Étretat Day Trip from Bayeux: Private Cliffs and Honfleur Tour
Walk above the white cliffs of Étretat, then end the day at Honfleur’s old harbor. Your own driver collects you in Bayeux and brings you back, with the timing set by you.
Étretat sits on the Alabaster Coast, on the far side of the Seine estuary from Bayeux. It is a long drive, about 2 hours each way, so it pays to have a plan. A private tour gives you one: a driver who knows the road, a start time that suits you and a second stop, Honfleur, that lies on the way home.
You pay one price per group, not per person, and you stay in one vehicle all day. Add a licensed guide if you want the cliffs and the harbor explained. Prefer something shorter? Our Honfleur and Deauville day trip from Bayeux keeps the driving much lighter, and you can see all seven private tours from Bayeux side by side on one page.
Bayeux
Étretat
Lunch
Honfleur
Bayeux
Bayeux to Étretat: Distance and Drive Time
Searching for the distance from Bayeux to Étretat? Expect about 2 hours by car without traffic, and the drive back from Étretat to Bayeux takes about the same. Our route adds Honfleur on the return, so the day looks like this.
Leg
Approximate drive
What to expect
Bayeux to Étretat
About 2 hours
The longest leg, so we leave early if you want a long walk on the cliffs
Étretat to Honfleur
About 1 hour
Back across the Seine estuary
Honfleur to Bayeux
About 1 hour 15
The last stretch home along the motorway
That is roughly 4 to 4.5 hours of driving over the day. Times are approximate and change with traffic and the season.
What Guests Say About Our Normandy Tours
Read what past guests wrote about their driver, their guide and the pace of the day. You can also read our reviews on Tripadvisor.
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Lori Seigal
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Steven was an amazing driver.. timely, pleasant and helped make our day to Normandy perfect.
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Mc Steven Catacutan
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Pick up from Roissy CDG was on Time, Roissy to Le Havre was good, thank the driver Tibo
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Brittni Battaglia
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We used Normandy Private Tours for our two different stops in France. Tibo was our driver both times. Communication prior to the trip was great. Tibo was on time, gave us lots of information and knew all of the great places to stop. We will definitely book again when we visit next.
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Richard Blakeman
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Kelly Connor
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Fantastic time! Trust Tibo to show you a lovely day in Normandy! He’s very knowledgeable about both the area and world history, giving context and color to the day.
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Wayne Ruth
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Beautiful historic scenery enroute, with a perfect driver
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Randy Goodman
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This was more of a private driver than a "tour." In the end, it's all we really wanted. We were on a cruise and we needed a ride from the Port of LeHavre to Rouen, and then a return ride at the end of the day. And that's what we got. Our driver was nice and he did what we needed. We were driven in a clean Mercedes Van. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the price. 899 Euros (over $1000 US) was pretty hefty to drive 4 people about an hour each way. Our concern was that we wanted to be sure that we had a ride, and we were willing to pay, so this isn't a complaint. More of an observation.
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Deena Clausen
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Eliza was a fantastic guide - her knowledge of all the WWII sites was phenomenal and really enhanced our Normandy experience. And she was very friendly and fun! We really enjoyed our day with her!
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Susan Gibson
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Our tour guide Elisa Denis was exceptional in showing us the Canadian and UK sectors. She had a lot of easy to read pages with invasion routes and old photos etc that really gave context to D Day. She was incredibly knowledgable, passionate and fun to be with. Highly recommended!
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jon goldmark
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Wonderful and polite service. Very knowledgeable and professional.
Étretat: Chalk Cliffs, a Stone Arch and a Needle
The town of Étretat sits in a dip between two chalk cliffs. On the western side, the Falaise d’Aval ends in the Porte d’Aval, a natural arch, with a tall rock called the Needle standing just offshore. On the eastern side, the Falaise d’Amont carries the small chapel of Notre-Dame de la Garde.
Painters came here long before the tourists. Claude Monet painted these cliffs many times, and the writer Maurice Leblanc set an Arsène Lupin novel around the Needle. Walking the cliff path today, it is easy to see why.
What to do in Étretat on your day trip
Climb the Falaise d’Aval. The path up from the beach gives the classic view of the arch and the Needle. It is free.
Walk the pebble beach. Étretat’s beach is made of rounded stones, not sand, so wear shoes you can walk in.
See the old covered market. The wooden market hall in the center of town sits a few steps from the sea front.
Visit the Jardins d’Étretat. This clifftop garden charges admission, so it is not part of the tour price.
Tell us what you want to do and we plan the time at each stop around it. Staying only for the cliffs and a long lunch is just as good as filling every hour.
Honfleur: Old Harbor, Wooden Church and Painters’ Streets
On the way back to Bayeux, we stop in Honfleur, a small port on the Seine estuary. Its Vieux Bassin, the old harbor, is lined with tall, narrow houses and crowded with fishing boats and yachts. Eugène Boudin, who taught Monet to paint outdoors, was born in the town.
Look for the church of Sainte-Catherine, built of wood by shipbuilders, and the Lieutenance, the old governor’s house at the harbor mouth. Then walk the side streets, where galleries and cafés fill the old buildings. Want a longer stay in town? See our Honfleur and Deauville private tour.
