Etrétat, France – Amazing White Chalk Cliffs

If your headed to the Normandy region in France don’t miss stopping off in Etrétat, France to check out the amazing white cliffs! Plus you get to check out the shoreline as well! It has a neat walkplatz area with some half timbered buildings, shops, and restaurants. There is also a church you can visit atop one of the cliffs as well.

You really need to drive to the Normandy area as you need a car to get around to all the sites. Etrétat is only 5 hours 30 mins away from Spangdahlem (6 hours from Ramstein) and is only just under 2 hours from the Arromanches and the Gold Beach and 2 hours from Omaha Beach. It’s worth the stop!

Parking can be a bit hectic around the walkplatz, we did try the walkplatz parking area first and were able to score a spot. This is located just off the boardwalk and in between the 2 cliffs The Aval’s Door and The Manneport. You can also park on top of the Aval’s Door at the church and walk down.

Make sure you bring walking shoes as you get the most amazing views from the tops of the cliffs! The paths are a fairly easy climb for most.

As you can see there is some uphill walking to be done, much easier coming down.

You can also walk down into one of the cliffs, neat experience.

Looking out from the cliff.

Also note that the beach is made up of large stones which creates an awesome sound as the waves crash along the beach. We loved just sitting on the rocks and listing to the sea crash in.

The walkplatz area has some souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. I loved this half timbered hotel building.

We enjoyed hanging out here for a bit stretching our legs and getting a snack to recharge for the last 2 hours of the drive. You can also do this on the way back, we stopped at Honfleur on our way back, post coming about that.

Know Before You Go

What: Etrétat, France – Amazing White Chalk Cliffs

How To Get There: It’s about 5 hours 30 mins from Spangdahlem, and 6 hours from Ramstein. GPS addy: We just put in Etrétat and followed the Parking signs. There were signs for both near the walkplatz and up to the chapel parking.

Parking: Parking can be challenging, we chose to try to park in the walkplatz parking area and were lucky enough to score a spot. You pay for parking there. You can also park on top one of the cliffs near the church and walk down as well. Parking is free there.

Cost: Free to walk around the cliffs & city, bring Euro for food and shopping.

Traveling with little kids: This is not a stroller friendly activity if you plan to hike up the cliffs. It would be ok on the boardwalk & walkplatz but you won’t get it up the cliff pants, so bring a carrier if you plan to do that.

How long: Plan on at least 1 hour, more if you plan to eat in the area.