Étretat Day Trip from Dieppe: Dramatic Cliffs Guide

Complete Étretat day trip guide for Dieppe ferry travelers. Discover France’s most dramatic coastline just 1 hour from Dieppe: towering white chalk cliffs with natural arches carved by the sea, the famous Porte d’Aval arch and L’Aiguille needle, clifftop walks with breathtaking views, contemporary Gardens of Étretat, and charming Belle Époque village. These are the cliffs that inspired Monet, Courbet, and countless artists. Perfect half-day or full-day trip by car.

Étretat is pure natural spectacle – the kind of place that makes you understand why Impressionist painters were obsessed with capturing light and landscape. The dramatic white cliffs, natural arches, and towering rock needle create one of Europe’s most photographed coastlines. Whether you have 3 hours or a full day, Étretat rewards every visitor with unforgettable views and that “wow” moment when you first see the arches.

Last updated: December 2025

Étretat is France’s answer to the White Cliffs of Dover – but more dramatic, more sculptural, more Instagram-worthy.

**WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL:**

✅ **Natural arches** – Porte d’Aval and Porte d’Amont carved by millennia of waves
✅ **L’Aiguille (The Needle)** – Improbable 70-meter limestone spire standing in sea
✅ **White chalk cliffs** – Rise 90 meters above sea, brilliant white against blue
✅ **Artistic heritage** – Monet painted, Courbet captured, Boudin sketched
✅ **Pure geology** – Same chalk formation as Dover, incredible natural sculpture
✅ **Accessible drama** – Easy walks give spectacular views
✅ **Light changes** – Different times of day create completely different moods

**HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:**
• **Prehistoric:** Mammoths roamed here (remains found)
• **19th century:** Belle Époque resort (rich Parisians built villas)
• **Artists:** Impressionists obsessed with capturing the light
• **Literature:** Maurice Leblanc (Arsène Lupin mysteries) featured Étretat heavily
• **WWII:** Germans fortified cliffs (bunkers still visible)
• **Modern:** France’s most photographed natural landmark

**WHO LOVES ÉTRETAT:**
• Photographers (landscape/seascape paradise)
• Hikers (clifftop paths exhilarating)
• Geology enthusiasts (textbook chalk formation)
• Art lovers (Impressionist pilgrimage)
• Nature admirers (pure coastal drama)
• Families (accessible, impressive for kids)

Étretat has two main cliff formations – Aval (west) and Amont (east).

**WHAT YOU SEE:**

**Notre-Dame de la Garde Chapel:**
• Perched on clifftop
• Sailors’ chapel
• White structure visible from town
• Pilgrimage site

**Aviators’ Monument:**
• Memorial to Nungesser & Coli
• Attempted first trans-Atlantic flight 1927 (disappeared)
• Departed from nearby
• Arch-shaped monument

**German WWII Bunker:**
• Concrete bunker now visitor center
• Remnant of Atlantic Wall
• Good views from here
• Info displays inside

**HOW TO EXPERIENCE:**

**Climb (Moderate):**
• Steep stairs from beach
• 200+ steps
• Takes 15-20 minutes
• Rewarded with excellent views

**Views:**
• Look back at village and Aval arch
• See full bay
• Different perspective than Aval
• Often less crowded

**Best time:** Morning (east-facing, good light)

Several walking options depending on time and fitness.

**SHORT WALK (1-2 hours):**
• Beach → Aval clifftop viewpoint → Return
• Distance: 2km round trip
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate (one steep staircase)
• What you see: Best arch views
• Perfect for: Limited time, essential view

**MEDIUM WALK (2-3 hours):**
• Beach → Aval → Golf course → Amont → Beach (loop)
• Distance: 5km
• Difficulty: Moderate (two steep sections)
• What you see: Both cliffs, village views, countryside
• Perfect for: Half-day visit, good fitness

**LONG WALK (4-5 hours):**
• Étretat → Yport (neighboring village) → Return
• Distance: 12km round trip
• Difficulty: Challenging (extended clifftop walking)
• What you see: Dramatic coastal scenery, fewer tourists, wild cliffs
• Perfect for: Serious hikers, full-day visit

**SAFETY NOTES:**
⚠️ Cliff edges unfenced – stay back
⚠️ Paths can be muddy after rain
⚠️ Strong winds near edges
⚠️ Bring water (no facilities on paths)
⚠️ Wear good shoes (not sandals/flip-flops)
⚠️ Check weather (don’t walk in storms)

