• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT

10 best beaches in Normandy (with photos)

Last updated on June 16, 2021 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Normandy has a long coastline that has inspired many artists: cliffs, beaches, dunes... There is a little bit of everything. 
Below is my selection of the best beaches in Normandy, the most scenic or fascinating to visit. I wish you a wonderful trip to my home region!

Most beautiful beaches in Normandy Travel Pin2

Table of Contents
About the best beaches in Normandy and the coast
#1 Ecalgrain Bay
#2 Etretat beach
#3 Cabourg sand dune
#4 Saint-Pierre-en-Port Beach
#5 Vaches Noires - Villers-sur-Mer
#6 Arromanches Beach
#7 Gouville-sur-Mer beach huts
#8 - Saint-Jouin-Bruneval / Antifer beach
#9 - Ouistreham and the best sandy beaches in Normandy
#10 - Omaha and the best WWII beaches in Normandy

This article contains affiliate links (Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


About the best beaches in Normandy and the coast

About the Normandy coast

The coastline is 603km long (375mi), facing North and West.
It is extremely varied with high cliffs, lower ones, flat rocky areas from millions of years ago, sandy beaches, pebble beaches, sand dunes...

It is so varied that many sections of the coastline have different names:

  • Côte d’Albâtre (Alabaster coast) with tall chalk cliffs, 
  • Côte Fleurie (Flowered Coast) with the flowered countryside near the coast,
  • Côte de Nacre (Mother-of-Pearl coast) with the changing colors of the sea,
  • ...

Those landscapes (some of the best in the region) have inspired many artists, especially with the beautiful skies and lights enjoyed all year round.

Best Normandy beaches

Coastal towns in Normandy

Along the coast of Normandy, you can find also a variety of places to stay:

  • large towns with harbors (Le Havre, Dieppe, Fécamp...)
  • resort towns (Deauville, Cabourg, Villers-sur-Mer...)
  • small villages (Veules-les-Roses, Yport...)

The Norman coast really has something for everyone's taste.

About my selection of the best Normandy beaches

There is no other subject that gets as many comments as articles about best beaches. This is very much a matter of opinion, and people do complain that you have not listed their favorite beach :-).
So, to clarify: this list is my selection of my favorite beaches. I prefer the beaches that are very scenic and photogenic, rather than the ones where you can lay down on the sand for the day.

All the beaches listed below can be found in my travel guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Normandy road trip itinerary:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

s the road trip guide normandy eBook cover

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

LEARN MORE


#1 Ecalgrain Bay

Ecalgrain Bay

Ecalgrain Bay Beach

Location

  • Manche Department
  • West coast
  • Just North of the famous cliffs at Nez de Jobourg
  • Cherbourg to Ecalgrain Bay = 30min drive

Why I love it

  • Most of the coast around it is rocky or with cliffs, so it is quite a surprise to find this beautiful bay
  • It has the perfect combination of golden sand, rocks, green pastures and cliffs.
  • You can drive up the road for a beautiful view of the whole bay.
  • There are walking tracks around to enjoy the scenery
Ecalgrain Bay 2

Visit tips

  • To access the beach, stop at the South side where the cliffs are lower. Access is quite easy.
  • Small carpark
  • No facilities
  • Plan 15min to drive by and enjoy the views or several hours to explore the bay.
  • Not many accommodations in the area - just a few rentals - see options
  • Otherwise head to Cherbourg, the main town in the area - see the best rated accommodations there.
  • Or I recommend a stay on the East coast of the peninsula in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, as you can easily do day trips around the peninsula from there - check out the best rated accommodations in Saint-Vaast.

#2 Etretat beach

Etretat beach

Etretat Beach

Location

  • Seine-Maritime department
  • Northern part of Normandie
  • Between Le Havre and Fécamp
  • Le Havre to Etretat = 30min drive

Why I love it

  • This is one of the most fascinating places in Normandy. It is part of the Alabaster coast with the tall cliffs. But this is where the erosion has created the most beautiful structures: arches, seastacks...
  • The beach is a pebble beach accessed via the small village. 
  • There are tunnels cut in the cliffs allowing you to access other hidden beaches (but be careful and only visit at low tide)
  • Plus, you can go up the cliffs on both sides for magnificent views!
  • See more photos of Etretat in my article
Etretat beach 2

