Normandy’s most famous cliffs, half an hour by car. Chalk arches, a needle rising from the sea, and the light that inspired Monet — a spectacular half-day from the terminal.
Half an hour of cliff road from Le Havre brings you to Étretat’s chalk arches. Climb the Aval cliff for the signature view of the natural arch and its 70-metre needle rising from the sea, then cross the beach to the Amont cliff, where the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde chapel gives the finest view back over the Needle. Above town, the contemporary Gardens of Étretat spill down the slope facing the water, and the long pebble beach below is made for an ice cream and the salt air.
Étretat is an easy half-day. The drive is around thirty minutes, so a leisurely late-morning start still leaves the whole afternoon on the cliffs. Aim for low tide if you can — it opens the foot of the cliffs and the famous arch — and check the times before you leave. Town car parks fill up after lunch, so come earlier or park a little further out. You set the return time yourself, so there is no pressure on the drive back.
The road hugs the Alabaster Coast, an easy run from the terminal. Park on arrival, because the central car parks fill fast in the afternoon, and bring proper shoes — the clifftop paths are grassy and can be slippery. Late in the day the chalk turns gold, the dream moment for photos from the Amont cliff. One fixed price covers the whole group, and the car is yours for the day.
About 30 minutes each way along the Alabaster Coast. It is one of the closest day trips from the terminal.
No early start needed. Leave at a relaxed pace after you disembark; an afternoon on the cliffs is plenty and leaves a wide return margin.
Use the town car parks, which fill fast after lunch — arrive earlier or park a little further out and walk in.
Very unlikely on a 30-minute drive. You set the return time in your own car, with a comfortable margin.
The Aval cliff and its arch, the Amont cliff and chapel, the Gardens of Étretat and the pebble beach — comfortably in an afternoon.
From €75 for the day: the car, unlimited mileage and insurance, delivered to the cruise terminal and collected on your return. No options, no extras.
Same fixed-price, terminal-delivery promise for every stop along the coast. Pick your next drive.
See all destinations →From €75 for the day — Étretat and back. Unlimited km, insurance included, delivered to the cruise terminal. No options, no extras.