Depart Paris in the morning and enjoy the scenic drive or train to Étretat, arriving before midday; pause for a coffee and fresh baguette at Le Saint-Germain in the village to fuel up. Stroll down to the pebble beach and begin your first walk along the famous cliffs, taking in the Porte d'Aval arch and the needle-like Aiguille rock from the lower promenade and nearby viewpoints.
After a light seafood lunch at a beachfront bistro such as Le Belvédère, explore the cliff-top gardens and follow the GR coastal path toward the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Garde for sweeping sea views. Pop into the Musée Nungesser et Coli to learn about local aviation history, then wander the village streets to browse galleries and shops selling local cider and Normandy treats.
Return to the cliff edge in time for sunset and take the dramatic western walk to watch the golden light on the arches and the English Channel, an ideal photo opportunity near the Falaises viewpoint. Dine on classic Norman cuisine—try moules marinières or sole meunière—at Le Donjon or La Flottille, then enjoy a quiet after-dinner stroll along the illuminated seafront before settling into your Étretat accommodation for the night.
Wake early to catch the soft morning light on the Falaises d'Étretat: follow the GR coastal path from the village up to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde viewpoint, then continue west to the Porte d'Aval and the Aiguille, enjoying quieter photo opportunities and seabird calls. Stop for a leisurely late breakfast or café-crème and freshly baked kouign at La Petite Maison or Le Saint-Germain before a short visit to the Musée Nungesser et Coli to round out your local exploration.
Return to your accommodation to collect luggage and drive or take the mid-afternoon TER/coach back toward Paris, timing the journey to allow a late-afternoon arrival; if time allows, detour through Honfleur for a quick harbour-side stroll and a bowl of fresh moules at a quay-side bistro. On arrival in Paris, check in at your hotel, drop bags, and refresh before heading out to explore the neighborhood—consider a walk along the Seine or a quick visit to the Île de la Cité to shift gears from coastal calm to city energy.
For your first Parisian evening, enjoy a classic bistro dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés—try Le Procope or Brasserie Lipp—for steak frites or confit de canard with a carafe of red. After dinner, take a twilight Seine stroll or a short Métro ride to the Eiffel Tower esplanade to see the lights sparkle, then return to your hotel for a good night's rest ahead of a full day of Paris sights.
Start the day in the heart of Paris with a café and croissant at Café de Flore before heading to the Louvre to see highlights like the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory—arrive early to avoid crowds and allow time for the Tuileries Garden stroll afterward. From there, cross the Seine to visit the Musée d'Orsay's Impressionist masterpieces, enjoying views of the river from its clock-faced galleries that contrast nicely with the coastal calm you experienced in Étretat.
After a leisurely lunch of salade niçoise or a tartine in Saint-Germain, walk or take the Métro to Île de la Cité to visit Notre-Dame’s exterior and the nearby Sainte-Chapelle with its dazzling stained glass; then continue to the Île Saint-Louis for a Berthillon ice cream and a peaceful riverside pause. In the late afternoon, ascend the Eiffel Tower or take a rooftop at the Arc de Triomphe (Champs-Élysées) for wide city panoramas that punctuate your journey from Normandy cliffs to Parisian heights.
For your final evening, board an early-evening Seine dinner cruise to combine classic French cuisine with illuminated views of Paris’s landmarks—Pont Neuf, Musée d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night—or opt for a bistro dinner in the Latin Quarter followed by a twilight stroll along the riverbanks. End the night with a digestif at a cozy wine bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, reflecting on the transition from the wild coastline to the cultured lights of Paris.