Visit tips

  • Wear good shoes: between the pebbles and the cliffs, the exploration is not easy. However, if you have difficulties walking you can simply stay in the village and already enjoy the views.
  • It is a very touristic place. During sunny weekends, it gets really crowded.
  • All the facilities in the village, including several seaside restaurants.
  • Plan at least 1 day but I recommend a stay overnight.
  • Check out all the best rated accommodations in Etretat

#3 Cabourg sand dune

Cabourg beach

Cabourg beach

Location

  • Calvados Department
  • North of Caen, on the Côte Fleurie
  • Caen to Cabourg = 30min drive

Why I love it

  • Normally, I would not pick a sandy beach to lay down. However, at the end of the Cabourg beach, there is a beautiful sand dune split that I really enjoyed.
    It felt like being in a more exotic location
  • You can walk all around the split with the sea on one side and the river mouth on the other.
  • The resort town has some stunning buildings from its glorious days - one of the best beach towns in Normandy
Cabourg sand dune spit

Cabourg Sand Dune

Visit tips

  • No large carpark, parking is on the side of streets
  • Easy to access the beach
  • All facilities in town
  • You can also drive to the other side of the Dives River's mouth, towards Houlgate, to see the end of the split dune from another perspective (photo below)
  • Check out the best rated accommodations in Cabourg
Cabourg sand dune spit from Houlgate

Dives River mouth from Houlgate side


Need to rent a car in Normandy?
My tips:

  • Compare car rental prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
  • Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

#4 Saint-Pierre-en-Port Beach

Saint Pierre en Port

Saint-Pierre-en-Port Beach

Location

  • Seine-Maritime, Alabaster Coast
  • North of Fécamp
  • Fécamp to Saint-Pierre-en-Port = 15min drive

Why I love it

  • There are many beaches accessed by narrow valleys along the Alabaster coast. This one is not famous, and I am not sure I can tell you why it is one of my favorites. I just felt it was more natural and that the cliffs were stunning.
  • I enjoyed the perspectives as I walked on the rocks
  • And I loved watching the locals collect seafood
Saint Pierre en Port 2

Visit tips

  • I recommend a visit at low tide
  • Easy slope and a few stairs to access the beach
  • Pebble beach with few facilities
  • Plan a 30min stop or longer the explore and enjoy
  • Check out the best rated accommodations in the area

#5 Vaches Noires - Villers-sur-Mer

Vaches Noires beach Villers sur mer

Vaches Noires - Villers-sur-Mer beach

Location

  • Calvados department, Côte Fleurie
  • Between Deauville and Cabourg
  • Cabourg to Villers-sur-Mer = 20min drive
  • Deauville to Villers-sur-Mer = 15min drive

Why I love it

  • The beach and cliffs between Villers-sur-Mer and Houlgate are like no others in Normandy. Sorry my pictures don't do them justice
  • It is called "vaches noires" (meaning black cows) because of the big boulders fallen on the beach looking like black cows from the sea
  • I enjoyed the golden sand and the wave-like shape of the cliffs with many different colors
Vaches Noires beach Villers sur mer 2

Visit tips

  • You can reach the boulders by walking on the beach at low tide from Villers-sur-Mer (or from Houlgate)
  • Plan at least 2 hours around low tide
  • Bring a towel to enjoy walking barefoot
  • All facilities in town but nothing near the boulders
  • Check out the best rated accommodations in Villers-sur-Mer

#6 Arromanches Beach

Arromanches Beach bunker

Arromanches beach

Location

  • Calvados Department
  • North of Bayeux
  • Bayeux to Arromanches-les-Bains = 20min drive
  • Caen to Arromanches-le-Bains = 40min drive

Why I love it

Arromanches is an interesting combination: a wide golden sand flat beach at low tide, nice cliffs with greenery and remains of the unique WWII temporary harbor.
It offers magnificent nature and history all in one.

Arromanches Beach

Visit tips

  • Plan a visit at low tide to admire the remains of the temporary harbor on the sand and in the water
  • The beach is easy to access
  • Walk on the sand at low tide to get up close to the structures
  • Walk up / drive up to the East cliffs for beautiful views of the area and to better realize the position of the harbor
  • Plan at least 2h, more if you visit the museums
  • Check out the best rated accommodations in Arromanches-les-bains

#7 Gouville-sur-Mer beach huts

Gouville-sur-mer beach huts

Gouville-sur-Mer beach huts

Location

  • Manche department, West Coast
  • North of Granville
  • Granville to Gouville-sur-Mer = 45min

