Initially the ride to Etretat was Very choppy. I would have swum to shore if it wasn't for my iPad and paintbox. I don't ride ferris wheels either.
The views are even more spectacular from the boat than from the beach. The associated stories are endless - pirates, black market dealings, Marie-Antoinette required oysters regularly from the fresh water rivulets that stream down the cliffs(no longer available), ship-wrecked sailors survived in its natural caves, their use during the WW II occupation.The cliffs go back as far as B.C.
Every promontory has a name and stories attached. Altogether a terrific experience, especially if you have good sea legs and like ridding ferris wheels.
A wander around Fecamp led me up to the Benedictine Palais..closed till 2 for the brandy tour. Still you could picnic in its parks if you hadn't already stuffed yourself with seafood.
Every morning at 6:30 I ate this eggy flan + hot chocolate for breakfast from the patisserie. Très Delish. I naively took it down to the beach to look at the cliffs, something you feel compelled to do at all times of the day. Me & my flan at 7 am. And the gulls (golands). They spotted me and grabbed my flan. Swooped down in seconds. Back to the patisserie for another flan.
Lunch Of another fruit de mer in a cafe/restaurant along the beach (19.50). Don't get the over-priced trifle but rather an ice cream from the hut further along the beach. I learned to love bulots (welks or sea snails) in the upper left of my plate next to the fab mayo. They taste like clams and are chewy.
My 14th century hotel, La Residence Salamandre. 54€ a night. I never found the showers, just ran to the pool soon as I returned to Paris..ahem.
Definitely wear something stripped no matter your size. Etretat isn't a fancy place. Lots of families and dogs. I plan to return. You should too!
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