**WHAT IT IS:**
Contemporary landscape garden on Amont cliff created 2017.

**THE EXPERIENCE:**
• Sculptural garden terraces descending clifftop
• Modern art installations throughout
• Topiary, exotic plants, architectural elements
• Spectacular views over cliffs and sea
• Wind-swept, dramatic setting

**DETAILS:**
• **Entry:** €10 adults, €7 reduced
• **Time needed:** 1 hour
• **Open:** 10:00-19:00 (April-November), reduced hours winter
• **What to see:** Gardens, sculptures, views, small museum
• **Worth it:** If you love gardens + modern art, absolutely; if just for cliffs, optional

**BEST FOR:**
• Garden enthusiasts
• Art lovers
• Photographers (installations against cliffs stunning)
• Sunset visit (if open late)

**WHAT IT IS:**
Small seaside resort (1,200 residents) with Belle Époque architecture.

**THE VILLAGE:**
• **Beach:** Pebble, sheltered bay between two cliffs
• **Seafront:** Restaurants, cafés, ice cream shops
• **Architecture:** 19th-century villas (when Parisians came for summers)
• **Atmosphere:** Tourist-focused but charming
• **Size:** Very small, 10 minutes to walk through
• **Shopping:** Tourist shops, some galleries, overpriced

**WHAT TO DO:**
• Stroll seafront promenade
• Browse shops (art, souvenirs)
• Coffee/drinks at seafront café
• People-watch
• Ice cream (€3-5)

**NOT FOR:**
• Authentic French village experience (very touristy)
• Shopping (limited, expensive)
• Long time (30 minutes maximum interesting)

Timing makes huge difference to experience.

**BEST TIMES:**

**Early Morning (08:00-10:00):**
✅ Almost empty
✅ Beautiful light
✅ Parking available
✅ Peaceful atmosphere
✅ **Best strategy:** Arrive 08:00, enjoy empty cliffs

**Late Afternoon/Sunset (17:00-sunset):**
✅ Crowds gone
✅ Dramatic lighting (west cliffs face sunset)
✅ Golden hour photography
✅ Magical atmosphere

**AVOID:**

**Midday Summer (11:00-15:00):**
⚠️ Extremely crowded
⚠️ Harsh light (not photogenic)
⚠️ Parking nightmare
⚠️ Hot (no shade on cliffs)
⚠️ Queues everywhere

**Weekends July-August:**
⚠️ Very busy
⚠️ Parking full by 10:00
⚠️ Cliffs crowded
⚠️ Book ahead if staying

**SEASONS:**

**Spring (April-May):**
• Beautiful, wildflowers on cliffs
• Fewer tourists
• Can be windy/rainy

**Summer (June-September):**
• Best weather
• Busiest
• Book early

**Autumn (October):**
• Quieter
• Still decent weather
• Beautiful light

**Winter (November-March):**
• Empty
• Dramatic storms and seas
• Some facilities closed
• Only for hardy visitors

Tides dramatically affect Étretat experience.

**WHY TIDES MATTER:**

**Low Tide:**
✅ Can walk on beach to arch base
✅ Better foreground for photos
✅ Access to rock pools
✅ Calmer seas

**High Tide:**
✅ More dramatic (waves crash against cliffs)
✅ Water reaches cliff base
✅ Can’t access some beach areas
⚠️ Dangerous if trapped by incoming tide

**SAFETY:**
• Check tide times: www.horaire-maree.fr
• Don’t get trapped under arches (tide comes in fast!)
• When exploring: Note where you entered
• Watch for: Larger “sets” of waves even at low tide
• If in doubt: Stay on beach away from cliff bases

**BEST STRATEGY:**
• Check tide times before visiting
• Low tide = better beach access
• Rising tide = watch timing
• High tide = dramatic waves (from safe distance!)

