Étretatis acommunein theSeine-MaritimedepartmentinNormandieregionin north-westernFrance. It is a tourist and farmingtown situated about 32km (20mi) northeast ofLe Havre, at the junction of the D 940, D 11 and D 139 roads. It's located on the coast of thePays de Cauxarea. It is best known for itscliffs, including threenatural archesand the pointed "needle". These cliffs and the associated resort beach attracted artists includingEugène Boudin,Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet, and were featured prominently in the 1909Arsène LupinnovelThe Hollow NeedlebyMaurice Leblanc.
Two of the three famous arches are seen from the town, the Porte d'Aval, and the Porte d'Amont. The Manneporte is the third and the biggest one, and cannot be seen from the town.