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?

Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.

Hotel Saint Aubin.

Thanks!

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.

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)

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.


From our balcony at the Dormy House

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

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

Thank you!

Thank you! Love the pics!

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

Thank you for posting.

I like unfashionable
Ouistreham
Barfleur
St Vaast

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

Thanks for the info!

Thanks - I like your user name.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

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.

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

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