop fun at Le Grand Défi in the Vendée region.
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Spectacular is right. I want to go there – now!!!
Author
Thanks Corey. It is the best place for a picnic!
I thought it was durdle door from the first photo – wow so similar! Looks amazing. I’ve always wanted to explore more on that coastline. I’d love to see the elephant’s trunk. Thanks for letting us know about it.
Author
They really do, don’t they Mags? We took all this time to discover the wonderful Normandy coastline – can’t wait to go again now!
It is such a beautiful part of the world. No wonder the artists were inspired. Next time we go we will do the walk up the cliffs. The views and your photos are amazing Clare #FarawayFiles
Author
You should definitely do the cliff walk, Katy – lots of young families were doing it when we went. It really is a stunning part of the world and so wonderfully accessible from the south east of the UK.
it almost looks like the same thing:) I mean the photo from England and the photo from France:)
Author
Doesn’t it? Before I went to Normandy, I posted a picture of Durdle Door on Instagram and so many people commented on how similar it was to Étretat that it inspired me to visit those cliffs too.
Absolutely stunning – a picnic and a patisserie visit followed by a walk with views like that sounds just about perfect!
Author
It really was, Joy. I love a good walk – but they’re always better with the promise of a treat at the end!
I never need an excuse to visit France its so gorgeous – and wow is this place amazing! Beautiful views, beach and cliffs – definitely adding my my list of must-sees in France! #farawayfiles
Author
It’s a stunning part of the world, Tracy. Thanks for joining us on #FarawayFiles
Normandy is wonderful and so close to U.K. Great shots, sounds like a brill picnic spot.
Author
Thanks so much, Wilbur. Normandy was a real discovery for us this year – so beautiful and, like you say, so close to the UK.
Oh wow, what a spectacular place! Reminds me of the cliffs in Dorset where we stayed in a light house last year! So beautiful!
Author
These cliffs remind me so much of Dorset as well. How wonderful to stay in a lighthouse! Always a dream of mine.
Your photos are dreamy Clare. Another place to add to the never ending list of places to visit in my adopted home. (My son is going in February with friends, lucky him!) #farawayfiles
Author
Thanks so much, Phoebe. France is such a wonderfully rich, diverse country – you’d never see it all. Your lucky son! So great to go on those first parent-free trips.
I feel like I’ve read this post before and commented, but I’ve read so much I can no longer remember, but nonetheless, these are such beautiful cliffs and make me want to explore more of France. Well I do nonetheless, but even more so! I like how you included a piece of art to depict how the Impressionists viewed it! Pinned! #FarawayFiles
Author
Thank you so much. I wrote a photo tour of the Normandy coast a month ago and included a couple of these photos so I expect it’s that one you remember seeing. I hope you get to explore more of France soon – it’s such a beautiful country.
amazing pictures – looks like such a beautiful part of the world. I want to go to the ones in cornwall too! #farawayfiles
Author
It really is a beautiful part of the world, Rebecca. Thanks so much for commenting and being part of #FarawayFiles
Wow! That is very beautiful. It’s amazing what wonders there are in the world, isn’t it?
Author
Thanks so much, Allison. It’s truly beautiful in so many parts of the world!
Clare, your photos are stunning, like from the cover of the magazine! 🙂
Author
What a wonderful thing to say, Nano. Thank you – that is a real compliment, particularly coming from you.
As always, amazing photos! I already had Normandy on my list, but since reading your posts its moved up the line! I also love your ornaments in the ocean photo and I might just have to recreate that one! Happy holidays! #farawayfiles
Author
Thanks so very much, Hilary. That’s great to hear. I feel very late in discovering the wonders of Normandy. To think that it’s been virtually on my doorstep all these years! You’re in the perfect position to retreat that shot. Looking forward to seeing it!
Sounds like such a beautiful sight! I love walks like this! I’ve noticed a few of your posts about Normandy are lovely! It’s somewhere I’ve never really thought of visiting before, but I really want to explore it now. #farawayfiles
Author
Thank you so much, Chiera. We’ve done a few lovely walks along the South West Coastal Path in Devon and Cornwall so it was great to do a good cliff walk over in France too.
That’s beautiful spot!
Author
It really is, Ava. Thank you.
My jaw dropped on that first photo! I can see how big the arch is by looking at the people. I have seen photos of this place but I didn’t realize there were several arches in there. Would love to walk around here (and have some cake too). #FarawayFiles
Author
It’s great to see the people in the shot – it really gives you an idea of the magnitude of these cliffs. We find good walks and cakes make great companions!
I’ve seen your photos of these cliffs in your Instagram gallery – they are stunning and massive! The cliffs look like an elephant dipping its trunk in the sea 🙂 #FarawayFiles
Author
Thanks Kat! They really do look like an elephant, don’t they? Quite beautiful.
We first glanced and thought it was Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove too. We’ve yet to go to Dorest even though we live so close! We’d love to visit the French coastline! Looks stunning and actually quite accessible 🙂 #farawayfiles
Author
It’s amazing how similar it looks! It really is stunning in Normandy and is more accessible for us than some parts of the UK. We’ll be visiting a lot more often.
