# Étretat

> commune in Seine-Maritime, France

**Wikidata**: [Q290936](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q290936)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Étretat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tretat

## Summary
Étretat is a commune located in the Seine-Maritime department of France, specifically within the arrondissement of Havre and the canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval. It serves as a territorial subdivision of the French Republic and is home to the Etretat Gardens, which were established in 2016. The entity is also recognized by the aliases "Cliffs of Étretat" and "Cliffs of Etretat."

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune of France (a territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Seine-Maritime department, arrondissement of Havre, canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval.
- **Country**: France (inception dates include 843 via the Treaty of Verdun and 1804 for the First French Empire).
- **Coordinates**: 49.706388888889, 0.20666666666667.
- **Website**: https://www.etretat.fr/
- **Recorded Population Figures**: 1411, 1388, 1346, 1291, 1242, 1237, 1238, 1233, 1167, 1102.
- **Notable Feature**: Etretat Gardens (inception: 2016).
- **Administrative Inception**: The commune of France classification was established in 1789; the Seine-Maritime department was established on March 4, 1790.
- **National Capital (France)**: Paris.
- **National Population (France)**: 68,605,616 (2025 estimate).
- **National Area (France)**: 643,801 square kilometres.
- **Government Type (France)**: Semi-presidential system, unitary state, republic.
- **Head of State (France)**: Emmanuel Macron.
- **Head of Government (France)**: Sébastien Lecornu.
- **Official Language (France)**: French.
- **Currency (France)**: Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France; CFP Franc in overseas territories.
- **National Motto (France)**: "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity).
- **National Anthem (France)**: "La Marseillaise".
- **National Flag (France)**: Tricolore (blue, white, red).
- **GDP (France)**: $2.78 trillion USD (2022).
- **Budget (France)**: €455.2 billion (2023).
- **VAT Rates (France)**: 20% (standard), 10% (reduced), 5.5% (reduced), 2.1% (medication).
- **Life Expectancy (France)**: 82 years (2022).
- **HDI (France)**: 0.903 (2021), classified as "Very High".
- **Retirement Age (France)**: 62 years (standard), 67 years (full rate).
- **Compulsory Education (France)**: Ages 6 to 16.
- **Emergency Numbers (France)**: 112 (general), 15 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire).
- **UN Membership (France)**: Since October 24, 1945; permanent member of the Security Council.
- **EU Membership (France)**: Since March 25, 1957 (founding member).
- **NATO Membership (France)**: Since April 4, 1949.
- **Nuclear Weapons (France)**: State possesses nuclear weapons (since 1960).
- **IOC Code (France)**: FRA.
- **Vehicle Registration (France)**: F.
- **Internet TLD (France)**: .fr.
- **ISO Codes (France)**: FR (Alpha-2), FRA (Alpha-3), 250 (Numeric).
- **Calling Code (France)**: +33.
- **Time Zones (France)**: UTC+01:00 (CET), UTC+02:00 (CEST), and various others for overseas territories.
- **Driving Side (France)**: Right.
- **Electricity (France)**: 230 volts, 50 Hz; plugs: Europlug, Type E.
- **Highest Point (France)**: Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters).
- **Lowest Point (France)**: Étang de Lavalduc (-10 meters).

## FAQs
**Where is Étretat located?**
Étretat is a commune situated in the Seine-Maritime department of France. It falls within the arrondissement of Havre and the canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval, with coordinates at 49.706388888889 latitude and 0.20666666666667 longitude.

**What are the administrative divisions associated with Étretat?**
The commune is part of the arrondissement of Havre and the canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval. It is classified as a "commune of France," a type of territorial subdivision for municipalities that was established in 1789.

**What is the population of Étretat?**
Various population figures have been recorded for Étretat, including 1411, 1388, 1346, 1291, 1242, 1237, 1238, 1233, 1167, and 1102.

**What notable landmarks are in Étretat?**
The town features the Etretat Gardens, a garden established in 2016. Étretat is also known by the aliases "Cliffs of Étretat" and "Cliffs of Etretat."

**What country does Étretat belong to and what are its national characteristics?**
Étretat is part of France, a semi-presidential republic and unitary state with a population of over 68 million. France operates under the motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité," uses the Euro as currency, and has Paris as its capital.

## Why It Matters
Étretat matters as a distinct administrative and cultural entity within the Seine-Maritime department, contributing to the regional identity of Normandy. The establishment of the Etretat Gardens in 2016 highlights the commune's ongoing investment in tourism and landscape architecture. As part of the French Republic, Étretat is situated within a nation that holds significant global power as a permanent UN Security Council member and a leader in the European Union.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Status**: Classified as a commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities established in 1789.
- **Etretat Gardens**: Features a garden established in 2016.
- **Geographic Aliases**: Also known as the "Cliffs of Étretat" and "Cliffs of Etretat."
- **National Context (France)**:
    - **UN Security Council**: France is one of five permanent members with veto power.
    - **European Union**: France is a founding member and a leading political driver within the bloc.
    - **Nuclear Weapons**: France possesses a nuclear arsenal since 1960.
    - **The Economist Country of the Year**: France was awarded this in 2017.
    - **Global Reach**: France possesses overseas territories in every major ocean, granting it the second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world.
    - **Human Development**: France consistently ranks "Very High" on the Human Development Index (0.903 in 2021).
    - **Cultural Heritage**: France is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is a global center for fashion and cuisine.
    - **Interpol**: France is a founder member of the International Criminal Police Organization (since 1923).
    - **Tourism**: France is one of the world's top tourist destinations.
    - **Lagun Onari**: France was a recipient of the Lagun Onari award in 2012.

