Top 10 Normandy Sea Resorts
Here are the ten most beautiful and charming resorts in which to reside or simply visit while on holiday.
1) Mont-Saint-Michel
The Mont-Saint-Michel has the world’s most famous bay. Set near Avranches, activities include water sports, tennis, horse riding, cycling, and golf at Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel. You can also enjoy picnics at Jardin des Plantes, which, with over 70,000 different types of plants and trees as well as stunning views across the bay, has been a place of inspiration for writers such as Guy de Maupassant. Cross the wonderful bay all afternoon long for a walking distance of 7-kilometres from Genets to the Mont. Note that it is always guided as there is quicksand in the bay.
2) Deauville
Deauville, lady of the French coast, one of its most glamorous seaside resorts, symbolizes elegance, prestige and sophistication. The city of the horse, gateway to Calvados, welcomes you with its amenities such as casinos, and the famous festival de Deauville, the Cannes’ younger brother. You will find a number of superb activities for a successful stay in Deauville: lodging, restaurants, activities, practical information, and a complete schedule of events throughout the year.
3) Granville
Located close to the Bay of the Mont Saint-Michel, life in Granville is governed by the highest tides in Europe. A former important fishing harbour, it is, nowadays, the main shellfish port in France and a pleasant coastal resort often called the “Monaco du Nord.” It has two beaches suitable for swimming and sunbathing, a casino, a yacht club and numerous shops, spa centre, cafes, bars, hotels, and campsites. There are numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning there is a local market with regional produce including sea food.
4) Ouistreham – Riva Bella
Located 10 minutes from Caen–at the heart of the sandy beaches–Ouistreham is a small port with fishing boats. The town is at the mouth of the Canal de Caen à la Mer and Ouistreham’s resort – Riva Bella. The proximity of Caen and the ferry terminal allows the town to remain relatively alive all year ‘round. But what‘s worth seeing in Ouistreham is its wide sandy beach without algae! Ouistreham Riva-Bella is also one of the gateways to England, with regular connections by ferry to Portsmouth. Most known meals from Ouistreham are Duo of Shrimps, Fish Brandade with a glass of Calvados, Norman Ray, caramel sauce and the famous French toast (“pain perdu”).
5) Cabourg
The small town of Cabourg is famous for its remarkable stone staircases alongside the sandy beaches. Cabourg belongs to the Paris Basin. The community is located next to the sea and the back country is a plain, favourable to the cereal culture. Population increases to some 40,000 during summer. Cabourg is under the influence of an oceanic climate, with fresh summers and very mild winters.
6) Honfleur
Honfleur is a community in the Calvados department in Normandy. Though not the sunniest area in France, Honfleur boasts a charming little harbour founded by the Vikings. The port of Honfleur is known throughout the world because many explorers left from this port to sail to America, such as Jacques Cartier, the man who discovered Canada. You can also dock below the terraces of cafés and enjoy the landscape painted by many artists.
7) Dieppe
Dieppe is a port on the English Channel, famous for its scallops. There is regular ferry service from the Gare Maritime to Newhaven in England. Dieppe also has a popular pebbled beach, a 15th-century castle, and the churches of Saint-Jacques and Saint-Remi. It is worth enjoying the panoramic of Dieppe and its sandy beaches from the Chateau de Dieppe, which survived the WWII bombardments. The chateau’s interior courtyard is picturesque, and there is a rich collection of c17 and c18 ivory carvings, including lacy folding fans, for which Dieppe is known.
8) Etretat
Etretat is located in Normandy, where the towering cliffs reign over the Alabaster Coast. The beach is composed of stones that have been smoothed by the waves of the English Channel and the town is set just beyond the beach. If you are a golf addict, you would rarely view such a superb site, overhanging the sea and bay of Etretat. Classified among the best golf courses in Europe by the famous specialist newspaper Golf Magazine, it is easily accessible by ferry since it is near Le Havre port.
9) Carteret
Carteret is a family seaside resort in the Manche department well kept from urbanization. Each year, it is granted the “European Blue Flag” for the quality of its beaches and its sailing harbour. The main sport activities–apart from water sports such as sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and boating–are fishing, hiking, cycling, horse riding, and golfing. Every Thursday morning there is a street market with fresh local produce and seafood. There are many festivals, cultural events and concerts throughout the year. Carteret is only a 40-minute drive from the ferries in Cherbourg.
10) Isigny-sur-Mer
Isigny-sur-Mer is a beautiful town with bakeries and restaurants in the Calvados department. Situated at the bottom of the bay des Vays, it used to be an important commercial and fishing port. Nowadays, it’s more popular for high quality butter, cream, cheese, and famous caramels. Its seaside location promotes all kinds of water sports and fishing. The summer in Isigny-sur-Mer is a very festive time with several exhibitions, street events, and concerts. Isigny-sur-Mer is located only 50-minutes drive from ferries in Cherbourg.