Where to stay? The best campsites in Calvados
Les Haras de Deauville Campsite: an ideal base for exploring Calvados
Located in Touques, just 3 km from the beaches and right next to Deauville, the four-star Les Haras de Deauville campsite is an excellent base for exploring Calvados. This family-run campsite offers fully equipped mobile homes as well as a water park featuring a heated indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, water slides and a paddling pool for children. Its prime location on the Côte Fleurie makes it easy to reach Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, Honfleur and the famous D-Day beaches. Open from April to September.
Camping des Bords de l’Aure in Bayeux: the perfect base for visiting the D-Day beaches
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre of Bayeux, the Bords de l’Aure *** campsite offers a lush, shaded setting perfect for relaxation. Situated on the banks of the River Aure, it provides easy access to the famous Bayeux Tapestry, the town’s medieval streets and the main D-Day sites. Holidaymakers also enjoy free access to the nearby water park, spacious pitches and comfortable mobile homes. Its strategic location makes it an excellent base for exploring Calvados and the rich history of Normandy. Open from April to November.
Les Chevaliers Campsite in Houlgate: an ideal holiday combining beaches and exploring Calvados
The four-star Les Chevaliers campsite enjoys a prime location in Houlgate, just a few minutes from the beaches of the Côte Fleurie and close to Cabourg, Deauville and Honfleur. This family-friendly campsite offers comfortable mobile homes as well as a large water park featuring a heated indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, multi-lane slides and a spectacular Spacebowl for thrill-seekers. Its peaceful setting and central location make it an excellent base for exploring the seaside resorts of Calvados, the Vaches Noires cliffs and Normandy’s must-see attractions. The campsite is open from early April to mid-September.
Riva Bella Campsite in Ouistreham: a prime location for exploring Calvados
Open from April to September, the Riva Bella **** campsite enjoys an exceptional location in Ouistreham, just a few hundred metres from the beach and right next to the harbour. This campsite offers modern mobile homes, a heated indoor swimming pool and a wide range of leisure facilities for the whole family. Its location is particularly popular for exploring the D-Day beaches, the city of Caen, the Memorial and the seaside resorts of the Côte de Nacre. With its seaside setting, historical heritage and outdoor activities, Riva Bella Campsite is an excellent base for discovering the must-see attractions of Calvados and Normandy.
Follow this link to discover all the campsites in Calvados.
Explore the must-see attractions of Calvados
In the footsteps of the D-Day landings: a journey into the heart of history
You simply cannot explore Calvados without spending a day visiting the key sites of the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944. As living testimonies to the history of the Second World War, the beaches and memorial sites along the Normandy coast offer a deeper understanding of the events that marked the liberation of Europe.
The tour can begin in Ouistreham, where the Atlantic Wall Museum traces the German occupation and the organisation of the coastal defences. Continuing westwards, stop off at Ver-sur-Mer to visit the America Gold Beach Museum, which highlights the role of British troops during the D-Day operations.
In Arromanches-les-Bains, the remains of the famous Mulberry artificial harbour, still visible out at sea, stand as one of the most impressive testaments to this logistical feat. The D-Day Museum perfectly rounds off the visit by explaining the construction and operation of this exceptional structure.
The tour continues in Bayeux, the first town in France to be liberated, where the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum recounts the fighting that followed D-Day. Further south, the Caen Memorial offers a more comprehensive view of the conflict and remains one of Europe’s most important museums dedicated to the Second World War.
As you head towards the Omaha Beach area, several iconic sites are well worth a visit. In Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, the Omaha Beach Memorial Museum houses numerous collections dedicated to military operations and the lives of the soldiers. Nearby, the majestic American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking the beach, pays tribute to the thousands of American soldiers who fell during the battle. Not far from there, the spectacular Pointe du Hoc offers a glimpse of the cliffs scaled by American Rangers under enemy fire.
Finally, to round off this historical immersion, the Utah Beach Landing Museum, situated in the neighbouring department of La Manche, provides a detailed account of the operations carried out on this strategic beach and is one of the most memorable stops on the Normandy memorial trail.
This tour, taking in beaches, museums and memorial sites, allows visitors to grasp the full scale of Operation Overlord whilst discovering some of Normandy’s most iconic sites.
The Côte Fleurie: seaside elegance and Norman charm
Stretching from the Seine estuary to the edge of the Pays d’Auge, the Côte Fleurie is one of Calvados’s most popular destinations. Its history is closely linked to the rise of seaside bathing in the 19th century, when the Parisian aristocracy and bourgeoisie discovered the benefits of seaside holidays. Numerous seaside resorts sprang up at that time, featuring elegant villas, casinos, grand hotels and long seafront promenades that still make them famous today.