## Body

### Geography and Territory
Étretat is located at coordinates 49.706388888889, 0.20666666666667 within the Seine-Maritime department. It is administratively part of the arrondissement of Havre and the canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval. The commune is situated in France, a country that encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometres. Metropolitan France, located in Western Europe, shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. It is bordered by the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The highest point in France is Mont Blanc at 4,808.72 meters, while the lowest point is Étang de Lavalduc at -10 meters. The geographic center of France is approximately at coordinates 47°N 2°E.

Beyond Europe, France possesses numerous overseas territories, placing it on four other continents. In the Americas, it includes French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. In Africa, it includes Mayotte, Réunion, and the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean. In Oceania, it includes French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna. It also claims Adélie Land in Antarctica.

### Government and Politics
Étretat is a commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities that came into inception in 1789. It is part of the Seine-Maritime department, which was established on March 4, 1790. France itself is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The current constitution was established on October 4, 1958, founding the Fifth Republic. The executive branch consists of the President of the Republic (currently Emmanuel Macron) and the Prime Minister (currently Sébastien Lecornu). The President is elected directly and serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is appointed by the President and serves as the head of government, directing the executive body known as the Government of the French Republic.

The legislative branch is bicameral, composed of the French Parliament, which includes the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). The judiciary is headed by the Court of Cassation for civil and criminal matters, the Council of State for administrative cases, and the Constitutional Council for constitutional review. The country is divided into 18 administrative regions, including 12 in metropolitan France and 6 overseas.

### Demographics and Society
Recorded population figures for Étretat include 1411, 1388, 1346, 1291, 1242, 1237, 1238, 1233, 1167, and 1102. The broader society of France, in which Étretat is located, had an estimated population of 68,605,616 as of January 1, 2025. The society is highly urbanized, with an urban population of approximately 55.4 million in 2022 compared to a rural population of 12.5 million. The life expectancy at birth is 82 years (2022). The birth rate is 10.6 per 1,000 people, and the death rate is 9.8 per 1,000 people (2022).

The official language is French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, and Alsatian are also recognized. The age of majority is 18, and the marriageable age is 18 for all genders. Compulsory education is required for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The retirement age is set at 62 years, with a full rate available at 67 years.

### Economy and Finance
France has a mixed economy with a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD as of 2022. The government budget for 2023 was €455.2 billion. The standard VAT rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 10% and 5.5%, and a specific rate of 2.1% for medication. The median income is approximately $30,364 USD.

The currency is the Euro (€), which replaced the French franc in 1999. In overseas territories like New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna, the CFP Franc is used. The central bank is the Bank of France. Public debt stood at 117.4% of GDP as of the third quarter of 2025. Étretat maintains an official website at https://www.etretat.fr/.

### Infrastructure and Standards
France operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and observes Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00). Overseas territories observe various time zones, ranging from UTC-10:00 (French Polynesia) to UTC+12:00 (Wallis and Futuna).

The country drives on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits are set at 130 km/h on controlled-access highways (110 km/h in bad weather), 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on other roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas. The electrical grid supplies 230 volts at 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs.

The international calling code is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr. The country also utilizes specific TLDs for regions, such as .bzh for Brittany and .corsica for Corsica. The ISO codes are FR (Alpha-2), FRA (Alpha-3), and 250 (Numeric).

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag is the tricolore, featuring three vertical bands of blue, white, and red. The official motto is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity). The national anthem is "La Marseillaise." The coat of arms of the French Republic is used de facto, and the Great Seal of France is used for official state documents.

Public holidays include New Year's Day (January 1), Easter Monday, International Workers' Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25).

Locally, Étretat is home to the Etretat Gardens, a garden established in 2016. The commune is also known by the aliases "Cliffs of Étretat" and "Cliffs of Etretat."

### International Relations and History
France is a key player in international organizations. It is a founding member of the European Union (1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (1945). It is also a member of NATO (1949), the G7, the G20, the World Trade Organization, the Schengen Area, and the Council of Europe. France possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960.

Historically, the origins of the French state trace back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia. The First French Empire was proclaimed in 1804. France replaced the Kingdom of France and has undergone several regime changes, including the Vichy France regime during World War II, before establishing the Fifth Republic.

The country maintains diplomatic relations with nations worldwide, including the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Germany. It shares land borders with eight European countries and Brazil and Suriname via French Guiana, as well as a maritime border with the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
24. Quora
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)