Why I love it

  • This is a great place to enjoy a long walk on the beach
  • At low tide you can see the oyster parks, and, in the distance, there is a small lighthouse in the distance (Phare du Sénéquet)
  • And, most of all, there are beautiful sand dunes between the road and the beach. Colorful huts have been built on them. They are very photogenic. (there are beach huts in many places in Normandy, but these are some of the favorites).
  • It feels so far away from everything, I thought it was a very relaxing place
Gouville-sur-mer beach

Visit tips

  • Easy to park
  • Very easy access to the dunes from the road
  • A couple of restaurants
  • Plan at least a couple of hours around low tide
  • Check out the best rated accommodations around Gouville-sur-Mer

#8 - Saint-Jouin-Bruneval / Antifer beach

Saint Jouin de Bruneval - Antifer beach

Location

  • Seine-Maritime department, Alabaster coast
  • Just North of Le Havre
  • Le Havre to Saint-Jouin-Bruvenal = 30min drive

Why I love it

  • I love most of the beaches on the Alabaster coast. This is one of my favorite corners in Normandy. So, at the end, it is difficult to choose the best ones.
  • I selected Saint-Jouin, because it offers a beautiful perspective on the cliffs and the colors of the cliffs. In other places they are very white, but here you can see orange and green
  • Plus, it is away from a village or town so, if feels more relaxing to me
Saint Jouin de Bruneval - Antifer beach 2

Visit tips

  • Easy access with large carpark
  • Plan 30min stop or longer to enjoy
  • Facilities in Summer
  • Prefer at low tide
  • Check out the best rated accommodations in Le Havre

#9 - Ouistreham and the best sandy beaches in Normandy

As I wrote earlier, my selection of the best beaches is based on scenery, not the best one to lay down on the sand all day.

However, if you are looking for such a beach, I think Ouistreham would have my vote, because:

  • The beach is really large so you can have some space
  • The sand is nice 
  • The seafront is not in your face when on the beach. There is a little distance before reaching the buildings.
  • The facilities are nicely organized.
Ouistreham beach

Ouistreham Beach

The most famous sandy beaches are mostly around the Côte Fleurie and Côte de Nacre. Deauville is the most famous resort town.
Other sandy beaches to enjoy are:

  • Deauville Beach
  • Trouville-sur-mer Beach
  • Houlgate Beach
  • Cabourg Beach

But you can also find some on the West coast (Manche department) such as: 

  • Carolles-plage Beach
  • Plage du Thar Beach
  • Breville-sur-Mer Beach
  • Carteret Beach
Carolles beach

Carolles-plage Beach


#10 - Omaha and the best WWII beaches in Normandy

Another reason for visiting the beaches in Normandy is history.
Many of them have seen the landing of military troops during WWII.

I have not listed them before, because, in terms of scenery, they don't have something special (in my opinion).
However, they are worth a visit to understand history and learn more about the landings.

The 3 most famous ones are:

  • Omaha beach
  • Utah beach
  • Juno beach

Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach sculpture

Omaha Beach Sculpture

Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach

At Omaha you can enjoy the splendid memorial sculpture in the sand. 
The museums are further away from the beach.

Utah Beach

Utah beach WWII

Utah Beach Museum

Utah beach

Utah Beach

At Utah beach you can enjoy the sand dune, the vast sandy area, the scene set up around to show what the landing was like.
There is also an excellent museum for those who want to learn more.

Juno Beach

Juno beach museum

Juno Beach Museum

Juno beach

Juno Beach

At Juno Beach, there is also a sand dune and a few remains of bunkers.
This is where you will find the Canadian Museum about WII.


Want to see more of the best Normandy has to offer?

  • 42 Best things to do in Normandy - read article
  • 10 most charming villages in Normandy - read article
  • 16 best castles and their parks - read article
  • 5 Best destinations in Normandy - read article
  • The most impressive abbeys in Normandy - read article
  • The best cities and towns - read article
  • The cathedrals and most unique churches - read article

Planning a trip to Normandy? 

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

s the road trip guide normandy eBook cover

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

LEARN MORE

And keep track of your own trip!

Normandy road trip Journal

Want to see more of NORMANDY?

PREVIOUS: 

Best abbeys in Normandy

NEXT: 

Best towns in Normandy (and cities)

Normandy Travel Guide

Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!

best beaches in Normandy Travel Pin1
Most beautiful beaches in Normandy Travel Pin2

Footer

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2022 ZigZag On Earth · Log in