10 Best Beaches in Normandy

Arromaches-les-Bains is found on one of Normandy’s most historically significant stretches of coastline. From the shore, visitors can see the remains of Mulberry Harbor, the temporary port that served as a landing point for millions of soldiers on D-Day. The town is home to the D-Day Museum, which commemorates the landings and brings this pivotal moment back to life.

The wide stretches of sandy beach are bordered by dramatic, grassy cliffs. Spend hours walking the stunning coastline and visit the communities that inhabit these storied lands.

Delightful Trouville-sur-Mer is a fishing port turned seaside resort. The city retains the warm atmosphere of its humble origins and charms visitors with its Norman and Belle Epoque architecture. A favorite of writers and artists, Trouville was the subject of many pieces by Savignac, and his murals can be seen around town.

The city began at the quays, where you can still wander the lively fish market and greet the fishmongers. The spacious beach has activities for children and boasts the oldest boardwalk on the Normandy coast. Grab a scoop at an ice cream parlor, take a stroll on the sand or dine on the daily catch at seaside restaurants dotting the coast.

An hour north of Mont Saint-Michel sits Granville, a coastal town popular with families. Built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the coast, the town is surrounded by beaches. The most central is Plat Gousset, a beach with a natural seawater bathing pool, public showers and a boardwalk with local shops. The beaches in this area shelve slowly, meaning easy bathing for kids.

Make sure to take a walk in the Haute-Ville, a picturesque old neighbourhood where 19th-century homes line the town ramparts. Fashion lovers will want to visit the Musée Christian Dior, which celebrates the designer’s life and work in his childhood home. Step out to the museum garden for a breath-taking view of the coast.

Sometimes called the Parisian Riviera, Deauville is a glamorous retreat on Normandy’s Cote Fleurie. Popular with upper-class Parisians and easily accessible from the French capital, the city offers chic beach clubs, elegant promenades and a world-famous casino. It hosts prestigious events throughout the year like the Deauville American Movie Festival.

The pristine beach is dotted with the city’s distinctive colorful umbrellas. Stroll along the boardwalk to take in the idyllic coastline and read the name boards of movie stars who have visited Deauville over the years.

Romantic Cabourg has plenty of old-world charm and no shortage of activities. There seems to always be something happening on the beach: volleyball tournaments and sandcastle contests are regular occurrences, and local schools offer sailing and kite surfing lessons. Strolling the Marcel Proust Promenade, named for the author who spent his summers here, you’ll get panoramic views of the coast and the elegant Grand Hôtel that overlooks the beach.

Two Famille Plus certified beach clubs ensure this is a great spot to bring the kids. The clubs offer bathing lessons, provide trampolines and inflatable play structures and station lifesavers on the beach throughout the high season.

Plage de Barneville is a tranquil beach away from the resort crowds. The wide, sandy coastline stretches for several kilometers, bordered by grassy dunes and facing the island of Jersey. Warm waters and gentle waves characterize this beach, making it popular with swimmers and sea bathers.

Head to the adjacent Plage de la Potinière for seaside seafood and cocktails. Enjoy an after-dinner sunset walk along the beach, which is lined with quaint blue and white beach huts.

Still called by its Allied code name, Omaha Beach went down in history as a major D-Day landing site. Backed by dunes and limestone cliffs, this beach is largely a place to reflect and admire the beauty of the coast, although visitors are welcome to wade in the water. On the north end of the beach, there is a well-maintained camp ground that overlooks the sea.

Jutting out from the center of the beach is the striking silver Les Braves Monument, which honors the thousands of men who died here. History buffs will want to visit the solemn American Cemetery and explore the network of bunkers and trenches that run along the coast.

Ouistreham feels like it was made for long, rambling walks. Life is slow in this port town, characterized by its wide, sloping beaches and WWII history. Strolling through the town you’ll see streets with battle names and 2 museums dedicated to preserving and presenting artifacts and stories from the war. Climb to the top of the town’s lighthouse for a view down the coast of the historic Sword Beach and, if skies are clear, the silhouette of Mont Saint-Michel.

Riva Bella Beach is a swath of seashell-speckled sand where the town meets the English Channel. There seems to always be a breeze here, and walking down the boardwalk you’ll see beachgoers flying kites and windsurfing.

Siouville-Hague is a tiny seaside town with a stunning beach that is Blue Flag certified, meaning it meets strict environmental and safety standards. Popular with water sports enthusiasts, surfers flock here for consistent waves with spectacular views of the Norman coast. While the beach is narrow and somewhat rocky at high tide, low tide offers natural bathing pools and a flat beach of fine sand.

Step off the surf to visit the town markets or follow footpaths through the grassy dunes that border the beach.

Fécamp is an old port city with a rich heritage and history situated between the dramatic white cliffs of the Alabaster Coast. Head just north of the city to Cap Fagnet for a spectacular view of the city and the chalky cliffs that fade into the horizon. The town’s pebbly beach is great for romantic sunset walks, and paddling the coast in a kayak offers a unique experience of this singular place.

Take a stroll through the winding streets of the old seaport and visit the new Fisheries Museum to learn about the local history of the trade. Then, don’t miss the Bénédictine Palace, an architectural masterpiece in Gothic and Renaissance styles. The palace houses the Benedictine liqueur distillery and a collection of religious and contemporary art.