{"id":7062890,"date":"2026-09-21T09:05:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T09:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/france-through-my-lens-etretat-fireworks\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T09:05:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T09:05:01","slug":"france-through-my-lens-etretat-fireworks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7062890","title":{"rendered":"France Through My Lens-Etretat Fireworks"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Some moments in France stay etched in my memory, and one of those was in \u00c9tretat on the eve of Bastille Day. As fireworks (les feux d\u2019artifice) burst into colour above the dramatic white cliffs of the Alabaster Coast (C\u00f4te d\u2019Alb\u00e2tre) and reflected over the English Channel, I just stood there, taking it all in as one burst after another lit up the cliffs. Sure, it was a celebration of Bastille Day, but for me, it was one of those experiences that perfectly captures why I love travelling in France. This photo holds that memory, and in this post, I\u2019ll share why it stood out and what it meant to me.<\/p>\n

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1. Etretat: Fireworks Illuminating Alabaster Cliffs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\"Etretat\"Etretat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

At 11:00 pm on July 13, I expected the pre-Bastille Day fireworks in \u00c9tretat to light up the sky; what I didn\u2019t expect was how beautifully they would illuminate the famous alabaster cliffs. The bursts of colour reflected on the water and revealed the stunning silhouette of the Falaise d\u2019Aval. The entire scene seemed to glow\u2014the cliffs, the beach, and even the crowd watching in awe.<\/p>\n

2. Theme: Sky, Cliffs, and Fireworks<\/strong><\/h2>\n

That evening, the sky was perfectly clear\u2014ideal conditions for a fireworks show over the English Channel. Each burst of colour lit up a different part of the cliffs, and for a few seconds at a time, it felt like the whole coastline was glowing.<\/p>\n

3. Why I Chose This Photo<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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I\u2019ve always loved fireworks, and seeing them as part of France\u2019s Bastille Day (F\u00eate Nationale, July 14) celebrations felt extra special. What made it even more meaningful is that my birthday happens to fall on Bastille Day! It\u2019s so meaningful to me that it became the cover image of the photo album I put together during Covid, chronicling my first 34 trips to France.<\/p>\n

Whenever I look at this photo I have fond memories of standing on the boardwalk at Etretat. I had just finished dinner at a restaurant overlooking the beach and the evening festivities were just beginning. Crowds had assembled on the beach and boardwalk and although the show only lasted about 30 minutes, it was truly magical. If you\u2019re planning to be in Normandy during Bastille Day, check out my post on: Where To See The Best Bastille Day Fireworks In Normandy.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

4. From My Normandy Trip: Etretat Fireworks Highlight<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For years I\u2019d seen photos of Etretat\u2019s cliffs and knew I had to see them. When I planned to spend a week in Normandy, I made Etretat my base to explore the region. It turned out to be the perfect choice. You can read a summary in my trip report:
Trip #31: The Ard\u00e8che, Provence, Paris and Normandy.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

During the week, I hiked to see the cliffs (Falaise d\u2019Aval and Falaise d\u2019Amont)
[Post: Two Of The Best Ways To See The Cliffs At Etretat<\/a><\/strong>] and Jardins d\u2019Etretat<\/a><\/strong>. I also took a boat ride along the coast, and made day trips to nearby villages and sites along the Cider Route. Highlights included:<\/p>\n