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The most beautiful seaside destinations in Normandy: seaside resorts and campsites

Plage de Trouville, en Normandie
Plage de Trouville, en Normandie

Normandy offers an exceptional coastline stretching over 600 km, with charming seaside resorts and legendary beaches that have been preserved. From the majestic Alabaster Coast to the elegant resorts of the Côte Fleurie, via the historic beaches of the Côte de Nacre, every stretch of the Normandy coastline reveals its treasures to holidaymakers seeking an escape.

Where to go by the sea in Normandy?

Deauville
Deauville© Thinkstock

Prestigious resorts such as Deauville, Trouville and Étretat combine remarkable architectural heritage with lively seaside activities, while more secret gems such as Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Veules-les-Roses captivate visitors with their unspoilt charm. Normandy's beaches appeal to lovers of water sports, long walks on the boards and fishing on foot during high tides.

Must-see seaside resorts

Merville-Franceville beach, lined with dunes
Merville-Franceville beach, lined with dunes© iStock

Granville, nicknamed the "Monaco of the North", has a lively port and a fortified upper town overlooking the sea. This dynamic resort offers a unique atmosphere, with a wide range of water sports and its famous carnival.

A few kilometres away, Agon-Coutainville boasts long beaches perfect for sand yachting and elegant Belle Époque villas.

Courseulles-sur-Mer has a charming fishing port and oyster beds at low tide.

The charm of Merville-Franceville lies in its immense beach bordered by unspoilt dunes, ideal for families in search of nature. Its modern seafront comes alive in summer with sporting and cultural activities, while its spectacular sunsets attract photographers and romantics alike.

The Côte Fleurie, Normandy's tourist jewel

 Honfleur harbour
Honfleur harbour© Thinkstock

Between Honfleur and Cabourg lies the magnificent Côte Fleurie, renowned for its elegant seaside resorts nestling in unspoilt countryside.

Houlgate, nicknamed the pearl of this coastline, boasts a seafront promenade lined with Channel Island villas and a family beach perfect for water sports such as kitesurfing and paddle boarding.

A few kilometres away, Villers-sur-Mer reveals a more intimate charm with its Vaches Noires cliffs, a unique geological landmark, and its peaceful town centre where holidaymakers can savour the gentle Norman way of life. The resort offers windsurfing lessons on its vast sandy beach.

Marcel Proust Promenade in Cabourg
Marcel Proust Promenade in Cabourg© iStock

Blonville-sur-Mer and Bénerville-sur-Mer, havens of tranquillity between land and sea, offer wilder beaches ideal for water sports enthusiasts and coastal walkers.

Finally, literary enthusiasts will find the atmosphere of Marcel Proust's novels in Cabourg.

The Côte de Nacre and its treasure

The côte de nacre at low tide, near Saint-Aubin-sur-mer
The côte de nacre at low tide, near Saint-Aubin-sur-mer© iStock

Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer shines like a jewel on the Côte de Nacre, with its seafront promenade lined with the legendary white cabins. This authentic seaside resort boasts a fine sandy beach, ideal for water sports such as sand yachting and kitesurfing.

A stone's throw away, Langrune-sur-Mer reveals its limestone cliffs and preserved architectural heritage. Its wild beach attracts keen anglers and lovers of spectacular scenery, especially at sunset.

The English Channel and the wild Cotentin coast

Between cliffs, dunes and marshes, the west coast of La Manche attracts holidaymakers in search of unspoilt nature.

At Barneville-Carteret, lovers of sailing and wide open spaces will be delighted by a long sandy beach bordered by a lively marina.

Further north, the L'Anse du Brick campsite***** offers exceptional views over the English Channel and the Cotentin peninsula. Here, hiking along the customs path and fishing at low tide are the order of the day.

A holiday between history and the sea

Normandy's coastline has a rich history, from ancient fishing ports to the D-Day landing beaches.

The Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, between heritage and beaches

The Bay of Mont Saint-Michel at low tide
The Bay of Mont Saint-Michel at low tide© iStock

The bay, a listed natural site, reveals its changing landscapes to the rhythm of Europe's highest tides. It's an exceptional campground for hiking, fishing and discovering ecosystems.

At Gouville-sur-Mer, the colourful oyster huts are a reminder of the region's maritime and shellfish-farming roots. Le Joncal campsite**** welcomes you to a green setting, ideal for exploring this unspoilt coastline.

Discover all our campsites around Mont Saint-Michel

The D-Day landing beaches in Calvados

Beach access from Omaha Beach campsite
Beach access from Omaha Beach campsite© OMAHA-BEACH

From Ouistreham to Bernières-sur-Mer or Lion-sur-Mer, the D-Day beaches combine emotion, heritage and water sports.

At Sword Beach, the wide foreshore is now home to sand yachts and kitesurfers, but the crucial role played by this beach on 6 June 1944 has not been forgotten.

Bernières still has the Canadian house, one of the first buildings to be liberated, which can still be seen on the seafront.

Several campsites, including Port'land***** and La Côte de Nacre*****, are within easy reach of these sites steeped in history.

Discover all the campsites near the D-Day landing beaches

Maritime and coastal heritage in Seine-Maritime and Côte d'Albâtre

Dieppe Harbor
Dieppe Harbor© iStock

Further north, Dieppe, a former cod-fishing port, perpetuates its maritime tradition through its castle-museum and international kite-flying festival.

In Fécamp, the Musée des Pêcheries recounts the life of the terre-neuvas, while the Palais Bénédictine is a reminder of local industrial know-how.

Saint-Valery-en-Caux completes the escapade with its picturesque port and limestone cliffs, typical of the Côte d'Albâtre. The Seasonova Etennemare*** campsite, nestling on the edge of the cliffs, offers a breathtaking view of the English Channel.

Le Tréport promises unforgettable moments between its majestic cliffs and its century-old funicular railway. The Les Boucaniers*** municipal campsite is just a stone's throw from the historic centre.

Water sports and seaside activities

The pleasure of sand yachting at low tide on a Normandy beach
The pleasure of sand yachting at low tide on a Normandy beach© iStock

The Normandy coast comes alive with the water sports for which it is famous. At Courseulles-sur-Mer, the sailing school trains future sailors, while the more adventurous try their hand at kitesurfing on the waves of the English Channel.

Thrill-seekers will be delighted at Agon-Coutainville, where sand yachting is available at low tide. For a more contemplative approach, paddleboarding lets you explore the wild coves of the Côte d'Albâtre.

The Normandy region offers plenty of opportunities to try your hand at water sports. From sailing courses to kayaking and sand yachting sessions, everyone can discover the pleasures of the sea and the waves in an unspoilt natural setting. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced sailor, the local facilities offer activities to suit all ages and abilities, so you can make the most of the Normandy coastline.

Renting a mobile home at a seaside campsite in Normandy

A Normandy campsite by the sea
A Normandy campsite by the sea© PORTLAND (Port-en-Bessin-Huppain - 14)

Are you looking to rent a mobile home by the sea in Normandy? With 191 campsites located less than 5 km from the coast, the region offers plenty of opportunities to stay close to the beach. Some even offer direct access to the beach, perfect for enjoying the coastline without taking the car. Most are medium-sized (less than 300 pitches), perfect for a holiday with family or friends.

 

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Campsites in Normandy
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