Downstream Cliff, Étretat
Plan your visit
Best of Étretat in One Day
8 attractions · 9h 48min · transit route
Tickets ~€12.5
Step-by-step route with transport options and cost breakdown
About Downstream Cliff
Falaise d'Aval is the most iconic of Étretat's famous chalk cliffs, rising 74 meters above the English Channel on the Normandy coast. The cliff features a spectacular natural arch called the Porte d'Aval, which resembles an elephant dipping its trunk into the sea, and the striking 55-meter-tall needle-shaped rock formation known as L'Aiguille d'Étretat standing isolated in the water. These dramatic white cliffs, formed from 85-million-year-old chalk from the Upper Cretaceous period, captivated Claude Monet who painted over 60 canvases of this landscape between 1883-1885.
Downstream Cliff — Planning Your Visit
Open 24/7
This attraction is accessible at any time, no specific opening hours required.
Combine with 7 nearby attractions for a full day
From €12.5 / person — all tickets and transport included — transit route with total cost breakdown
The natural arch Porte d'Aval famously resembles an elephant dipping its trunk into the sea - a comparison that has captivated visitors for centuries. Contrary to popular belief, this spectacular arch was not carved by ocean waves but by underground rivers and rainwater that dissolved the chalk from within, with the sea later sculpting the final form we see today.
Travel Plans for Downstream Cliff
Explore a city in one day
- Step-by-step walking route through the city
- Transport options with travel times and fares
- Entrance fees and opening hours for every stop
- Total cost calculated based on your preferences
Day Routes
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Cliffs and Culture of Étretat
Étretat
