The Alabaster Coast in a weekend: Dieppe, Étretat and Fécamp

Less than two hours from Paris, the Alabaster Coast lines up 130 km of white chalk cliffs between Le Tréport and Le Havre. Dieppe, Fécamp and Étretat are its three jewels: here is how to discover them over a weekend.

Dieppe, the town of four harbours

Fishing port, marina, town of art and history: Dieppe is the ideal gateway to the coast. Don't miss the castle-museum with its ivory collection, the Saturday market (voted among France's finest) and a sole dieppoise facing the harbour. The pebble beach, edged by a huge lawn, hosts an international kite festival every summer.

Étretat, the star cliffs

The Needle and the Aval arch, immortalised by Monet and Maurice Leblanc, must be earned: climb the Amont cliff stairway early in the morning to beat the crowds. The Étretat Gardens above offer a spectacular viewpoint. Tip: in summer, arrive before 10am or after 5pm — the village is tiny and fills fast.

Fécamp and the Bénédictine Palace

Between the two, Fécamp deserves a stop for its Bénédictine Palace, a neo-Gothic folly where the famous liqueur is still distilled, and for its past as capital of the Newfoundland fishing fleet, told at the Fisheries Museum. The Cap Fagnet cliffs, dotted with lookout huts, offer a superb panorama.

Planning your weekend

• Without a car: direct train Paris–Dieppe (2h) or Paris–Le Havre then coastal bus. Once there, the bike is king.
• With a car: follow the tourist road via Veules-les-Roses (France's shortest river) and Saint-Valery-en-Caux.
• Where to stay: Dieppe is the most practical and affordable base. The Villa Carlotta - Sea resort, a charming Norman villa minutes from the beach, is a safe bet rated 8.5/10. More addresses on our Normandy page.
• At the table: moules-frites, sole, smoked herring and apple tart with calvados for dessert.

White cliffs, fishing villages and Impressionist light: the Alabaster Coast is one of the finest escapes from Paris — off season, you will have it almost to yourself.