**REALITY CHECK:**
Étretat restaurants are expensive and tourist-focused. Quality varies. Prices high for what you get.

**IF EATING IN ÉTRETAT:**

**LE GALION** (€25-40)
• Seafront location
• Seafood focus
• Sea views
• Tourist-popular
• Reliable but not exceptional

**LA MARIE ANTOINETTE** (€30-45)
• Traditional French
• Better quality than average
• Reservations advised
• Historic building

**LES ROCHES BLANCHES** (€60+)
• Upscale, clifftop setting
• Michelin-quality
• Special occasion
• Book well ahead

**BUDGET:**
• Crêperie La Cale (€15-25) – Best value
• Boulangeries – Sandwiches €4-6

**BETTER STRATEGY:**
• **Bring picnic from Dieppe market**
• **Eat on cliffs with best views**
• **Free + better food + save €25-35**
• This is what locals do!

**HALF-DAY VISIT (3-4 hours):**

**09:00** – Depart Dieppe
**10:00** – Arrive Étretat, park (€8)
**10:15** – Walk to Aval viewpoint (30 mins)
**10:45** – Photos, admire (30 mins)
**11:15** – Walk down, explore beach/village (30 mins)
**11:45** – Coffee/ice cream (30 mins)
**12:15** – Depart for Dieppe
**13:15** – Back in Dieppe

**WHAT YOU’LL SEE:** Essential arch view, beach, village
**COST:** Parking €8, fuel €10, coffee €4 = **€22**

—

**FULL DAY (6-7 hours):**

**08:30** – Depart Dieppe (beat crowds)
**09:30** – Arrive Étretat
**10:00** – Aval clifftop walk
**11:00** – Gardens of Étretat
**12:30** – Picnic on cliffs
**14:00** – Amont climb
**15:00** – Village explore, shopping
**15:45** – Beach walk
**16:15** – Depart
**17:15** – Dieppe

**WHAT YOU’LL SEE:** Both cliffs, gardens, full experience
**COST:** Parking €8, gardens €10, fuel €10, snacks €8 = **€36**

**CAR ESSENTIAL** – No train to Étretat

**ROUTE:**
• Distance: 65km
• Duration: 1 hour
• Route: D925 coastal road
• Scenic: Beautiful drive entire way
• Alternative: D79 even more scenic (adds 15 mins)

**PARKING IN ÉTRETAT:**
• Main car parks: €8/day
• Fill early: By 10:00 in summer
• Alternative: Street parking on edges of town (free, 10-min walk)
• **Arrive early:** Before 09:30 for guaranteed space

**FUEL:**
• Round trip: ~10 liters = €16
• Fill up in Dieppe (cheaper than Étretat)

**EQUIPMENT:**
• **Wide-angle lens essential:** 16-35mm range ideal
• **Tripod:** For long exposures (smooth sea effect)
• **Filters:** Polarizer (blue sky, reduce reflections), ND filter (long exposures)

**BEST SHOTS:**
• **Classic view:** Aval clifftop looking back at arch + needle
• **Beach level:** Low tide, arch reflection in water
• **Through arch:** Low tide only, from beneath
• **Amont view:** Look back at village and Aval

**BEST CONDITIONS:**
• **Light:** Golden hour (hour before sunset best)
• **Weather:** Dramatic clouds better than clear blue
• **Tide:** Low for beach shots, high for wave drama
• **Season:** Autumn light often best

**COMPOSITION:**
• Include needle AND arch in frame
• Foreground interest on beach (rocks, seaweed)
• Use leading lines (beach edge, paths)
• Rule of thirds (arch off-center)

**HALF-DAY TRIP:**
• Parking: €8
• Fuel (130km round trip): €10
• Coffee/snacks: €6
• **Total: €24 per person** (if 2 people split car costs)

**FULL DAY WITH GARDENS:**
• Parking: €8
• Gardens entry: €10
• Fuel: €10
• Food/drinks: €15
• **Total: €43 per person** (if 2 people)

**BUDGET STRATEGY:**
• Bring picnic: Save €10-15
• Skip gardens: Save €10
• Early arrival: Better photos, no extra cost
• **Minimum: €14 per person** (parking + fuel, 2 people)

✓ **Arrive early:** Before 09:30 essential in summer
✓ **Check tides:** www.horaire-maree.fr before visiting
✓ **Bring water:** None available on cliff paths
✓ **Good shoes:** Uneven ground, stairs steep
✓ **Sun protection:** No shade on cliffs
✓ **Stay back from edges:** Unfenced drops, windy
✓ **Bring picnic:** Saves money, eat with view
✓ **Download maps:** Phone signal spotty
✓ **Battery charged:** Photos drain battery fast
✓ **Layers:** Weather changes quickly on coast