Cabourg is a Belle Époque seaside resort on the Normandy coast, built around a semicircular plan radiating from the Grand Hotel on the seafront. Marcel Proust spent summers here and used it as the model for Balbec in his novels. The long sandy beach, the elegant promenade named after Proust, and the faded grandeur of the architecture give it a particular atmosphere: genteel, slightly old-fashioned, and very French. We think it's a good family beach base for Normandy, though the weather is Normandy weather (bring a coat even in July) and the town is quiet outside summer.
Why Stay in Cabourg
- Sandy beach: A long, wide stretch of fine sand. Cabourg has one of the best beaches on the Calvados coast. Shallow water, lifeguards in summer, and space even on busy days.
- Belle Époque character: The Grand Hotel, the casino, and the seafront architecture date from the late 19th century. The town has a refinement that the livelier resorts along the coast lack.
- D-Day access: The landing beaches (Sword, Juno) start just east of here. Pegasus Bridge and the Mémorial de Caen are within 20-30 minutes.
- Weather: This is the English Channel coast. Rain is possible any month. Summer highs average around 20-22°C. Pack layers and a waterproof.
Things to Do in Cabourg
Walk the Promenade Marcel Proust along the full length of the beach. The seafront villas and the Grand Hotel give it a period-drama quality. The casino at the centre offers a flutter if you're so inclined.
Visit the D-Day beaches. Sword Beach is 15 minutes east. Pegasus Bridge at Bénouville (20 minutes) is where British glider troops landed in the early hours of June 6, 1944. The museum is small but moving. Arromanches (30 minutes) still has remnants of the Mulberry harbour.
Dives-sur-Mer (5 minutes) has a covered market hall (one of the oldest in Normandy) and the church where William the Conqueror supposedly set sail for England. Deauville (10 minutes across the river) has the planches (boardwalk), horse racing, and upmarket boutiques. Caen (25 minutes) has the Mémorial museum, William the Conqueror's castles, and good restaurants.