After seeing Étretat in “Lupin” on Netflix, I was already stunned and impressed by the incredible views and those dramatic white cliffs. But honestly, it was even better in real life.

This blog post will provide you with a Paris to Étretat day trip itinerary, because you can visit this postcard-perfect coastal town in France in just one day from Paris! If you are planning a longer stay, don’t miss our full guide on the best things to do in Paris to make the most of your trip! Étretat is a peaceful escape from Paris that is still considered a hidden gem.

Is Étretat worth a day trip from Paris?

Yes, if you have enough time and want to see nature and unique landscapes when visiting France. And even more if you are obsessed with “Lupin” and loved the books as well as the show on Netflix.

Please follow along and find out everything you need to know when taking a daytrip to Étretat from Paris:

Packing tips

You absolutely need comfy sneakers with which you are able to walk for a long time and even climb up many stairs. This is the most important thing to look out for when travelling to Étretat. I also would recommend you take a light jacket (ideally a windbreaker jacket) with you when visiting the coast of France, because the wind is blowing even during summer times. Moreover, taking water and some snacks with you can shorten the long commuting times… Please also take some sunscreen and a portable charger with you, because you will be there for a whole day and taking pictures is a must when visiting!

How to get from Paris to Étretat by train and bus

If I am being honest. It takes a while to get from Paris to Étretat. The trip takes 2 hours and 49 minutes in total. I know. I know. This is a bit of a hurdle, but it is less exhausting than I thought it would be. So now you are asking yourself “how to get to Étretat without a car?” You can easily get from Gare Saint-Lazare, which is in the middle of the city, by train to Breaute-Beuzeville. This is really only a stop, and noooothing else is around. So you can be sure this stop is mostly only for the people who are going to Étretat and back. There, you normally have a very short layover because the buses are driving according to the train plan, so don’t worry when you see your transfer time is only a minute.

Tip: Don’t panic when there are too many people for one bus. Normally, there are more buses coming. You will get to Étretat, no worries!

After getting on the bus, you have another 40 minute ride, through the stunning landscape of Normandy makes it totally worth it.

Booking: We decided to book over Trainline, which lets you book the train, with the cheapest rates. We also have a link if you want to check it out. This is one of our most important travel apps that every traveller needs to have. We also have a blog post about these most important apps that every traveler needs to have. Check it out! This only includes the train and not the bus, but you can easily pay on the bus, which costs around 2-5 Euros.

Tip: At best, you have some cash at hand, just in case!

This is the same for booking your train ticket at the station, which sometimes can be confusing and hard with limited French, so it is easier to just do it with Trainline and have it by hand already, without getting confused.

Yes, it takes a bit of time and effort to go to Étretat for only a day, but again, it is totally worth it in my opinion. A day is totally enough for this small, charming coastal town, so you won’t miss out on anything.

Tip: Make sure to also check the last train/bus before, so that you can plan accordingly and are not stuck in Étretat.

Itinerary

Tip: The best time to visit is to go as early in the morning as possible, try to avoid the midday crowds, to at least enjoy a bit of calmer time in Étretat.

When arriving in Étretat, you already feel the coastal charm vibe. If you started early, then you may already want to take a coffee. Do so at “Pani Pitt”, a small coffee shop where you can sit by the window with your steaming hot coffee and watch people walking by, directly on your way to the cliffs. Well-deserved after getting up so early in the morning! The interior is super uniquely designed and is a collection of different kinds of vintage stools and tables.

Right after your coffee, you can walk to the promenade through Étretat to see the iconic rock formations looking like a needle (Porte d’Aval) for the first time.

What is Étretat famous for?

You can see Etretat on Netflix when watching the infamous “Arsenal Lupin” episode 5, where he walks along the promenade and solves a murder. I have to say that it looks even better than in the Lupin Netflix show, where you can see Étretat.

We were in love with the place at first glance. It is really a cinematic scenery and it makes total sense that it was featured in the show because we were really too stunned to speak.

