Top 15 most beautiful beaches in Normandie2026 ranking

Etretat Beach offers a magnificent view of the cliffs. The beach is made of pebbles, which is really nice. It was actually a bit crowded, but not too bad when I went in early September. Just a heads up, it is strictly forbidden to take any pebbles, as they are already threatened by the sea.

Etretat Beach is much nicer off-season because it is less crowded. Once you get past the parking issue, it is still nice to take a walk along the sea in Etretat during the summer. The Amont and Aval cliffs, along with the pebbles, offer a landscape typical of the Alabaster Coast. The turquoise color of the sea reinforces that postcard vibe. You do not even need to head up the cliffs to enjoy the area! A glass of wine or a seafood platter on a terrace are just as pleasant. There are two playgrounds to keep the kids busy.

Bordered by its monumental cliffs, this beach creates a unique landscape. I love walking there and sitting down to enjoy the view. If you want to swim, I recommend wearing water shoes because there are large pebbles. Unfortunately, the beach is a victim of its own success. I went during a long weekend, and the place was packed. However, it is a great starting point for hiking along the coast and getting away from the crowd.

In Barneville-Carteret, the beach is the ultimate vacation spot, bordered on one side by dunes and on the other by the seaside resort and its activities. It is an ideal setting for a day at the beach with the kids. Picnics, lounging, sandcastles, swimming... a lovely family moment for the duration of a tide. The picturesque white and blue beach huts add so much charm to this beach. From there, a coastal path takes us all the way to the Carteret Lighthouse for those who feel like a little walk by the sea. For the more athletic, plenty of board sports are on offer. It is a paradise for kite-surfing or paddleboarding enthusiasts.

The beach at Trouville-sur-mer stretches for a little over 1,000 meters and offers a magnificent view of the sea, as well as some sumptuous late 19th-century villas. The fine sand beach (with some seashells here and there) offers plenty of activities for both kids and adults. There are lots of welcoming restaurants and bars along the beach, not far from the boardwalk. For me, it has nothing to envy its neighbor Deauville.

In the summer, it is really too crowded to fully enjoy this beach. But off-season, it can be very nice. The walk on the boardwalk is as pleasant as can be. For those with a lot of money to spend, the nearby restaurants will be perfect. For others, you might need to head a little further away to see the prices come back down.

Deauville Beach has all the charm of the seaside resorts on the Côte Fleurie! Its colorful umbrellas in the summer, the Bains Pompéiens, the boardwalk, and the names of American stars on the concrete railings between the beach cabins, plus the magnificent sunsets in the spring and fall... not the wildest beach, of course, but a must when you are passing through Deauville.

Treport Beach is the perfect spot for a nice walk by the sea. The scenery is really impressive with its huge stretch of pebbles, the view of the cliffs, and all those colorful beach huts. Come enjoy the sunset, it is even more magical!

Relaxing and pleasant setting for thalassotherapy trips. A big sandy beach where you can hang out without being on top of each other. The walk along the beach is romantic. As for the town, there are restaurants and shops, but nothing over the top.

I would not necessarily recommend Cabourg Beach for sunbathing or swimming. At high tide, the already limited space gets totally crowded in the summer. And despite the presence of the Casino and the grand hotel, which are pretty impressive, the place feels like a concrete jungle. Focus on visiting the town center and walking along the promenade Marcel Proust instead. As for the beach, I much prefer the one in Houlgate, not too far away, with its picturesque setting and long stretch of sand.