Best Beaches in Normandy
9 hand-picked beaches in Normandy, ranked by our editors. Top pick: Etretat Beach (4.4 / 5).
Etretat Beach
Etretat, Normandy, France · Pebbles below White Cliffs · 4.4 / 5
Plage de Deauville
Deauville, Normandy · Famous boardwalk and striped parasols · 4.4 / 5
Arromanches Gold Beach
Arromanches-les-Bains, Normandy · D-Day beach with the Mulberry harbour remains · 4.3 / 5
Omaha Beach
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Normandy · Historic D-Day beach with a long, flat shore · 4.2 / 5
Plage de Cabourg
Cabourg, Normandy · Elegant Normandy sand beach and promenade · 4.2 / 5
Plage de Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Normandy
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Calvados, Normandy · Wide sandy beach with D-Day history on the Normandy coast · 4.2 / 5
Plage de Ouistreham, Normandy
Ouistreham, Calvados, Normandy · Wide sandy beach beside the Caen ferry port · 4.2 / 5
Utah Beach, Normandy
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Normandy · D-Day landing beach with wide flat sand in Normandy · 4.2 / 5
Plage de Granville
Granville, Normandy · Tidal sandy beach below the old town of Granville in Normandy · 4.2 / 5About beaches in Normandy
Normandy has wide sandy beaches, white chalk cliffs at Etretat and the historic D-Day landing beaches. The tides are large and the sea is cool, so many visitors come for walking, history and scenery as well as swimming.
When to go
July and August are warmest for swimming, while spring and autumn suit walking and visits to the landing beaches.
Getting around
A car is the easiest way to travel along the coast. Check tide times before walking on the sand, and stay clear of cliff edges and unexploded-ordnance warning areas.
Easiest beaches to reach
Etretat Beach, Plage de Deauville, Arromanches Gold Beach, Omaha Beach.
All beaches at a glance
- Etretat Beach: best June–September, water about 17 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de Deauville: best June–September, water about 17 degrees C, access easy.
- Arromanches Gold Beach: best June–September, water about 18 degrees C, access easy.
- Omaha Beach: best June–September, water about 17 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de Cabourg: best June–September, water about 18 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Normandy: best June–September, water about 17 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de Ouistreham, Normandy: best June–September, water about 17 degrees C, access easy.
- Utah Beach, Normandy: best July–September, water about 18 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de Granville: best July–September, water about 18 degrees C, access easy.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the beaches in Normandy?
July and August are warmest for swimming, while spring and autumn suit walking and visits to the landing beaches.
Which beaches in Normandy are easiest to reach?
The easiest access is at Etretat Beach, Plage de Deauville, Arromanches Gold Beach, Omaha Beach. Check each beach page for parking and facilities.
Do I need a car for the beaches in Normandy?
A car is the easiest way to travel along the coast. Check tide times before walking on the sand, and stay clear of cliff edges and unexploded-ordnance warning areas.
Best-of lists for Normandy
Best Sandy Beaches in Normandy · Easiest Beaches to Reach in Normandy