If you stay in France during the holidays, think about visiting Les Falaises d’Etretat for a guaranteed wonder!
If you have the opportunity to visit Normandy during your holidays, then don’t hesitate to visit the municipality of Etretat in the department of Seine-Maritime. It is currently a well-known seaside resort that attracts many visitors thanks to its chalk cliffs that extend on several kilometres of coastline.
If you want to see them by yourself, here is all the information you need to visit the Etretat Falaises and prepare for your expedition!
History of Les Falaises d’Etretat
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Leonid Andronov
Les Falaises d’Etretat are not recent, since it is estimated that these are more than 100 million years old. These are creek cliffs peaking at more than a hundred-two meters above the Channel.
Many artists were inspired by these landscapes in their works, from painters to novelists, to poets and composers. One of the most famous anecdotes is that of Guy de Maupassant, who, when he saw the cliffs, called Aval’s door as a “ elephant plunging his trumpet into the water "
He then inspired the cave lying below in his poem Mercure de France . For his part, Monet represented the cliffs and his needle in one of his paintings, and other artists did the same, which in the course of time led to attracting tourists from all over the world.
What to see and do at Les Falaises d’Etretat?
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Gaspar Janos
If you want to visit the Falaises d’Etretat, then hiking can be the best solution to enjoy the incredible view they provide, but also to see the many points of interest that are:
The front door
Amont door is the smallest ark of the cliffs. It is on the longest course of the Pays de Caux and it is a place particularly appreciated by sea birds that you will have the pleasure of meeting and taking pictures if you are fairly discreet.
It is also possible to get off the beach leading to the gate of Amont, which is relatively quiet, knowing that most tourists favor the door of Aval and Manneporte.
The door of Aval
Aval door is a huge arcade made of silex which, according to Guy de Maupassant, resembles an elephant dripping his trumpet in the water.
From this strategic point of the Falaises of Etretat, it is possible to see the village, but also the Manneporte as well as the entrance of the room of the ladies.
La Manneporte
Located at the end of the beach of Jambourg, on the other side of the Porte d’Aval, the Manneporte is the largest and impressive ark of the three that you can admire when you go to the Falaises d’Etretat. Moreover, the name Manneporte comes from the old French and means large door.
From the top of this arch, it is possible to admire the cliff of Aval as well as the Etretat needle, and this place finds it to be an ideal spot for photos worthy of postcards.
Little anecdote: Guy de Maupassant ensured that a ship, all sails outside, could easily pass there, because the ark is immense.
The ladies' room
If you go to the cliff of Aval, you will have the opportunity to see a shrimp, nested at the top of the rocks. This one, named " Chamber of Justice ", is surrounded by a legend that has become sadly famous.
According to the latter, three sisters would have sought refuge there in order to flee the Lord of Fréfossé, since he was furious that they could refuse his advances. After several hours hiding, thinking that they had escaped their pursuers, the sisters decided to leave the crevasse in vain. Indeed, the man had taken care of butchering the entrance of the latter, knowing that the three sisters were there.
They were thus unable to get out of this hole and, after more than seventy-two hours without eating or drinking, they succumbed and it is said that their ghosts still haunt this place.
Etretat’s needle
This rock formation standing alone away from the cliffs and measuring more than 55 meters high is one of the mysteries of the cliffs. Indeed, the fact that only this piece remained in the middle of the water while the rest of the rock was dug up to its current state in plots more than one.
But that’s not all! Describe with precision in a novel Maurice Leblanc , this needle intrigues the writer’s fans. According to the work of the latter, the needle would be hollow and would close the secret of the kings of France. In addition, this would be the location where the famous Arsène Lupin hid in order to escape his pursuers.
The Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde chapel
Slate Recovery and made of sized stones, the Chapel Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde d’Etretat is one of the monuments to see while you walk to visit the Falaises of Etretat. This place of worship, also known as the chapel of the sailors, was built in 1854 and rebuilt in the same in 1950, after its destruction by the Germans during the war.
Although a grid prevents entry into the building, the view of the outside of the chapel is worth a visit, and the photos you can take from it overlooking the cliffs will be just magical.
The cave of Trou à l’Homme
The Trou à l’Homme is a small cave whose name refers to a Swedish sailor who, in 1792 after a shipwreck, was found alive at the entrance of the cave, while the rest of the crew drowned. This cave attracts many tourists today and since 1922, a tunnel has been dug to connect the beach of Etretat and the beach of Jambourg.
How to go to the cliffs of Etretat?
Les Falaises d’Etretat are located in the north of France, and if you want to see its location on a map or enter the exact address in your GPS, here it is: Falaises d’Etretat, 76790 Etretat.
By car
Starting from Paris, it takes about two hours by car to access the cliffs.
- Take it 113 towards Rouen/Caen leaving the capital.
- Take it A 131 Pont de Tancarville, direction Le Havre.
- Get out. Saint Romaine de Colbosc on the A29
- Once on the D39, take it exit Etainhus / Angerville, l’Orcher and you will arrive at Etretat
By train
Starting from Paris, it is possible to access Etretat by traveling on the line Paris – Le Havre then taking the correspondence Etretat – Lazarus At Bréauté Station.
By bus
In the summer, as well as during the weekends all year round, it is possible to reach Etretat thanks to shuttles from the guard of Bréauté.
Schedules & Rates of Les Falaises d’Etretat
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Zhoto
HORARI
The cliffs are accessible on an ongoing basis , even at night for the most adventurous, although it is not advisable to go in the dark.
RATES
There is no entry to pay to visit Les Falaises d’Etretat.
Council: if you really want to take full advantage of your visit to Les Falaises d’Etretat, then book a personal guide or join one guided tour Could be a good idea. The tourist office of the city and several organizations specializing in guided tours offer many excursions, some on the theme of impressionism or in the form of enigmas.
BON A LEARN
- If you go by car to visit Les Falaises d’Etretat, you should know that that of Amont is accessible with your vehicle.
- If you go hiking, don’t go alone! Many paths are abrupt and it is easy to get hurt to the slightest inattention.
- Avoid visits in the dark, because it can be difficult to spot the edge of the cliffs, and it is to walk on a fragile and risky part of yielding without realizing it.
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