Why visit Étretat?
Why visit Étretat? Three reasons, a one-day itinerary, and a simple solution to get there at the time that suits you.
The Étretat cliffs, carved by the sea and painted by Monet, are the most iconic image of the Alabaster Coast. One day is enough to climb to both cliffs, walk through the gardens, and head down to the pebble beach.
Located in the Seine-Maritime department, about 205 km from Paris and 90 km from Rouen, Étretat is perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The town is easy to explore on foot once you arrive: it is the outward journey and the return trip in the evening that require planning.
Must-sees in Étretat
- 1. The Aval cliff and its needle
- 2. The Étretat Gardens
- 3. The Amont cliff
The best time to visit: Spring and autumn, when the paths are calmer.
A day in Étretat, hour by hour
| 9:00 AM | Pick-up at your address in a private vehicle, coffee on board, scheduled arrival 2 hours 10 minutes later. |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | First visit: the Aval cliff and its needle. |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch in the town center, Norman specialties and local produce. |
| 3:00 PM | The Étretat Gardens. |
| 5:00 PM | The Amont cliff. |
| 7:00 PM | Return to your address, Paris or the airport, driver at the agreed meeting point. |
Train, coach or private car with driver for Étretat?
Étretat is served by Bréauté-Beuzeville station, on the Paris – Le Havre line. You stop at Bréauté-Beuzeville and then take a coach or taxi for the final 25 km. Normally, allow 2 hours by train, then a 30-minute drive from Paris Saint-Lazare. It’s a good solution when everything runs smoothly. Étretat no longer has a train station: the coach from Bréauté is infrequent, does not run in the evening and often leaves travelers stranded.
| Solution | Door-to-door time | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Train Paris Saint-Lazare → Bréauté-Beuzeville station | 2 hours train + 30 mins drive + transit time | Fixed schedules, luggage to carry, last departure early |
| Regional coach | Often 3 hours or more | Few departures, no evening service |
| Private car with driver | 2 hours 10 mins without changes | Road traffic during peak hours |
Our shuttle takes over when the rail system fails: strikes, track work, cancelled trains, missed connections, night flights, or simply when you are traveling with children, professional equipment or too many suitcases for a station platform. We pick you up at your address, at the time decided together, and drop you off at Étretat without any changes.
How to get to Étretat — and get back
Étretat is located about 205 km from Paris and 90 km from Rouen, approximately a 2-hour-10-minute drive from the capital. In a private car with a driver, the journey is direct, from your address to your hotel, starting from 255 € in a sedan and 310 € in a 7-seater van, price per vehicle.
For airport transfers from Étretat, allow 280 € for Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle and 275 € for Orly. On the return, your driver will greet you in the arrivals hall with a sign and track your flight in real-time.
Good to know before you leave
- Bring good shoes: the cliff paths climb steeply.
- Book your visits and restaurant tables in advance during high season.
- Parking is often saturated on weekends: being dropped off saves you from driving in circles for half an hour.
- The Norman climate changes quickly: a windbreaker is warmer than an umbrella against the sea breeze.
- The last trains leave early: check the return time before booking dinner.
Towns served around Étretat
We don’t just stop in the center of Étretat: hotels, gîtes, reception halls, companies and surrounding villages are all served at the same mileage rate. Here are the most requested destinations nearby, each with its own dedicated page.
- Shuttle Le Havre → Paris — Seine-Maritime, approx. 15 km from Étretat. What to see in Le Havre
- Shuttle Fécamp → Paris — Seine-Maritime, approx. 15 km from Étretat. What to see in Fécamp
- Shuttle Veules-les-Roses → Paris — Seine-Maritime, approx. 15 km from Étretat. What to see in Veules-les-Roses
- Shuttle Le Tréport → Paris — Seine-Maritime, approx. 10 km from Étretat. What to see in Le Tréport
- Shuttle Honfleur → Paris — Calvados, approx. 15 km from Étretat. What to see in Honfleur
- Shuttle Deauville → Paris — Calvados, approx. 15 km from Étretat. What to see in Deauville
Taxi, private hire (VTC) or private shuttle to Étretat?
Many travelers search for a “taxi Étretat” when what they really need is a price known in advance. The difference is simple: a taxi starts the meter and the total depends on traffic; a VTC like Navette Privée provides the price upon booking and it does not change, even in the event of traffic jams or a delayed flight.
- Taxi Étretat: convenient for a short trip in town, variable price, advance booking rarely guaranteed.
- VTC Étretat: booked for a specific time, known driver, confirmed vehicle, fixed rate.
- Airport shuttle Étretat: 280 € to Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, 275 € to Orly, 255 € to central Paris in a sedan, tolls and luggage included.
For an early morning departure, a late-night return, or an Étretat – Paris trip with suitcases, the private shuttle is often cheaper than a metered taxi, and always less stressful than a train with a connection. Call 06 88 14 67 82 or request your quote online: we respond within minutes.
Book your trip to Étretat
The price quoted for Étretat includes fuel, tolls, parking and the meet-and-greet service. You can pay by card on board, by bank transfer, or on invoice if you are traveling for business.
- Payment by card, cash, transfer or company invoice
- Written quotes for groups and businesses
- Flight and train monitoring, waiting time included
- Baby seats and boosters at no extra cost