Côte Fleurie: 10 must-do activities

Between Cabourg and Honfleur, the Côte fleurie unfolds its charms along the Normandy coastline. Elegant seaside resorts, fine sandy beaches, Belle Époque architecture and lush green countryside: this stretch of Calvados is the perfect embodiment of Normandy’s gentle way of life. From prestigious Deauville to the cliffs of Les Vaches Noires, via the colourful villas of Villers-sur-Mer, discover the 10 must-do things to do on the Côte fleurie for an unforgettable stay between sea and countryside.

Discover the tour to Deauville

An interactive guide

19 fun audioguides

See the route

You can also read about the Côte Fleurie guide:

• Top 5 things to do in and around Deauville
• Top 5 cheap hotels in Deauville
• 19 must-see places to visit in Normandy
  
• Sailing in Normandy: 9 must-see spots
• 15 châteaux and manor houses to visit in Normandy
• The most beautiful villages in Calvados to discover
• The 9 best places for canoeing in Normandy
• Visiting Normandy

1. Deauville, queen of the stage

It’s impossible to talk about the Côte Fleurie without mentioning Deauville, Normandy’s most famous seaside resort. With its famous boards lined with colourful parasols, its beach huts bearing the names of Hollywood stars and its legendary casino, Deauville epitomises French elegance. The town’s charm lies in its Belle Époque architecture, its palaces such as the Hôtel Normandy Barrière and the Hôtel Royal, and its lively Place Morny.

Horse-racing fans are sure to flock to the Deauville, La Touques and Clairefontaine racecourses, while film buffs won’t want to miss the American Film Festival, held every year in early September. To discover all the secrets of this iconic town, let Navaway guide you on an audio tour of Deauville.

Download the audio tour to discover Deauville on foot and on your own

Discover Deauville on a 2-hour audio tour that takes you from the legendary beaches to the villa district, via the casino and the racecourses. 19 points of interest will reveal the fascinating history of this seaside resort born in the 19th century. To make the most of your visit, take a look at the tour of Deauville and download the Navaway app.

2. Trouville-sur-Mer, the genuine neighbour

On the other side of the Touques, Trouville-sur-Mer has a more popular and authentic atmosphere than its neighbour Deauville. Nicknamed the “Queen of Beaches”, this seaside resort was home to artists from the 19th century, from Gustave Flaubert to Claude Monet. Its lively fishing port, listed fish market and colourful villas give it a timeless charm.

Stroll along the seafront, admire the famous Casino Barrière and sample seafood in one of the many restaurants in the harbour. Trouville’s beach is more family-friendly than Deauville’s, making it ideal for families with children. The two towns are linked by the Pont des Belges, which spans the river Touques, making it easy to cross from one to the other.

3. Honfleur, jewel of the estuary

At the northern end of the Côte fleurie, Honfleur unfurls its charms around its picturesque Vieux Bassin. This harbour of character, with its narrow houses with slate facades reflected in the water, inspired the greatest Impressionist painters. Eugène Boudin, a native of the town, and Claude Monet immortalised the very special light of the Seine estuary here.

Don’t miss the church of Sainte-Catherine, the largest wooden church in France built by naval carpenters in the 15th century, or the Lieutenance, a vestige of the old fortifications. The cobbled streets of the historic centre are packed with art galleries, craft shops and gourmet restaurants. For an in-depth visit, follow the itinerary to visit Honfleur, which will reveal the secrets of this maritime city in 20 points of interest.

4. Cabourg, in the footsteps of Marcel Proust

A romantic seaside resort par excellence, Cabourg has retained its Belle Époque character, with sumptuous villas and a unique fan-shaped layout. It was here that Marcel Proust regularly stayed at the Grand Hôtel between 1907 and 1914, drawing inspiration from the town to create Balbec in “In Search of Lost Time”. The Marcel Proust Promenade, which runs for more than 4 kilometres along an immense beach of fine sand, is an inviting place to take a stroll facing the sea.

The town centre, with its preserved architecture and flower-filled gardens, is also well worth a visit. Every year, the “Cabourg mon amour” festival celebrates romantic cinema in this town that seems frozen in time. Horse enthusiasts will love the Cabourg racecourse, one of the finest on the Côte Fleurie.

5. Villers-sur-Mer and the Vaches Noires cliffs

Villers-sur-Mer is a charming family resort with an exceptional geological heritage. The Vaches Noires cliffs, a protected natural site, are a striking sight with their black clay rocks stretching between Villers and Houlgate. These cliffs are a veritable paradise for palaeontology enthusiasts: ammonite fossils and other Jurassic remains are regularly found here.

The Paléospace, a museum devoted to dinosaurs and local geology, offers visitors the chance to learn more about this fascinating period. The Villers beach, with its lifeguard surveillance and well-equipped facilities, stretches for several kilometres and offers great walks at low tide. The Blonville-Villers marsh, the only natural green space on the Côte Fleurie, is home to some remarkable flora and fauna, which you can discover on a nature walk.

6. Houlgate, elegance and seaside architecture

Nestling between the sea and the cliffs, Houlgate has an exceptional architectural heritage. This exclusive resort has preserved some splendid Belle Époque villas in eclectic styles: Neo-Norman, Anglo-Norman, Moorish… Each house tells its own story and bears witness to the golden age of sea bathing in the early 20th century.

