Discover the charming seaside village of Barfleur in Normandy (Cotentin Peninsula) and its neighboring lighthouse of Gatteville. I recommend you visit the area to appreciate the quiet nature and changing colors. Below is my guide to plan your visit.
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Why visit the village of Barfleur in Normandy?
Barfleur is one of those charming little seaside villages where things seem to be still.
Labeled as one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" (most beautiful villages in France), the area offers:
- A little fishing port central to the villages - during the Middle Ages it was an important harbor
- The unique architecture of the church
- The quaint streets with stone houses
- The tall Gatteville lighthouse and rocky coastline around it
In the picture below you can see the harbor entrance, the church and the lighthouse in the back:
Below is a short video to give you an idea of what visiting the area can look like:
Planning Tips - Barfleur, Normandy
How to get to Barfleur
- Located in the Manche Department of the Normandy region
- East coast of the Cotentin Peninsula
- Closest large town is Cherbourg
- Cherbourg to Barfleur = 30 min drive
- Caen to Barfleur = 1h30 drive
- Below is a map to help you locate the village:
Barfleur and Gatteville are included in my eBook to help you easily plan your road trip around Normandy:
Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!
Plan your perfect trip around Normandy with:
- 8 easy-to-plan Maps
- 160+ pre-selected scenic locations
- Planning tips to make the most of your time
- 315+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
Visit Tips
- I recommend visiting at low tide and high tide as the views will change dramatically
- Wear comfortable shoes to explore the beaches around the lighthouse, they are rocky
- Note that you are on the seafront, and the smells at low tide may be an inconvenience for some
- The area is famous for its mussels - you can enjoy them in most restaurants
Accommodations
- You can find a few accommodations in Barfleur and around - you can even stay in old fishermen houses - See the options on Booking or Check out the options on Airbnb
- You can also find more accommodations in nearby Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue which is the gateway to Tatihou island, a Unesco site - check out the best rated accommodations in Saint-Vaast - or have a look on Airbnb
- If you are looking for a bigger city to stay in, then head to Cherbourg - check out the best rated accommodations in Cherbourg
Views of the village
I think the best part of Barfleur is admiring the church and surrounding houses from across the harbor.
The contrast with the water and the line of rooftops is charming.
Check out this view:
And here is one from another angle from the inside end of the harbor:
Views will change quite dramatically between low tide and high tide....
This is why it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy.
Saint Nicolas Church
The most famous building in the village is the church.
France has a lot of old churches. But I must admit that I was surprised by this one. It has a very unique architecture.
Its name is Saint-Nicolas. The current church was built between the 17th and 19th centuries (It has been destroyed twice already).
It is located at the end of the village by the sea with the cemetery.
As you can see in the picture above, it has a variety of rooftop shapes: classic triangular, square tower, dome, angular... There is no boring angle to look at it.
But what I find the most surprising is the square tower. Because of it, the church looks like a tiny castle.
Don't forget to have a look inside, there is a coin box to turn on the lights.
The stained-glass windows are from the end of the 19th century.
Other things to do in Barfleur
The quaint streets of the village
Take time to explore the village. it is not big and won't take long.
Here you won't find the half-timbered houses that make Normandy famous. This is a more typical seaside old village with sturdy yet picturesque granite houses.
Just go for a walk without any aim. Take side streets and you will find little gems.
For example, next to the church is 'La coche des amoureux" (the lover's tiny path) which is a narrow street connecting to the next bay.
Coche des amoureux
The harbor of Barfleur
Barfleur used to be the most important port of Normandy as it was used by the dukes of Normandy and Kings of England to travel through the Channel.
However this once vibrant town was destroyed by Edward III in the 14th century. After that it stayed a smaller village.
It was also a strategic location during WWII: Occupied by the Germans and then used to bring supplies by the Americans.
Today it is mostly a leisure and fishing port. You can walk around and see the fishermen bring back the catch of the day.
Barfleur harbor
Mussels of Barfleur
The village is also famous for its production of mussels called the "Blonde of Barfleur". What makes them special?
- They are very tasty
- They have a lot of flesh compared to breeding mussels
- They grow in a natural environment and are fished
The season is from June to the end of October. They are normally served with cider or cream
Note that this is a wild species. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that the restaurants will be serving them.
However, they will always be serving mussels (breeding ones if the others are not available) cooked in the Norman way. Always delicious!
Mussels in Barfleur
Gatteville lighthouse
Don't visit Barfleur, without heading to the Gatteville lighthouse.
It is only a 5min drive or a short trip on a bike.
You will arrive via the tiny village of Gatteville-le-Phare with another interesting church to look at:
And then you discover the coast of the Barfleur headland and its lighthouse.
The area is so flat that it really stands out. I found it really nice to photograph, especially with the rocks around.
A few facts about the lighthouse:
- It is active
- 71-metre high (233ft) - one of the tallest traditional lighthouses in the world
- It is cylindrical with a U-shape keeper building at the base
- The first lighthouse (25m high) was built in the 18th century after many shipwrecks in the area
- In normal times, it is open to visitors to climb the 365 stairs to the top.
Other things to do around Barfleur
The Cotentin peninsula is one of the most beautiful destinations in Normandy if you are spending some time in the area, I also recommend:
- A short drive South from Barfleur and you find the village of Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue to be visited at low tide to see the impressive Oyster farms - 15 min drive
- The Tatihou Island with bird watching and the Unesco-listed fortifications from Vauban and remains from WWI - boat from Saint-Vaast (10min crossing)
- The D-day and WWII sites around Utah beach - just South of Barfleur and Saint Vaast (40min drive)
- Cherbourg and the impressive Maritime museum "Cité de la Mer" (30min drive)
- The West coast of the Peninsula with beautiful cliffs and sand dunes - for example the cliffs of Nez de Jobourg (1h drive)
- The famous Mont-Saint-Michel which is further away and not on the peninsula but one of the most famous French landmarks (2h drive)
Saint Vaast La Hougue Oyster farms
Tatihou Island
Utah Beach
Nez de Jobourg
You can find all these amazing locations and more in my eBook to help you plan your Normandy itinerary:
Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!
Plan your perfect trip around Normandy with:
- 8 easy-to-plan Maps
- 160+ pre-selected scenic locations
- Planning tips to make the most of your time
- 315+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
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