A Sample Day: Bayeux, Étretat, Honfleur and Back
This is an example only. You set the start time, and your driver adjusts every stop to match.
Time
Where
What happens
8:30
Bayeux
Pick-up at your hotel, Airbnb or the station
10:30
Étretat
Arrive, then walk the beach and climb a cliff path
12:45
Étretat
Lunch in town, at your own expense
14:00
On the road
Drive to Honfleur, about 1 hour
15:00
Honfleur
Harbor, Sainte-Catherine church and the old streets
17:00
On the road
Drive back to Bayeux
18:15
Bayeux
Drop-off where we picked you up
Want to see the cliffs at low tide?
Tides change the beach below the cliffs. Send us your date and we check the tide table before we plan the day.
The guide adds €499 and speaks English, Spanish, Italian or German. For 3 travelers the driver price is about €233 each, and for 6 travelers about €133 each, before lunch and entrance fees. More than six? Ask for a coach quote.
Is an Étretat Day Trip From Bayeux Right for You?
A good fit if you
want dramatic coastal scenery and a pretty port in one day
are happy to spend about 4 hours of the day in the car
FootwearWear shoes with grip. Cliff paths are steep, and chalk and wet grass get slippery.
Wind and weatherThe cliff tops are exposed. Bring a windproof layer, even in summer.
Cliff safetyStay on marked paths and behind the barriers. Chalk cliffs erode, and rockfalls happen.
TidesThe sea can come in fast below the cliffs. Check the tide table with us before you walk the beach.
LunchLunch is at your own expense. Ask us for ideas in Étretat or Honfleur when you book.
Reduced mobilityThe cliff path is steep. See our wheelchair adapted tours, and tell us what you need.
Want to add Paris, Giverny or the landing beaches to the same trip? Our custom multi-day tours link several days into one plan.
What Is Included in Your Tour
Included:
Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
Free pick-up and return in Bayeux
Licensed guide, when you add the guide option
Not included:
Lunch
Entrance fees (such as the Jardins d’Étretat)
Gratuities (recommended: 10% for guides, 5% for drivers)
The licensed guide, unless added (+€499)
Payment Terms & Cancellation Policy
Payment: 30% deposit at booking. Remaining 70% due 30 days before the tour.
Cancellation Policy: Cancel 48+ hours before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Étretat from Bayeux?
Étretat is about 2 hours by car from Bayeux each way, so a return trip means roughly 4 hours of driving. If you add Honfleur on the way home, plan for about 4 to 4.5 hours in total. Our driver sets off at a time that suits you, and we recommend an early start.
How much is a private Étretat day trip from Bayeux?
A private tour with a driver only costs €699 for 1-3 travelers and €799 for 4-6 travelers. A licensed guide adds €499, which makes €1,198 or €1,298 per group. The price is per group, not per person, and pick-up in Bayeux is free.
Is Étretat worth a day trip from Bayeux?
Yes, if you like dramatic coastal scenery and are happy with a long drive. The chalk cliffs, the stone arch and the Needle are among the most photographed sights in Normandy. If you only have half a day or prefer history, a closer tour such as the D-Day beaches tour may suit you better.
Can I visit Étretat and Honfleur in one day from Bayeux?
Yes. Honfleur lies on the road back to Bayeux, so we visit Étretat first and Honfleur at the end of the day. You see the cliffs in the morning and the old harbor in the afternoon, and your driver stays with you throughout.
How do I get from Bayeux to Étretat without a car?
Without a car, you need several changes of train or bus, and the journey takes much longer than driving. A private tour or transfer is door to door: your driver collects you in Bayeux and drives you straight to the cliffs.
How do I get back from Étretat to Bayeux?
On our tour, your driver takes you back. We leave Étretat in the afternoon, stop in Honfleur, and bring you to the same place in Bayeux where we picked you up.
Should I choose a driver only or a licensed guide?
Choose driver only if you want to explore freely. Add the licensed guide (+€499) if you want the story of the cliffs, the painters and the harbor told as you go. Guides speak English, Spanish, Italian or German, and the tour stays private either way.
How much time do we spend in Étretat and Honfleur?
A typical day gives you about three hours in Étretat, including lunch, and about two hours in Honfleur. You set the pace, so tell us if you would rather spend longer on the cliffs or in the harbor.
Is the cliff walk in Étretat hard?
The paths up the cliffs are steep, and the pebble beach is uneven. Wear shoes with grip, and take your time. For reduced mobility, we run wheelchair adapted tours, so tell us what you need and we confirm what is possible.
Does the tide matter in Étretat?
Yes. The tide changes the beach below the cliffs, and the sea can come in fast. Send us your travel date and we check the tide table before we plan your day. Always stay on marked paths and behind the barriers.
Where do you pick us up, and how many people can come?
We collect you at your hotel, Airbnb or the station in Bayeux, at the time you choose. One vehicle takes 1-3 or 4-6 travelers. For a bigger party, ask us for a coach quote.
What is the payment and cancellation policy?
You pay a 30% deposit at booking and the remaining 70% 30 days before the tour. If you cancel 48 hours or more before the tour, you get a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable.