Houlgate’s sheltered, family-friendly beach is bordered by a pleasant promenade that invites you to take a stroll. The cliffs of Mont Canisy offer spectacular panoramic views over the bay and make for great walking. The lively, friendly town centre offers a wide range of shops, restaurants and entertainment throughout the year, making Houlgate a top choice for a holiday on the Côte fleurie.

7. Blonville-sur-Mer, between beach and nature

A more discreet seaside resort, Blonville-sur-Mer is well worth a visit for its three fine sandy beaches accessible at low tide. Situated at the foot of the cliffs of Mont Canisy, the town offers remarkable views of the Normandy coastline from its heights.

The Blonville marsh, a 110-hectare protected natural area, is a veritable green lung between Blonville and Villers-sur-Mer. This freshwater marsh, fed by the surrounding watercourses, is home to exceptional biodiversity. Waymarked paths and observatories offer a peaceful way to discover this unspoilt ecosystem. For sports enthusiasts, the Blonville riding centre offers horse-riding in the surrounding area, while golfers will love the nearby Cabourg-Le Home golf course.

8. The Pays d’Auge, between apple trees and stud farms

The hinterland of the Côte Fleurie offers some wonderful discoveries in the Pays d’Auge, a hilly region with typically Norman landscapes. Cider apple trees, prestigious stud farms, half-timbered manor houses and flower-filled villages make up a bucolic setting just a few kilometres from the beaches.

Take the famous Route du Cidre, which winds its way between Cambremer and Beuvron-en-Auge, listed as one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages. Here you can discover the secrets of cider, calvados and pommeau production in the many cider houses along the way. Cheese lovers won’t want to miss Pont-l’Évêque, birthplace of the famous PDO cheese that bears its name. The national stud farms at Le Pin and Saint-Lô bear witness to the region’s equestrian tradition.

9. Côte fleurie racecourses

The Côte Fleurie and the equestrian world have enjoyed close links for over a century. Calvados, the birthplace of the French thoroughbred, boasts some of the finest racecourses in France. The Deauville-La Touques racecourse, inaugurated in 1864, hosts the most prestigious races during the summer, including the Prix de Diane and the Prix Jacques le Marois.

The Deauville-Clairefontaine racecourse, nestling in a green setting, offers racing in a more intimate setting. At Cabourg, the racecourse offers a friendly, family atmosphere. These temples to turf racing welcome enthusiasts and novices alike to discover the unique atmosphere of horse racing. The paddocks, where you can admire the horses up close before they set off, and the elegant grandstands are an integral part of the Côte fleurie’s heritage.

10. A boat trip on the English Channel

To admire the Côte fleurie from a different angle, there’s nothing like a trip out to sea. Several service providers offer boat trips departing from Deauville, Trouville or Honfleur. Traditional sailboats, modern catamarans or motorboats take you along the beaches, past villas from the sea and perhaps past a few of the seals that populate the Seine estuary.

Cruises on the estuary also give you the chance to admire the majestic Pont de Normandie linking Honfleur to Le Havre. For the more adventurous, hiring a sailboat or motorboat offers total freedom to explore the coastline at your own pace. The marinas of Deauville and Honfleur have all the facilities needed for sailors. These sea outings are an original and memorable way to discover the beauty of Normandy’s Côte Fleurie.

In conclusion, the Côte fleurie is an exceptional destination that combines Belle Époque elegance, historical heritage and natural beauty. From Deauville to Honfleur, each seaside resort has its own identity, while sharing the Norman art de vivre of gastronomy, culture and tranquillity. Whether you’re a lover of architecture, nature, horse racing or simply looking to relax on fine sandy beaches, this stretch of Calvados coastline is sure to please. To make the most of your stay, don’t hesitate to take one of the Navaway audio tours, which will help you discover the secrets and anecdotes of these emblematic Normandy towns.

FAQ : Your questions about the Côte fleurie

When is the best time to visit the Côte fleurie?

The Côte Fleurie can be visited all year round, but the ideal period is from May to September. Summer offers the best climate for enjoying the beaches, while spring and autumn allow you to discover the region in a more tranquil atmosphere, and at lower prices.

How do you get around the towns on the Côte fleurie?

The most practical way to explore the Côte Fleurie at your own pace is by car. There are also regular bus services between the main seaside resorts. For an authentic experience, the cycle path that runs along the coast between Cabourg and Deauville offers a great ecological alternative.

What gastronomic specialities can you try on the Côte fleurie?

The Côte fleurie is a feast for the taste buds with its seafood (oysters, scallops, Trouville sole), PDO cheeses (camembert, pont-l’évêque, livarot), and of course cider, calvados and pommeau from the Pays d’Auge. Don’t miss the Normandy crêpes and apple tart for dessert.

Can you swim on the beaches of the Côte fleurie?

Yes, all the beaches on the Côte fleurie are suitable for swimming. The beaches at Deauville, Trouville, Cabourg and Villers-sur-Mer are supervised in summer. The water in the English Channel remains cool even in summer (around 18-20°C), but high tides offer vast stretches of sand for swimming and water sports.