The 10 addresses that make up Étretat

In 1835, Victor Hugo wrote to his daughter Adèle, "What I saw at Étretat was admirable. The immense cliff is sheer, the great arch is exposed, it's the most gigantic architecture there is". Étretat is first and foremost famous for its cliffs, but it would be unfair to reduce the small Normandy resort to this treasure alone. Its 1900 villas are a reminder that Queen Hortense and the Duchesse du Berry launched the fashion for sea bathing here, and that the little resort was also a haven for many artists-painters, musicians (Offenbach has his festival here every summer) and, of course, writers.... Maurice Leblanc in particular, who imagined the mythical Aiguille de limcaire to be totally hollow, sheltering Arsène Lupin's treasures. While the town is very much alive, it has nonetheless retained a romantic side and an attachment to the past that is one of its greatest charms. Discover it as soon as possible...

Where to stay in Étretat?

Les Tilleuls

You enter this 18th-century mansion along a beautiful avenue of lime trees, and the tone is already set: elegant and witty. In the heart of Étretat, a town dear to painters and writers, this elegant residence is now the property of Camille Gersdorff, who has transformed it into a guest house.Camille Gersdorff has transformed it into a guest house, distilling a cleverly old-fashioned atmosphere with oak parquet floors, flowery curtains and objects sourced from all over the world. The five bright, spacious bedrooms are inspired by the same theme, and are extended by small balconies opening onto the garden. On the first floor, a library, lounge and chic kitchen also welcome guests, not forgetting the home cinema in the basement. An ideal stopover, 300 m from the mythical cliffs and the House of Maurice Leblanc.

• Double room from 218 euros
• 45 rue Isabey 76790 Étretat
• Tel: 02 35 27 76 76
• Further information on Les Tilleuls

Henry Diagne

Dormy House

The Étretat faithful (and there are many) swear by this address, which offers its guests a rare privilege: a 180° view of the English Channel and the world-famous cliffs. A magical sight at sunset, to be admired from the hotel's terrace, sipping a drink before retiring to one of the 58 rooms and 3 suites spread between the main building and the annex, just a stone's throw away, in the heart of the 3-hectare park. Special mention must be made of the two restaurants offering seafood cuisine based on regional products: the Dormy bistro and the traditional restaurant overlooking the sea, with the feeling of being on the water.

• Double room from 234 euros, breakfast included
• Route du Havre 76790 Étretat
• Tel: 02 35 27 07 88
• www.dormy-house.com

Where to eat, drink and dine in Étretat?

Domaine Saint-Clair - Le Donjon

Here's the review of this restaurant: "Rodolphe Pottier will be joined by his brother Jordan, who will bring a new dimension to the service of this beautiful house, perched on the heights of the seaside resort. Our first meals under Rodolphe have been excellent. To be continued." Read more

• Chemin de Saint-Clair, 76790 Étretat

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Les Caloges

This bistro overlooking the beach is now the HQ of all Étretat locals, who come here to watch the sun go down while sipping a drink on the terrace, accompanied by seafood platters or delicious tapas. Don't miss the DJ evenings on Friday evenings in summer, which go on until late, late into the night.

• Front de mer, Le Perrey 76790 Étretat
• www.facebook.com/lescaloges

Things to see and do in Étretat...

A walk on the Aval and Amont cliffs

You'll never tire of discovering them, from dawn to dusk. To do so, first reach the top of the Aval cliff (71m) and take the extraordinary hiking trail overhanging the sea to reach the Porte d'Aval, a stunningly harmonious arch considered one of the natural wonders of the world. On the other side, the Amont cliff also reveals its treasures - the little Notre-Dame-de-la-garde chapel, an immense white spire pointing skywards in homage to the aviators of the past.e to the sky in tribute to the aviators Nungesser and Coli, but above all the breathtakingly beautiful view of the mythical Aiguille, 42m high, a monumental limestone obelisk sculpted by the sea and the winds. To be rediscovered from the beach and, if possible, at dusk, as the cliffs are illuminated. Totally hypnotic...

The gardens of Étretat

The work of Russian landscape gardener Alexandre Frivko, this contemporary garden perched atop the Amont cliff features poetic compositions of pruned boxwood, echoing the waves of the sea.s that echo the waves of the English Channel, and above all a 180° view of the hollow needle and the forest of Étretat's rooftops. Labelled a remarkable garden, it's one of the most beautiful spots in Normandy.

• Avenue Damialaville 76790 Étretat
• Tel: 02 35 27 05 76
• www.etretatgarden.fr

Les Vieilles Halles

In 1926, the Compagnons de la Manche decided to rebuild the old halles (covered market) using old materials salvaged from the surrounding area, giving this covered market a real medieval feel with its half-timbering, old beams and slate roofs. Today, it's home to a range of delicatessens and interior design boutiques. A stone's throw away, you can continue your gourmet stroll at the La Mer à Boire grocery store, brimming with good local produce (sardine rillettes, fish soups...).

• Boulevard René Coty 76790 Étretat
• La Mer à Boire, 1 Place du Général de Gaulle, 76790 Étretat
• Tel: 09 50 94 88 12

Le Clos Lupin and the Belle Époque villas of the coast

It was in this sumptuous 1900 mansion, renamed Le Clos Lupin, that Maurice Leblanc wrote his famous adventures of the greatest thief every summer for over 20 years. The site now offers an immersive visit to the world of Arsène Lupin through a variety of theatrical settings, not forgetting the engravings and manuscripts that seek to unravel the fabulous mystery of the hollow needle. Not far away, rue Offenbach reveals other Belle Époque villas such as the Villa Orphée or the sublime Château des Aygues, where the queens of Spain stayed at the end of the XIXᵉ century.

• 15 rue Guy de Maupassant. 76790 Étretat
• Tel: 02 35 10 59 53

Heritage Museum

Discover the history and geography of Étretat, from the formation of the famous cliffs to the transformation of the small fishing villageartists (Matisse, Monet, Courbet) who took it in turns to paint the famous needle, to the throes of the First and Second World Wars. A moving place, imagined and managed by an association of volunteers in love with their town and its past.

• Avenue Damialaville 76790 Étretat
• Tel: 02 27 43 58 94
• www.lehavre-etretat-tourisme.com

The little village of Yport

Just ten kilometers from Étretat, this little-known resort is also home to its share of 1900s villas, as well as beautiful fishermen's cottages and a church full of ex-votos, which you can discover as you wander through its winding streets. Don't miss the harbor and its colorful boats, inspired by the Doris used for cod fishing off Newfoundland. A charming, forgotten place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Étretat and its usual stream of tourists.