Golf d'Etretat
Few courses in France enjoy a setting like Etretat, laid out in 1908 along the famous white cliffs of the Normandy coast above the town that inspired Monet and Maupassant. A par 72 of about 6,580 yards, it runs across the clifftop turf with the English Channel falling away below, a clifftop round that rewards a steady nerve and a good eye for the wind.
Photo: Club de golf d'Étretat via Google.
The verdict
Golf d'Etretat dates to 1908 and sits on the clifftop above one of the most painted stretches of coast in France, the white needles and arches that drew Monet and Maupassant to the little Normandy town below. The early routing is credited to Arnaud Massy, the French Open champion of that era, and the course has kept its clifftop character ever since.
It is not the longest test in France at about 6,580 yards, and it does not need to be. The drama is in the setting and the wind, the holes that run toward the cliff edge with the Channel below, the firm seaside turf and the open exposure that can turn a calm card into a battle. For a golfer touring Normandy, it is an essential and very affordable round with a view that few courses anywhere can match.
Golf d'Etretat at a glance
- Opened
- 1908
- Designer
- Arnaud Massy origins
- Type
- Clifftop coastal
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,580 yds
- Green fee
- From about 56 euros
Opening era, design origin, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Golf d'Etretat and leading course databases. The course dates to 1908, with its origins credited to the French Open champion Arnaud Massy, a par 72 of about 6,580 yards (6,014 metres). Indicative green fees have run from around 56 euros in low season to 77 euros in high season; rates change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Etretat plays across the clifftop plateau, the fairways framed by gorse and the ground running firm in the seaside air. It is the exposure that defines the round, with several holes turning toward the cliff edge and the wind off the Channel deciding how a hole should be played from one day to the next.
The stretch along the cliff is the reason golfers come. The land falls away to the famous arches and the needle of rock below, and the temptation to admire the view has cost many a good card. Position and trajectory matter more than power here, and the player who keeps the ball under the wind is rewarded.
Inland, the course settles into a fairer rhythm before the closing holes bring the coast back into view. It is a round to savour rather than conquer, and on a clear Normandy afternoon there are few more memorable places to play.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visitors; book a tee time in advance, especially in the summer high season |
| Green fee | Indicative from around 56 euros in low season to 77 euros in high season (indicative, 2026); always confirm current rates |
| Booking | Reserve through the golf club or a France golf specialist; calmer weather mornings are best for the clifftop holes |
| On the day | Walking the clifftop turf is part of the appeal; buggies may be available; bring layers for the coastal wind |
| Getting there | Above the town of Etretat on the Seine-Maritime coast, about 30 minutes from Le Havre |
| Best months | May to October for the warmest, calmest conditions on the exposed clifftop |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates and tee sheet policy change, so always confirm directly with the golf club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The town of Etretat sits just below the course and makes a charming base, with small hotels and seafood restaurants beneath the cliffs that draw visitors year round. Staying in town lets you walk the cliff paths in the evening and reach the first tee in minutes.
For a wider Normandy golf trip, the resort town of Deauville and the port of Le Havre are both within easy reach, putting several more courses and the wider attractions of the alabaster coast within a short drive. It is an ideal region to pair clifftop golf with the history and cuisine of northern France.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Golf d'Etretat.
Build a Normandy golf trip
We book Etretat around the rest of the Normandy coast, pair the clifftop golf with the region's hotels and cuisine and sort the transfers. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Golf d'Etretat questions
When did Golf d'Etretat open and who designed it?
Golf d'Etretat dates to 1908, with its origins credited to the French Open champion Arnaud Massy, set on the clifftop above the town of Etretat in Normandy.
What is the par and length of Golf d'Etretat?
Golf d'Etretat is a par 72 of about 6,580 yards, roughly 6,014 metres, played across firm clifftop turf above the alabaster coast.
Can visitors play Golf d'Etretat?
Yes. Golf d'Etretat welcomes visitors, who should book a tee time in advance, particularly in the busy summer season.
What makes Golf d'Etretat special?
Its setting. The course runs along the famous white cliffs of Etretat with the English Channel below, one of the most dramatic coastal locations in French golf.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Design origin, opening era, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.