At the north-eastern tip of the coast, Honfleur charms visitors with its authentic charm, its famous Vieux Bassin and its rich maritime heritage. This port town alone is well worth a thorough visit, which is why it will be the subject of a dedicated chapter.
Continuing south-west, Deauville epitomises Norman elegance. Renowned for its famous ‘Planches’ promenade, its casino, its racecourse and its American film festival, the resort has been attracting artists, celebrities and connoisseurs of the good life for over a century. Just across the River Touques, Trouville-sur-Mer offers a more authentic, family-friendly atmosphere, with its bustling fishing harbour, Belle Époque villas and vast beach of fine sand.
The exploration of the Côte Fleurie continues in Villers-sur-Mer, a seaside resort prized for its unspoilt natural surroundings, its long beach and its proximity to the impressive Vaches Noires cliffs, a remarkable site for lovers of geology and hiking.
Further east, Houlgate boasts an exceptional architectural heritage, with its many Belle Époque villas bearing witness to the golden age of Normandy’s seaside resorts. Its seafront and friendly atmosphere make it an ideal destination for a family stroll.
Finally, Cabourg is one of the jewels of the Côte Fleurie. Immortalised by the writer Marcel Proust, the seaside resort is famous for its beach, its Grand Hôtel and its Marcel-Proust Promenade— , one of the longest in Europe. Its refined atmosphere and well-preserved heritage make it an unmissable stop on any trip to Calvados.
Honfleur: a jewel of Normandy’s heritage
Nestled at the mouth of the Seine, Honfleur is one of Normandy’s most iconic towns. Renowned for its picturesque charm, its cobbled streets and its famous Vieux Bassin, lined with tall, narrow houses, it attracts numerous visitors every year who come to discover its rich historical and artistic heritage.
Among the must-see monuments is the Church of Sainte-Catherine, remarkable for its entirely timber-framed architecture. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries by master shipwrights, it is now considered the largest timber-framed church in France and stands as one of the town’s symbols. Not far from there, the Church of Saint-Léonard, rebuilt after the Wars of Religion, is also well worth a visit for its elegant façade and distinctive bell tower, which blends Gothic and Renaissance influences.
Honfleur also has close ties to the art world. The Eugène-Boudin Museum, dedicated to the famous painter who was born in the town, houses a rich collection of paintings, drawings and works by Norman artists. Regarded as one of the forerunners of Impressionism, Eugène Boudin played a major role in bringing the unique landscapes and light of the Seine estuary to the world’s attention.
Just a few kilometres from the town centre stands the majestic Pont de Normandie, a true architectural feat inaugurated in 1995. With its elegant silhouette suspended above the estuary, it links Calvados with Seine-Maritime and offers spectacular panoramic views of the river and the Normandy coast.
With its religious heritage, artistic legacy, harbour atmosphere and remarkable landscapes, Honfleur is an unmissable stop for anyone wishing to discover the authenticity and charm of Calvados.
Bayeux: from medieval heritage to the legacy of the Second World War
The first town in France to be liberated following the D-Day landings in June 1944, Bayeux is a must-visit destination in Calvados. Renowned for its rich historical heritage, it appeals equally to enthusiasts of medieval history and visitors wishing to gain a better understanding of the events of the Second World War.
The town is world-famous for the Bayeux Tapestry, an exceptional 11th-century work measuring nearly 70 metres in length. A veritable medieval comic strip, it recounts the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. Housed in a museum entirely dedicated to it, it is one of the most precious records of the Middle Ages. Its historical and documentary significance has been recognised by its inclusion on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, which honours the most remarkable documents of world heritage.
Towering over the heart of the town, the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Bayeux is another unmissable landmark. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, it harmoniously blends Romanesque and Gothic styles. Its impressive dimensions, stained-glass windows and sculpted decorations bear witness to Bayeux’s religious and political importance over the centuries.
More recent history also plays a significant role in the town. The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum traces the military operations carried out following the D-Day landings and offers a deeper understanding of the fighting that led to the region’s liberation. Nearby, the British Military Cemetery in Bayeux – the largest in France dedicated to Commonwealth soldiers – pays tribute to the thousands of servicemen who fell during the Battle of Normandy. This place of remembrance is a particularly moving stop on the Normandy memorial trail.
