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-   -   Normandy Beach Towns (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/normandy-beach-towns-1724715/)

GoBag Aug 15th, 2024 01:41 PM

Normandy Beach Towns
 
I am just starting to think about my next trip. I am planning to go next spring or fall. I want to spend a few days in Rouen and then go to see the D-Day beaches. After that, I'd like to spend a few days on the coast. I am looking for a town that has a nice beach/ocean view, a nice hotel, and a few good restaurants and is not crammed with tourists. Any suggestions?

cdnyul Aug 15th, 2024 02:40 PM

Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.

Hotel Saint Aubin.

GoBag Aug 15th, 2024 03:00 PM

Thanks!

kerouac Aug 16th, 2024 10:48 AM

I love Etretat but it is becoming too popular. However outside of the summer rush and a few long holiday weekends in other seasons, it should be fine.

dudu59242 Aug 16th, 2024 01:52 PM

Nice city
 
I sugest Deauville on the Normandy coast. Very nice, beautiful and romantic city with beaches and hotels.
You can also try Cabourg
and Honfleur for his small old harbour with nice restaurants

J.P. (France)

john183 Aug 18th, 2024 02:34 PM

Agree with kerouac about Etretat. We enjoyed two different stays there years ago (2004 and 2011) It was not crowded at all then but not sure what it's like now. The views from our balcony at the Dormy House and from our walks on the cliffs and beach were incredible. Nice meals at a couple of restaurants not on the beach but back on little streets in the town. Here are a couple of pics.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ad9acb4492.jpg
From our balcony at the Dormy House
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c3dcd3115e.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e312ac7cff.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...16715e56c4.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ea1eae288d.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e421e6195d.jpg

lavandula Aug 18th, 2024 02:45 PM

Honfleur really is very touristic (i.e. lots of tourists, lots of tourist infrastructure), even if pretty. I fear maybe too much for the OP ...?

Lavandula

aliced Aug 18th, 2024 02:57 PM

Loved Etretat, of course have print of Monet's painting there, and stayed at a beautiful B&B nearby before moving along the coast.

GoBag Aug 19th, 2024 02:18 AM

Thank you!

GoBag Aug 19th, 2024 02:20 AM

Thank you! Love the pics!

GoBag Aug 19th, 2024 02:21 AM

I assumed that. It's been in every travel book I have seen for twenty years I think.

GoBag Aug 19th, 2024 02:22 AM

Thank you for posting.

bilboburgler Aug 19th, 2024 05:22 AM

I like unfashionable
Ouistreham
Barfleur
St Vaast

Nikki Aug 19th, 2024 05:28 AM

I have only been to Cabourg, but I think it fits your description. Read Proust on the beach.

GoBag Aug 19th, 2024 05:38 AM

Thanks for the info!

GoBag Aug 19th, 2024 09:10 AM

Thanks - I like your user name.

GoBag Aug 19th, 2024 09:10 AM

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

Madam397 Aug 19th, 2024 10:17 AM

We only spent a limited amount of time in both Etratat and Honfleur on our trip to Normandy and Paris about 12 years ago. It was a rainy morning when we left Rouen after a quick breakfast in our hotel as we needed to move our car by a certain time as it was now Monday and Sunday offered free parking in the municipal lot by our hotel but the sun was out when we arrived in Honfleur so very pleasant to walk around and see the sights in the harbor area and enjoy a cafe with a pastry before we drove up to a viewpoint and then it was off to Caen for the WWII museum which was so interesting.

kerouac Aug 23rd, 2024 01:03 PM

An afternoon in Etretat (by kerouac2) | Any Port in a Storm (proboards.com)

Cabby671 Aug 25th, 2024 11:39 AM

It's not right on the ocean but Bayeux is a nice town. I stayed there about 10 years ago.


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