Is it possible to park at the top of the hill near the Chapelle Notre Dame de la Garde at Etretat in Normandy? I see there is a big parking lot there and I was hoping to park for an hour or so while I walk from here along the cliffs and into the town.
If not, is there a better place to park? I don't mind paying, but I have heard that parking can be challenging there.
Posted by
105 posts
I don't know if there is a way to park at the top of the hill. When DH and I went, there was a parking lot right in the town by the boardwalk. It was a beautiful sunny day on a weekday in May and we had no problem finding a spot. On the way out of town I did notice a couple of other lots further away. It's not a difficult town in which to drive so I would start with the lot closest to the boardwalk and then keep moving farther out until you find a spot.
Posted by
OP
NY
2 posts
@ melodyesch,
Thanks for your helpful response! I will try to park in the town by the boardwalk. Mainly I just wanted a backup plan to make sure I wasn't going to get there and spend 30 minutes going in circles for a spot. But from what you said, I can always park a little ways out and walk in, if necessary.
Someone had said it is hard to find parking in Honfleur, so I figured I better check if the same was true in Etretat, especially since I'm just trying make it a stop along my way.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7158 posts
Leo, you are right that it can be hard to find parking in Honfleur, especially if you need to park in town. They do have a couple of remote parking lots if you can walk 10-15 mins into town. I didn't have any trouble finding a place in the lot and I was there on a day when there was some kind of a festival going on and it was quite crowded.
I also was in Etretat on a mid-week day and I was able to find a spot in town without too much trouble.
Maybe you'll get lucky too.
EDIT Wow, I didn't realize how lucky I was getting a space to park on the main street in Etretat. I was there on a wednesday in July 3 years ago - and it was a nice weather day too.
Posted by
Chicago
8551 posts
We were there at the end of October a couple of years ago and there was no available parking on an overcast showery day that time of year in the lots near the boardwalk. We had to park a ways out and walk in -- not a big deal, but I can imagine it is a nightmare actually in season. It is well worth the trip but convenient parking is not likely in high season. You can see our stop here:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/etretat-the-impressionists-had-an-eye-for-a-beautiful-place/
We loved the place and I am so glad I stumbled upon it in my very last minute planning for this trip from Paris.