The Great Door (La Manneporte), Étretat
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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 The Great Door
La Manneporte is the largest and most spectacular natural rock arch along the famous chalk cliffs of Étretat on Normandy's Alabaster Coast. The name derives from Old French meaning 'Great Door,' and the arch is so massive that writer Guy de Maupassant famously declared a ship could sail through it with all sails deployed. Unlike the two other famous arches (Porte d'Aval and Porte d'Amont) visible from town, La Manneporte rewards visitors who make the 30-minute hike along the GR21 trail to discover this hidden geological masterpiece.
Combine with 7 nearby attractions for a full day
From €12.5 / person — all tickets and transport included — transit route with total cost breakdown
La Manneporte is so colossal that renowned French writer Guy de Maupassant famously compared it to a 'Gothic portal' capable of letting a fully-rigged sailing ship pass through with all its sails unfurled. This vivid description from his 1883 short story 'Le Horla' helped cement the arch's legendary status in French literature and continues to captivate visitors who try to imagine this spectacular sight.
Travel Plans for The Great Door (La Manneporte)
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Cliffs and Culture of Étretat
Étretat
