7 Coastal Towns in Normandy You Must Visit

Normandy is a region where history and natural beauty blend beautifully. Stand atop impressive cliffs, stroll through medieval streets, relax on wide, sandy beaches…. It’s the land of landscapes that inspired so many Impressionist painters. You’ll also find lively local markets, fresh seafood, and quiet, picturesque villages that feel untouched by time.

Here are 7 gems you absolutely need to visit:

1. Deauville

Deauville sits on Normandy’s coast and packs plenty into a small space. Its beach stretches wide, lined with colorful umbrellas and wooden boardwalks.

The town’s casino and racetrack draw crowds, and its film festival steals the spotlight each September. Half-timbered villas and designer shops give it a polished look. The marina is busy with sleek yachts.

Just two hours from Paris, Deauville feels upscale without being over the top – a quick getaway for city dwellers chasing sea air and style.

Strolling along the boardwalk, “Les Planches,” you can feel the charm of this stylish town. The Riviera of the North.

2. Granville

Granville’s old town sits on cliffs, surrounded by 15th-century medieval walls and offering panoramic views of the sea. The lower town has a busy fishing port, seafood restaurants, and shops.

You can tour the Christian Dior Museum, set in the designer’s childhood home, or walk along the beach and explore tidal pools at low tide.

Granville is also the gateway to the Chausey Islands, with ferries leaving regularly for day trips.

3. Étretat

Étretat is probably one of the most scenic spots along the Normandy coast, famous for its dramatic white cliffs and natural rock arches. The cliff paths offer incredible views, with landmarks like the Needle and the Arch standing tall over the sea.

Artists like Monet once captured these landscapes in their paintings. The town itself has a quiet, laid-back vibe, with cozy cafés and small shops.

One of Étretat’s highlights is Les Jardins d’Étretat, a cliffside garden with sculpted greenery and stunning views of the sea and iconic cliffs. Visitors can wander through themed sections filled with sculptures and carefully shaped plants.

4. Honfleur

Honfleur is a small harbor town famous for its historic port and half-timbered houses. The Vieux Bassin, lined with cafés and galleries, is the main attraction, drawing artists and photographers.

Sainte-Catherine’s Church, built entirely of wood, stands out with its twin roofs shaped like an upside-down ship.

You can stroll cobblestone streets, explore local art museums, and relax by the water. Honfleur also has a weekend market filled with regional cheeses, cider, and seafood.

5. Cabourg

Cabourg is a seaside town renowned for its Belle Époque charm and long sandy beach. Once a favorite summer retreat for the elite, the town is still filled with grand villas and elegant buildings from that era.

Cabourg’s promenade stretches along the coastline. Marcel Proust spent his summers here, and his presence is felt throughout the town. The town also hosts an annual film festival.

6. Fécamp

Fécamp sits along Normandy’s striking Alabaster Coast. Its star attraction is the Benedictine Palace, a beautiful landmark where the Benedictine liqueur was first created. You can tour its distillery, museum, and art collection.

The Abbey of Sainte-Trinité is a Gothic masterpiece with origins dating back to the 11th century – it once housed a relic believed to contain Christ’s blood.

Fécamp’s port was once home to France’s cod-fishing fleet. The pebble beach and nearby cliffs, including Cap Fagnet, have hiking trails with panoramic views and WWII bunkers.

7. Barfleur

Barfleur is a small fishing village with a peaceful atmosphere, and granite houses that line the harbor. In the Middle Ages, it was one of Normandy’s key ports, and it was from here that William the Conqueror set sail for England in 1066.

The village has kept its authentic charm, with fishing boats still bringing in fresh catches daily. You can get fresh seafood at local restaurants and enjoy the scenic coastal paths. The lighthouse, Gatteville, is one of the tallest in France.