Access to the cliffs of Etretat restricted by the town hall in the face of overtourism

Victims of their own success. The cliffs of Etretat attract nearly 1.5 million tourists each year. This popularity comes at a high price, as on April 28th, the municipality issued a decree prohibiting access to certain popular hiking spots, such as cliff paths and beaches threatened by landslides. Among these sites is the famous "Manhole" tunnel that crosses the cliff, where unwary people regularly find themselves trapped when the tide comes in. This happened on Thursday, May 1st, when two adults and a child were rescued after being caught out by the floodwaters.

By threatening offenders with a fine of 135 euros, plus reimbursement of rescue costs, the town hall hopes to preserve the coastline and also the safety of people.

Every year, several fatal falls occur in this area, whose beauty has inspired many painters. This deterrent measure is already paying the price for the town's small workforce since the new decree and the increased surveillance it requires. The town hall is therefore increasing its police patrols along the coast, alongside the gendarmes and two rural guards recently hired by the town along with other municipalities.

To moderate this annoying, even dangerous behavior, the municipalities of Etretat, La Poterie Cap d'Antifer, Tilleul, Bordeaux-Saint-Clair, Bénouville and Les Loges have joined forces to create an inter-municipal brigade of rural guards.

But the real additional cost falls primarily on the rescue services: "a fire brigade intervention must cost around 900 to 1,000 euros, and a helicopter intervention costs around 2,500 to 3,000 euros per hour," according to Bernard Le Damany, the city's first deputy mayor. To the point that rescuers are considering increasing the fees charged to offenders for rescue operations, indicated the Seine-Maritime Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS).

While the municipal decree is intended to be maintained, the municipality indicates, which nevertheless says it wants to focus on "education" to preserve the site. "Repressing is good, but the most important thing is that people become aware of the risks," reasons the Norman elected official.