The picturesque coastal town of Étretat in Normandy is no longer an insider tip. The iconic chalk cliffs and rock arches attract almost 1.5 million visitors every year.
But with the popularity came problems: Overcrowded paths, environmental destruction, piles of rubbish and dangerous selfies on cliff edges. In addition, the progressive erosion of the coast poses a constant threat of falling rocks. The response? Stricter regulations for visitors.
Restricted access to cliffs
Certain areas have been closed off to protect the sensitive rock formations and visitors. It is now expressly forbidden to walk through the famous rock arches, and visitors may only venture within 5 meters of the cliff edges to avoid serious accidents.
However, the beach on the Étretat promenade is exempt from the regulations.
Heavy fines may be imposed
Those who do not adhere to the new restrictions risk a fine of at least 35 euros. In addition to serious accidents, the fire brigade will also charge for rescue operations in the future if people have to be rescued from the cliffs.
The problems have been known for some time. As early as 2022, the fire brigade warned of the dangers that threatened both on the cliff and at its foot. People were already taking more and more risks to take photos on the cliffs back then. The development called for concrete measures.
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