These are stunning! We have enjoyed the white chalk cliffs on the German island of Rügen and apparently there are great ones at Møns Klint south of Copenhagen that I need to get to! I love epic landscape and this truly is Clare. Beautiful scenery and post! Cheer, Erin #FarawayFiles
Author
I do remember your photos from Rügen. There’s something so majestic about cliffs. I’ll have to do a great cliffs around the world post at some point!
Wow! Look at those rock formations. It looks like it would be very cool to swim under the arch. #farawayfiles
Author
It really would, wouldn’t it? It was far too chilly when we visited in late October but swimming here would be wonderful.
I didn’t realise there were cliffs in Normandy! I’ve only been to a small part of the Normandy coast to see the D-Day beaches, looks like I missed the best scenery? #farawayfiles
Author
The scenery is so stunning along this coast, Christine. Definitely worth another visit I think.
You’re right,it really is like Durdle Door! I haven’t been to either, but I like the idea of being able to clinb up with kids. I’d be hanging on to mine with a vice-like grip, though! #FarawayFiles
Author
It really makes a great walk, Nell. It’s very hairy right on the edge of the cliff (not that I went that far) but fortunately the path is quite a bit away from the edge so it felt relatively safe. You’ll have to do for Normandy what you’ve done so brilliantly for Brittany 🙂
Spectacular is the right word – your photos are beautiful! #FarawayFiles
These cliffs are beautiful! We stayed away from the Brittany coast on our first trip to the French coast, but now I’m thinking a return may be necessary. (Of course, I always love visiting France.) Thank you for sharing your gorgeous pictures! #farawayfiles
Author
France is just wonderful, isn’t it? Such a varied place to visit. We were enchanted by Normandy – this coastline is just stunning. Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
It sure looks like an elephant dipping its trunk in the sea. Spectacular indeed, as are your photos! #FarawayFiles
Author
It really does, doesn’t it? Thanks so much, Ahila. Great to have you back on Faraway Files. Hope you had a lovely holiday in the UK.
Wow! Spectacular photos. This beach looks so pretty and those cliffs are out of this world. Thanks for sharing! #farawayfiles
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Thanks so much, Danielle. It’s a wonderful part of the world. So great having you on #FarawayFiles
Cliffs, beaches, hiking… and cakes. I really can’t think of a better day out! Great photos of a beautiful place. Thanks for hosting #farawayfiles
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Thought you might agree, Jonny! Thanks so much. Great to have you on #FarawayFiles
What a spectacular place to walk! Those images of the people on the cliffs are amazing (it really gives perspective on how huge the cliffs are. Its little wonder that Monet was inspired by this place. #FarawayFiles.
Author
It was a fantastic walk, Ali. The people look so tiny, don’t they? It’s great to see the Impressionist paintings looking so similar to how it actually looks today.
Such a beautiful part of the world and brilliant pictures #FarawayFiles
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Thanks so much, Catherine 🙂
Sounds fantastic! I’m considering a trip to the region next year and I’ll have to keep this in mind.
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Oh you must, Adelina! The Normandy Coast is such a stunning area to visit.
Oh they are wonderful aren’t they and yes, don’t they look like Durdle Door! Fabulous views and I love the photos you have taken, they really appear to capture it’s beauty. Looks like a great place to spend a day when the weather is nice, great walks, wonderful scenery, a beach to stroll on – thank you for showing us this place, pinned for future reference #farawayfiles
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Thanks so much, Angie. It’s a stunning place for a walk. It wasn’t even sunny when we went – I think it’s the sort of place that would look glorious no matter what the weather was doing.
What beautiful place and spectacular photos.
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Thank you so much.
Absolutely jawdropping! How do you get there?
Author
Thanks so much, Addie. If you’re coming from the UK, you can get a ferry over to Calais and drive down the autoroute (just over two hours from Calais to Étretat) or Dieppe, which is even closer. We stayed in Honfleur and drove up the coast from there.
Wow! This is beautiful! #farawayfiles
Author
Thanks so much!
I love the elephant description- that is exactly how it looks.
Author
Isn’t it? Merry Christmas, Cathy. Looking forward to reading about all your travels in 2017. Cxx
Well. This just got added to my 2017 travel plans!
Thank you.
I can’t wait to explore ❤️
Author
That’s great to hear! Sure you’ll love it there. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
How wonderful! France is such a beautiful country. We live in Paris and absolutely love being able to travel easily all around Europe! So excited to have discovered your blog through #faraway files on Twitter. Will definitely be coming back soon to read more of your fabulous stories!
Author
Thanks so much, Alix. How lucky you are living in Paris and having all of this on your doorstep. It would be great to have you joining the #farawayfiles community – always wonderful to read posts about France.
Stunning coastline. I don’t know why I didn’t realise that the Dorset coastline and it’s amazing features like Durdle Dor would be mirrored in France, nor that it was an area so popular with impressionist painters. There is something about the cliffs and the sea that relaxes and inspires – fantastic views are good for the soul! #FarawayFiles
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Thank you so much, Jo. I know, it’s bizarre, isn’t it? I went to Durdle Door just a few months before visiting Etretat and was so struck with the similarity. The light in Normandy was just marvellous too. Such a beautiful place and absolutely good for the soul.