Right after, take the chance and climb up the right side of the cliffs. The walk up the hill to Falaise d’Amont shouldn’t be underestimated and is steeper than you may think, but it is worth every pearl of sweat!

Tip: While walking up you can sometimes step a bit beside the walk and take amazing pictures of the needle! But please watch out and only do it if you feel comfortable! Often there are small paths showing the way to the best photo spots!

The view of the rugged coastline is breathtaking and makes it an unforgettable panorama. From the top, you have the iconic postcard view of the Porte d’Aval with the turquoise water and white cliffs. On top, you will find the little chapel called Notre-Dame de la Garde and from there you can see the whole town. To enjoy it even more, we walked a bit along the cliffs and took a slow travel moment and snacked on our baguette from Paris to enjoy a petit dejeuner.

Not far away are the “les Jardin d’Etretat”, where you can take a little walk through it and take pictures of the popular stone moon faces. If you are on a tight budget, which I assume that you are then I wouldn’t say that you need to spend 12,90€ for a garden which is easily seen in 15 minutes and yes the view is amazing but it is the same as from the top of the hill.

For midday, you should walk a bit more through the city and check out the Les Halles d’Étretat for finding local souvenirs and local products and the hall in itself is very cool to look at, because it is built in traditional half-timbered Norman style and was originally a fish market.

Tip: If you are visiting in summer, you might die because of the heat, so take a quick stop at “Chocolats hautot Étretat” to get a super delicious and rich tasting chocolate ice cream for the necessary cool down! I am a dark chocolate ice cream lover and this one blew me away!

Enjoy your ice cream on the beach, enjoying the sun and prepare yourself for the next hike on this wonderful day. The hike starts right from the beach, but this time from the other side. Falaise d’Aval also gives you a great view of the natural arch. The steep climb is only very short and then you can enjoy a nice flat scenic walk along the cliffs. If you go further along the way, you have fewer people and a better view of the iconic Port d’Aval, which is better for pictures.

Tip: If you can /want to visit only one side (understandable, thinking about those climbs…) I would recommend you to do the Falaise d’Amount because it is less crowded and more chill as well, also you get amazing photos of the needle and the town.

Before going back, you can also visit the former house of the famous author Maurice Leblanc, creator of Arsène Lupin. The museum, called Le Clos Arsène Lupin, offers an immersive look into his life and stories. If you’re a fan of the Netflix series Lupin or the books, it might be worth stopping by.

Tip: Check the opening hours a day prior, because they depend on the season and sometimes it is only open in the late after hours or morning. It really depends.

The last stop before going back to Paris has to be to try the famous crepes from the Normandy region, which you get the best ones from “Le Lann-Bihoué”. They have not only sweet but also savoury, and you can get them with so many different flavours. There is something for every taste! I have to say that we went at a time when usually not many people are eating, so there was still plenty of space for us to sit. My friend, with whom I travelled, wasn’t the biggest fan of the savoury crepes, due to the fact that buckwheat, which the Normandy crepes are made of, has a very distinct taste. But I personally really enjoyed mine and believe that you need to try it at least once when visiting the Normandy.

TIP: This is a very cheap food option, while still tasting something from the Normandy’s food culture. The cheapest already starts from around 7€ per crepe, with only one ingredient, and you can order more if you like.

With a full belly and a full heart, it’s time to go back to the city! When you are staying for bit longer then don’t forget to check out a few cute cafes in Paris from someone (ähhh me) who lived there for half a year. 

Photo spots:

Of course, we also provide you with the best photo spots for your socials, because with every trip, the influencer era has to be on!

• The main beach and the arch from the promenade
• From the top of the cliffs (from both sides amazing)
• The faces in the garden of Étretat

This blog post summarises everything that you need to see when visiting Étretat from Paris, with our honest opinions, best food spots and all the important things to pack for this day trip.

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XOXO Emma