Étretat Cliffs
The chalk cliffs of Étretat are among the most dramatic coastal formations in Europe, with towering white arches, sea stacks, and the slender Aiguille Needle rising straight from the water. The two most photographed arches are the Falaise d'Aval to the southwest and the Falaise d'Amont to the northeast, and you can reach the tops of both with a short but steep hike along well-worn paths. From the clifftops, you get sweeping compositions that take in the arches, the Needle, and the pebble beach below all at once. Low tide opens up the beach and lets you shoot upward at the cliffs for dramatic wide-angle frames, while a telephoto compresses the Needle against the arch beautifully. Golden hour at sunrise and sunset wraps the white chalk in warm light and reduces the crowds that gather midday. Wear sturdy shoes for the clifftop trails and arrive early to claim the best spots. (Étretat, Normandy, France)
