We will be in Paris for three weeks next August and will be going 2 or 3 days to Loire Valley and another 2 or 3 days to Normandy area sometime during this three weeks. Are the beaches in Normandy area good for swimming or are we better to head to Brittany? Thanks for any info as it's always much appreciatied. We have two teenage boys with us and they love to swim in the ocean ( we live inland).

Beachs in northern Europe are not good, the water temperature ranges from cold to very cold. The wind may chill you a little bit more. Anyway, Normandy is very beautiful.

We liked the beaches in Normandy. Deauville is a common destination for parisians heading to the beach. Those of us used to beaches on the US west coast would consider the water warm, but boring (no surf). Arromanches was a neat smaller town to the south, in the d-day landing area, that would make a nice beach stop.

The beaches in northern Europe and Normandy are ok. The water is not to cold in august, unless you come from Miami of the Keys.

This past summer the mayor of Paris closed off a street and &quot;made&quot; a beach right along the Seine! Sand was hauled in and beach umbrellas set up. It was still &quot;beachy&quot; when we came back through August 12-14. So your boys might like to check it out--I'm sure they will do it again this summer. Located on the Right Bank in front of Hotel de Ville.<BR><BR>Surf's up!<BR><BR>Jinx Hoover

If you should choose Brittany, FYI the southern beaches are finer sand and warmer than the north coast beaches since you want to swim.

My inlaws live in Normandy, near Dieppe and we go every summer. Normandy is beautiful as are the WWII beaches near Caen. My children go into the water if the day is sunny, but I usually find it too chilly. Remember the weather can often be cloudy and cool. <BR>Brittany has similar weather so if you really want a guarantee of heat and sun you need to think further south in France. <BR>Thought the beach in Paris was a fun idea, but remember you can't swim in the river. <BR>

Hi<BR><BR>just an idea.<BR><BR>Paris - Montpellier is 3hrs by TGV, or 1 hr by plane.<BR><BR>Cheap deals available for both.<BR><BR>If you want to swim, why not go to the Med ?<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR>

If you're at the western end of the Loire Valley (the city of Angers) then you're not that far from the French resort of La Baule. The water there is definitely warm enough to swim in (however it's Brittany, not Normandy).<BR>BTilke