With its medieval treasures, remarkable monuments and places of remembrance, Bayeux offers a fascinating immersion in over a thousand years of history and is one of the must-see attractions during a stay in Calvados.
Caen, the historic capital of Calvados
Founded and developed by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, Caen is now one of the main gateways to exploring Calvados. Shaped by a rich medieval past and the events of the Second World War, this Norman city boasts an exceptional heritage that is well worth a day’s visit.
At the heart of the city stands the imposing Caen Castle, one of the largest fortified complexes in Europe. Built by William the Conqueror around 1060, it still dominates the historic centre today. Its ramparts offer beautiful views over the city and now house several cultural venues, including the Musée de Normandie, dedicated to the region’s history and traditions, as well as the Caen Museum of Fine Arts, renowned for the richness of its collections.
Just a short walk from the castle, Saint-Pierre Church is one of Caen’s most iconic monuments. Its elegant Gothic architecture, slender bell tower and location in the heart of the old town make it an unmissable landmark on a stroll through the city. Not far from there, the Hôtel d’Escoville, a remarkable Renaissance mansion built in the 16th century, bears witness to Caen’s commercial prosperity during that period and ranks among the finest civil buildings in Normandy.
The legacy of William the Conqueror is also evident in the two great abbeys for which the city is renowned. The Abbaye aux Hommes, founded in 1063, impresses with its abbey church and now houses Caen Town Hall. It is also home to the tomb of William the Conqueror. On the other side of the city centre, the Abbaye aux Dames, founded at the same time by his wife Matilda of Flanders, charms visitors with its elegant Romanesque architecture and peaceful gardens.
Finally, no visit to Caen would be complete without a visit to the Caen Memorial, one of Europe’s most important museums dedicated to the Second World War, the D-Day landings and peace. Through its immersive and educational exhibitions, it helps visitors to better understand the major conflicts of the 20th century and the key role played by Normandy in the liberation of Europe.
With its medieval fortress, founding abbeys, remarkable monuments and places of remembrance, Caen offers a distillation of Norman history and is an unmissable stop on any tour of Calvados.image
Deauville, the elegance of the Côte Fleurie
A symbol of Normandy’s seaside sophistication, Deauville is one of the most prestigious resorts on the Côte Fleurie. Founded in the 19th century at the instigation of the Duke of Morny, it quickly became a favoured holiday destination for the aristocracy and later for celebrities from around the world.
The town is renowned above all for its vast beach of fine sand, bordered by the famous Planches de Deauville. This iconic promenade, running along the seafront with its beach huts named after film stars, is one of the resort’s best-known landmarks.
Deauville also enjoys a high profile thanks to its prestigious American Film Festival, established in 1975. Every year, this event attracts actors, directors and film enthusiasts, contributing to the town’s international reputation.
The journey to Deauville is also well worth the detour thanks to Trouville-Deauville railway station, a remarkable building opened in 1931. With its distinctive architecture inspired by the Norman style, it is now listed as a historic monument and is one of the finest railway stations in the region.
With its beaches, architectural elegance and cinematic atmosphere, Deauville remains an unmissable stop for discovering the art of living for which the Côte Fleurie is renowned.
The flavours of Calvados: an exceptional terroir
Beyond its historical heritage and varied landscapes, Calvados is also a region renowned for its gastronomy. Its bountiful terroir has given rise to several specialities that today make Normandy famous far beyond its borders.
Cheese lovers will discover three jewels of the region, all bearing an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation: Camembert de Normandie, recognisable by its melt-in-the-mouth texture and bloomy rind; Pont-l’Évêque, one of the oldest Norman cheeses; and Livarot, formerly nicknamed ‘the colonel’ because of the strips of reed that wrap around it.
The Calvados coastline is also renowned for its seafood, particularly scallops, fished in the Bay of the Seine and prized for their fine, delicate flesh. Another of the region’s treasures, Isigny butter and Isigny cream – both recognised for their exceptional quality – have been used in traditional Norman recipes for generations.
Finally, the apple plays a central role in the department’s culinary identity. It is the basis for Normandy cider, an iconic drink produced in the orchards of the Pays d’Auge, as well as the famous Calvados, a brandy obtained by distilling cider and aged in oak barrels. These products, intimately linked to the region’s history and landscapes, are an essential part of any culinary exploration of Calvados.
With its distinctive cheeses, seafood and apple-based specialities, Calvados offers a true immersion in Norman culinary traditions and promises wonderful discoveries for food lovers.image