Just 2h30 from Paris by car, Yport is the ideal destination for a rejuvenating weekend. Far from the hustle and bustle, this small fishing village nestles on the Côte d’Albâtre, between Fécamp and Étretat. Spotlight on this destination, a rare blend of wild nature and authentic charm.
Immense white cliffs, sea and sky… a blazing natural panorama
Yport is a veritable natural jewel, bordered by spectacular 70-metre-high white chalk cliffs stretching along almost 6 km of coastline. At low tide, its beautiful pebble beach sometimes reveals gentler stretches, making it ideal for shore fishing. The GR21 path winds along the edge of the cliffs, offering hikers breathtaking views of the English Channel. All the more so at sunset…
History and heritage: when the sea forges a village
But what is the history of this fishing village with its limestone cliffs and blue-striped white beach huts? What are the origins of Yport, now ranked as one of the world’s leading seaside resorts? Although the village took shape in the Middle Ages, it was not until 1843 that Yport officially became a commune, having previously been part of Criquebeuf-en-Caux. The Saint-Martin church, built between 1838 and 1876, is a powerful symbol of this. Its nave, stained glass windows and model ships are a reminder that local culture has always been closely linked to the sea…
The bucolic charm of a town that lives to the rhythm of the tides
A stroll through the heart of Yport reveals brick and flint fishermen’s cottages with colorful facades, nestled in narrow streets. Charming cottages stand side by side with middle-class villas, witnesses to a time when painters and writers came here to seek inspiration. Guy de Maupassant, André Gide, Claude Monet and many others fell under the spell of its wild landscapes, and were dazzled by its exceptional light.
On the seafront, you can see traditional capstans and barques, giving walkers the impression of strolling through a postcard. Breathe in the sea spray, listen to the sound of the waves, smell the salt, watch children picking up pebbles… This gentle maritime atmosphere seduces walkers, who also flock here to discover the picturesque atmosphere of the village, with its market and pretty cafés.
Why is Yport the perfect getaway for Parisians?
Located 2h30 from Paris by car, Yport ticks all the boxes of the ideal getaway. It’s easy to get to, stress-free and a perfect change of scenery. A little iodine interlude, for a weekend or even a full day. Less popular than Étretat, its star neighbor, Yport cultivates a discreet, unspoilt charm. There are no crowds here, no stores packed with tourists… just the sound of the waves, the cry of the seagulls and houses with colorful shutters. The atmosphere is simple, authentic, almost timeless… In Yport, you take your time, walk, breathe and contemplate. It’s this rare gentleness, this luxury of slowing down, that makes it the perfect refuge for Parisians in search of pure beauty.
La Fête de la Mer, Yport’s not-to-be-missed annual festive event
And every August 15, Yport celebrates its now iconic Fête de la Mer et de la peinture. From then on, the town takes on a festive new look. On the program: concerts on the waterfront, a pro-melodic fireworks display, a sailors’ high mass, the famous blessing of the boats, painting demonstrations and even a painting auction. A waterside party to celebrate summer, with music, fresh oysters and iodized white wine… With the sweet sensation of literally plunging into an Impressionist painting.
In a nutshell:
Delightful simplicity, a setting that looks like a living painting… In Yport, everything invites you to slow down, breathe, contemplate and marvel at the beauty of nature. A picture-postcard landscape to discover this weekend.