10 hours
E-voucher
English
Your full day out on Normandy’s scenic coast begins early in the morning: With pickup directly from your Paris hotel, you’re ensured a hassle-free way to travel, and to explore beyond city limits.
On this private tour, you won’t just discover several coastal highlights at your own pace—you’ll immerse yourself in the history of Impressionism. Your first stop is the resort town of Étretat, where you’ll discover its postcard-ready Alabaster Coast. As you go, your guide will share stories about the region’s history and its influence on artists and writers across the centuries.
Next, spend several hours discovering Le Havre: a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With included admission to its landmark Museum of Modern Art André Malraux (MuMa), you’ll get up close to numerous Impressionist masterpieces, all while your guide shares the stories behind the canvases.
After strolling through the city and learning more about its architectural history, you’ll return to your Paris hotel at the end of the day, where this tour ends.
Operated by
Normandy Melody
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VTC-Rouen, Sept 2024
An extra day in Etretat (Normandy), followed by a delicious meal by the sea and only 45 minutes from Rouen.
RiccardoAngela, Dec 2023
A wonderful trip, wonderful places, it would be nice to go back again, we went by car, we had all the stops already with hotels booked, they don't speak Italian but as in all places there is the nice and the not so nice.
maggie3652018, Oct 2019
I loved my Normandy Melody small group tour to Étretat & Le Havre. The drive from Paris to the Normandy coast effectively follows the Seine to its estuary leading to the sea. The bridge we used to cross over it was spectacular. It was then a thrill to see the white chalk cliffs at Étretat which inspired many of the works of Courbet, Boudin, Monet and others. Seeing the shifting light over the famous arches and L'Aiguille (The Needle) I could understand Monet’s obsession in painting this area. This was followed by a visit to Le Havre (Monet’s home town and where he painted the famous ‘Impression, Sunrise’) and the impressive Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux in Le Havre which has works by Boudin, Renoir, Pissaro, Sisley, Degas, Courbet, Corot and others. I was lucky to see a special temporary exhibition there of the work of Raoul Dufy who was born in Le Havre in 1877. Our Normandy Melody driver/guide was Joanna, who was intelligent, knowledgable, funny and friendly. And also an excellent driver including asserting herself through peak Paris traffic on our return. The pickup and drop off at my Paris accomodation was very much appreciated, especially at 7.15am. I highly recommend Normandy Melody and this tour in particular.
Response from Host, Oct 2019
Dear Margaret, I thank you for this nice review. The beauty of the place has indeed inspired many artists. The region has attracted many. The fashion of the sea baths, then the stop of the train, the variety of landscapes and this particular light. The excursion to Etretat and along the Alabaster Coast, is a pleasure for the eyes. We are delighted that you enjoyed this small group ride with our professional Joanna certified guide, The museum Muma in Havre is indeed a treasure with many masterpieces of Courbet, Monet, Renoir and Boudin in particular, We thank you for your high recommendation and hope to see you again,
This museum by the sea dedicated to light in its multiple forms presents an exceptional collection of artists inspired by the city of Le Havre: Boudin, Renoir, Pissaro, Sisley, Degas, Courbet and Corot...You will be enchanted by this exceptional museum.
Known all over the world, Étretat is undoubtedly the most impressive sight of the Normandy coast. Before the fashion of the sea and sun bathing, Etretat is known, like a small fishing port, famous for its hikes which Marie Antoinette loved.
In 1843, Étretat and its sea and sun bathing became popular thanks to the novelist Alphonse Karr. He said, "If I have to show the sea to a friend, it will be in Étretat."
The small fishing village continues to grow. Between the cliffs, pretty villas are built. The casino opens its doors during the 19th century. The arrival of the railway increases its notoriety. From 1890, Étretat became a perfect seaside resort. Renowned writers fall in love with this magical and picturesque setting: Maupassant, André Gide, or Maurice Leblanc, who will make the hollow needle the lair of gentleman burglar Arsène Lupine.
With its narrow streets, seafront, small shops and sunset on the incredible cliffs, Étretat is a small romantic city.
The famous Étretat cliffs inspired many artits. Courbet realized more than fifty paintings of seascapes, cliffs and waves...Monet also found of this landscape, and painted it in all weathers. Admire the Étretat cliffs a world-famous scenery
Known all over the world, Étretat is undoubtedly the most impressive sight of the Normandy coast. Before the fashion of the sea and sun bathing, Etretat is known, like a small fishing port, famous for its hikes which Marie Antoinette loved.
In 1843, Étretat and its sea and sun bathing became popular thanks to the novelist Alphonse Karr. He said, "If I have to show the sea to a friend, it will be in Étretat."
The small fishing village continues to grow. Between the cliffs, pretty villas are built. The casino opens its doors during the 19th century. The arrival of the railway increases its notoriety. From 1890, Étretat became a perfect seaside resort. Renowned writers fall in love with this magical and picturesque setting: Maupassant, André Gide, or Maurice Leblanc, who will make the hollow needle the lair of gentleman burglar Arsène Lupine.
With its narrow streets, seafront, small shops and sunset on the incredible cliffs, Étretat is a small romantic city.
The famous Étretat cliffs inspired many artits. Courbet realized more than fifty paintings of seascapes, cliffs and waves...Monet also found of this landscape, and painted it in all weathers. Admire the Étretat cliffs a world-famous scenery
Known all over the world, Étretat is undoubtedly the most impressive sight of the Normandy coast. Before the fashion of the sea and sun bathing, Etretat is known, like a small fishing port, famous for its hikes which Marie Antoinette loved.
In 1843, Étretat and its sea and sun bathing became popular thanks to the novelist Alphonse Karr. He said, "If I have to show the sea to a friend, it will be in Étretat."
The small fishing village continues to grow. Between the cliffs, pretty villas are built. The casino opens its doors during the 19th century. The arrival of the railway increases its notoriety. From 1890, Étretat became a perfect seaside resort. Renowned writers fall in love with this magical and picturesque setting: Maupassant, André Gide, or Maurice Leblanc, who will make the hollow needle the lair of gentleman burglar Arsène Lupine.
With its narrow streets, seafront, small shops and sunset on the incredible cliffs, Étretat is a small romantic city.
The famous Étretat cliffs inspired many artits. Courbet realized more than fifty paintings of seascapes, cliffs and waves...Monet also found of this landscape, and painted it in all weathers. Admire the Étretat cliffs a world-famous scenery
Discover the remarkable post-war architecture of Le Havre. World Heritage of Unesco, Le Havre is an atypical, modern city that was rebuilt after WW2 by the architect Auguste Perret. In the 19th century, Le Havre is a major port industrial city dedicated to raw materials and passenger transport. Find this particular light that inspired Claude Monet. He painted here Impression Sunrise in 1872. This work gave ts name to the impressionist movement.
English
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.