FECAMP : HIKING FROM ETRETAT TO FECAMP

Fécamp

Fécamp is a small port city in Normandy near Étretat. This city enjoyed their flourish era for its codfish and herring fashing. Today it's famous for its herbal liqueur bevarage, Bénédictine.

Train from Paris

1. Paris - Le Havre - Etretat
- Transfer from Saint-Lazare station to Le Havre by train (about 2 hours 10 minutes)
- Take bus number 24 from Le Havre station to Etretat (about 1 hour)

2. Paris - Bréauté-Beuzeville - Etretat
- Take the train from Saint-Lazare station to Bréauté-Beuzeville (about 1 hour 50 minutes)
- Take the bus number 17 from Bréauté-Beuzeville to Etretat (about 40 minutes) (from April to October)

※ Since there are not many buses, it is good to know the operating time in advance.
    The bus schedule is available from here.

From Étretat to Fécamp, there is a famous hiking route on the long white cliffs.
The GR21 is a long-distance hiking trail in Normandy, which is a part of the GR network of trails. It begans from Le Havre, newly developed city from the World War II. You can either start your hiking from Le Havre northwards to Fécamp via Étretat, or from Étretat to Fécamp. The latter course takes 4 to 5 hours on foot. Bring your hiking shoes since this route include even 45-degree steep on the way.

While walking a long way, you'll feel that it worth challenging this route by looking at the beautiful landscapes.This long stretched cliffs are called Alabaster Coast(Côte d'Albâtre) from its chalky white appearance.

Finally, you arrived at your destination, Fécamp. Let's start exploring.

Just down from the hiking trail, along the beach in Fécamp, you'll find a restaurant Le Reidroc with full of local people. After all the walk from the morning, now you deserve to have a nice Normandian lunch.

ATMOSPHERE

When it's sunny in summer, the terrace is highly recommended to eat because you can see the beautiful ocean view with along the Alabaster Coast.

Assiette de tomate mozzarella à l'huile d'olive et au basilic

For starter, the fresh tomato mozzarella is served in a big plate, enough for two persons. 

Les moules normandes

You can't miss this Normandy speciality plate. The marriage of bouillon of moule and whipped cream, cedre, butter are wonderful. You can enjoy the last soup with bread or potatoes.

Assiette du pêcheur

This is called fisherman's plate. You'll be served with various fresh seafood in this big plate. In terms of oysters, this region borders on Belgium in the East and the oyster growers of Normandy produce about 25% of all the oysters in France.

After having a good meal at the restaurant Le Reidroc, you can visit the tourist office and get informations and maps. This office locate in the middle of the harbor area.

WHAT TO SEE

Palais Bénédictine

At the abbey of Fécamp, it is said that the Benedictine monk and alchemist Dom Bernardo Vincelli created a secret elixir. From this mysterious recipe, in 1863, a wine merchant Alexandre Le Grand succeeded to produce a liqueur named "Benedictine”.
He built the Palais Bénédictine in honour of his liqueur, and it has been produced here ever since.

Musée des Pêcheries

You can also visit the fisherman museum.
The museum is devided by five themes over 5000 square metres: sealife, history, fine art, childcare and ethnography.

ADDRESS: 3 Quai Capitaine Jean Recher, 76400 Fécamp

OPEN HOUR:  daily except for Tuesday from 11am to 5:30pm

PRICE: from 4€ to 7€ (audioguide is also available for 2€ per person)

O'BON PARIS' NOTE

Bus is also available between Le Havre-Étretat-Fécamp. From Étretat to Fécamp, it takes 30 minutes.
And you can see the hiking trail below on the map.

Written and Photographed by Leona Fujii

Translated by Leona Fujii