Plage du petit-Ailly

A beach framed by cliffs

The Petit Ailly beach nestles between Varengeville sur Mer and Pourville sur Mer, on that stretch of the Côte d'Albâtre where chalk cliffs drop almost straight into the English Channel. At low tide, the sand clears out generously and offers a view that reaches all the way to Dieppe. It's this setting, more than the facilities (there are none), that keeps regulars coming back.

The sunsets here are particularly sought after, with the cliffs taking on a golden hue that transforms the whole feel of the place by day's end.

The naturist corner

The area where people undress sits on the left side of the beach, less than 500 meters from the main access point. It's not an officially naturist beach, more a spot naturally claimed by a small core of regulars who meet there time and again. Attendance stays discreet and varies depending on the day.

The crowd is mostly male, with couples and a few women on their own. Hikers on the GR21, the coastal trail that runs along the cliff, sometimes pass by this spot without necessarily stopping.

Access and parking

Access is free, at any hour, with no entry fee. A free parking lot sits about a hundred meters from the beach, which comes in handy given the lack of public transport in the area.

Dogs are tolerated on the beach, except between June 15 and August 31, a period when tourist numbers climb all along the Normandy coast.

Watch out for the cliffs

The one thing never to overlook here is the risk of rockfall. The chalk cliffs on this coast are known for their instability, and a fisherman died there in 2016, buried under a slab of rock. Better to keep your distance from the cliff face, especially after a spell of rain or frost that weakens the chalk.

This danger is well documented by those who frequent the place, and it doesn't tarnish the beach's reputation, it just needs to be factored in before picking your spot of sand for the day.