Without going through Deauville-Trouville, Normandy, from Honfleur to Port en Bessin, has superb beaches for enjoying sea views and sunbathing.
Natural and majestic, secret and charming, family-friendly and easy… Our top 5 along the coast of the Côte Fleurie and the Côte de Nacre.
To discover
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Graves beach in Villerville, charming
Villerville's sandy beach stretches for several kilometers towards Honfleur and is only accessible at low tide.
Marine Guillard
The important thing is not the destination, but the trip itself wrote Stevenson… Park at the top of the charming village of Villerville.
Descend to the sea by taking a detour to the cult Cabaret Normand, where many scenes of A
Monkey in Winter
were filmed in 1962, with Gabin and Belmondo.
Then ask for Parc des Graves.
At the exit of the village, this piece of greenery descends towards the Graves beach.
An expanse of natural sand with its cliffs of the Roches Noires over 50 meters high.
The beach is accessible only at low tide, which contributes to its charm.
You can also discover it by the path that runs at the top of the Roches Noires, a protected natural site.
Our recommendation:
almost feet in the water, is the "Cabane Bleue" which serves drinks, platters and salads to be enjoyed on the beach or on one of the picnic tables in the Parc des Graves, Seaview.
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Villers-sur-Mer beach, testimony to other eras
The seaside resort also bears witness to the Belle Époque with its villas along the beach.
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With its air of a seaside resort from the last century, its bathing cabins on sunny days and its promenade, the beach of Villers-sur-Mer has some character... Even more so when you know that it is the first point in France to be crossed by the meridian of Greenwich.
If the beach is simply beautiful for sunbathing or sea, it is also known to lovers of paleontology.
At the end of the beach, at the foot of the Falaises des Vaches Noires, 100 meters high, many fossils can be seen by the most attentive.
Our recommendation:
as a family, we take a trip to the Paléospace Odyssée, a museum that brings us back to the Jurassic period, when Normandy was still covered by the sea. An educational and fun stopover to understand the history of the fossils discovered on the beach.
Paléospace Odyssée, 5 avenue Jean Moulin, 14640 Villers-sur-Mer.
Such.
: 02 31 81 77 60.
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Ouistreham Riva-Bella beach, sporty
In the heart of Normandy, Ouistreham Riva-Bella is also an ideal starting point for exploring the landing beaches.
Loic Durand / Calvados Attractiveness
A stretch of fine sand as far as the eye can see, there is room for everyone on Riva-Bella beach.
Kayaking, paddleboarding, sand yachting, water sports have pride of place here without ever disturbing swimmers.
We come to take a bowl of sea, feel the sun, the wind and the spray... And swim on the beach which in 2014 hosted the 70th anniversary ceremony of D Day with Barack Obama, Vladimir Poutine, Angela Merkel...
Our recommendation:
on this immense expanse, try your hand at sand yachting to travel the length and breadth of the beach and get your fill of thrills.
Sessions of 1h30 in groups or in private lessons at the Ouistreham Riva-Bella sand yachting school.
Read alsoLanding beaches in Normandy: our travel guide
Cabourg beach, romantic Belle Epoque
4 km long, the fine sandy beach of Cabourg is the ideal place to enjoy the benefits of the seaside. Arnaud Guerin / Calvados Attractiveness
Next to Ouistreham beach, Cabourg beach also displays its expanse of white sand.
More urban, Belle Epoque version, it is embellished with a walk.
Facing the sea, the Anglo-Norman villas alone are worth the walk.
The best time: at sunset when the beach empties and nature takes over.
The perfect time to go horseback riding, hooves in the water.
Guaranteed feeling of freedom and a glass of champagne as a bonus for lovers with the Cabourg Le Home pony club.
Our recommendation:
in April 2021, the museum “La Villa du Temps regained” opened its doors in Cabourg.
Before a swim in the sea, we make a detour there to discover, guided by Marcel Proust himself, the Belle Époque and its seaside architecture through the house but also passing works of art.
The Villa of Time Regained, 15 avenue du President Raymond Poincaré, 14390 Cabourg.
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Luc-sur-Mer beach, family
Luc-sur-Mer is located 15 km north of Caen on the Côte de Nacre.
Fabien Mahaut / Calvados Attractiveness
The mother-of-pearl coast, north of Caen, is home to beautiful family beaches such as Luc-sur-Mer.
We love its fine sand, its Place du Petit Enfer.
Completely renovated (
mid-April)
, it now almost blends in with the beach thanks to its sandy hue.
After a family bath, we come to stroll there and, as is customary, taste the "gui-gui", a hand-stretched sugar lollipop, an artisanal specialty.
To be tasted and finished with sticky fingers and a smile on sweet lips, on the town pontoon, admiring the mother-of-pearl coast.
Our recommendation:
from May to November, learn about responsible shore fishing on the beach with a local fisherman.
Buckets and landing nets are provided for fishing shrimps, greys, chubs, crabs or mussels.
Many will return to the water to grow again, but the memory of a nice moment of discovery remains.
Registration at the tourist office:
Terres de nacre
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