The best beaches in Normandy

• Étretat 
• Trouville-sur-Mer
• Deauville
• Cabourg
• Barneville-Carteret
• Le Havre
• Granville
• Hauteville-sur-Mer

So here isone of the most beautiful and recognisable French beaches. Framed by pebble beaches and the famous cliffs of Etretat, you could believe you were in a postcard. But beware: you are not allowed to remove pebbles from the beach, as they protect the coastline.

Here’s a tip: A walk along the beach will lead you to the 17th-century oyster beds and the legendary "trou à l'homme" (manhole), but you should always be wary of the tides. 

With the Famille Plus label, the Trouville beach is ideal for families. The 19th century Queen of Beacheshas kept its beauty thanks to charming houses along the beach.

Here’s a tip: Trouville has preserved its fishing-village essence. A trip to the traditional fish market is a real must, with 11 fishmongers selling delicious seafoodsuch as scallops, mackerel, sole and grey shrimp. Enjoy!

>> Head to Trouville by train

Deauville's renowned beach is covered with colourful parasols, running along the boardwalk with cabins named after American celebrities... It’s a world apart !

Here’s a tip: The Deauville racetracks organise many races and events centered around horses, including polo games in August on the beach.

A romantic beach that is also family-friendly, with itsFamily Plus designation, Cabourg offers workshops for children, water sports, and more...

This charming seaside resort is the perfect place to spend a family weekend, with its 4 km of soft sand, Belle-Epoque atmosphere, and villas dating back to the beginning of the 20th century.

Here’s a tip: Cabourg is a town that appeals to food lovers! Don't hesitate to dine at one of the local restaurants to taste the truly fresh seafood!

Barneville-Carteret also has the Family Plus designation. You won't be surprised to find a wide range of organised activities for families on the beach, including entertainment and water sports...

Here’s a tip: The surrounding nature is diverse, with cliffs and dunes, moors, and hedgerows. Stunning walks are ahead!

The pebble beach of Le Havre, which stretches for 2 km, is located in the city centre. From mid-April onwards, you will be able to see the famous beach huts, a local landmark.

The beach offers a variety of water sports: you can rent sea kayaks, windsurfs, skimboards, paddleboards, canoes, etc.... It’s a cool spot for fans of skateboarding: the Digue Nord skatepark is the biggest free skatepark in France, where you can also rollerblade or do BMX. There is also a playground where you can play beach volleyball, beach soccer, sandball, beach rugby, speedminton (a mix of squash and badminton), etc....

Here’s a tip: Before sunbathing on Le Havre's beach, you can make a cultural stop at the André Malraux Museum, located next to the port's entrance, less than 20 minutes’ walk from the beach.

In the centre of Granville, head for the Plat Gousset beach, situated in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, where you can rent one of the 160 beach cabins (from 15 June to 15 September), and why not try out the seawater pool?

Fancy going on an unique walk? At the end of the Plat-Gousset promenade, take the stairs leading to Dior Villa gardens. Summer home to the Dior family from 1906, it is a fine example of resort architecture: bow windows, balconies, a winter garden, iron scrolls, etc.... The pink of the façade and the grey of the gravel became the famous fashion designer's favourite colours.

Here’s a tip: Take a boat trip to the Chausey Islands, a small and beautiful archipelago unlike any other in Europe. Less than an hour from Granville, the large island of Chausey can be visited in a day...or more, if you fancy! You can also opt for a guided tour of the archipelago, or a boat trip around the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

>> Book your train tickets to Granville

Hauteville-sur-Mer is afamily seaside resort par excellence(it also has the Family Plus label), and has a vast, soft sand beach. The fishery, a giant stand-up paddleboard, concerts...There are plenty of things to do!

Here’s a tip: When the tide is out,the sea uncovers oyster beds, numerous mussel beds, and a medieval "fishery," a gigantic V-shaped fish trap located about 2 km from the beach. It’s time to fish on foot.