The top summer beach resorts in France: Normandy

With close to 400 miles of coastline, the French region of Normandy is an ideal option for British travellers looking for a summer beach holiday that offers affordability and convenience combined with fun, excitement and opportunities for relaxation.

A choice of ferry crossings from the UK means that the region couldn't be easier to reach, while the range of sights to see and things to experience makes Normandy a perfect holiday destination for visitors of all ages and interests.

Getting there

Travellers can catch ferries to France from several ports around the UK with a number of different operators. LD Lines is among the leading providers of cross channel ferry links, with routes from Dover to Boulogne and Dieppe as well as a Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry service.

Ferries from Portsmouth to Cherbourg are provided by both Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries. Brittany Ferries also offers a service to the French port from Poole alongside a Portsmouth to Caen ferry route.

People setting off on their summer holiday from Ireland can catch ferries from Rosslare to Le Havre with LD Lines or sail from Rosslare to Cherbourg with Irish Ferries.

Ferries to France timetables

Things to do

One of the highlights of a visit to Normandy for many travellers will be the opportunity to try their hand at a variety of watersports. Located along the coast are a number of schools offering professional instructors who can introduce visitors to the basics of the sport they are interested in trying. Pursuits on offer include windsurfing, surfboarding and sailing, as well as more unusual sports such as kitesurfing and sand-yachting. Towns where holidaymakers will find a certified watersports centre include Cote d'Albatre, Le Havre, Cherbourg-Hague and Fecamp.

Summer visitors to Normandy will be able to attend a number of events this year to add a memorable element to their trip. The beach at Houlgate will be one of the seafront locations offering entertainment, with an annual kite festival taking place between June 3rd and 7th. The first week in June will also see Deauville host its annual regatta, while the whole of Normandy will be involved in celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

From mid-July to mid-August this year, the Pays d'Auge region of Normandy will host a series of live music, dance and theatre events in churches, parks, gardens and other public areas. There will also be a series of events held at Mont Saint-Michel throughout the summer up to October 16th to celebrate the coastal site's 1,300-year history.

Things to see

While a summer holiday in Normandy offers plenty of time to relax on the beach and unwind, it also provides the opportunity to learn about the region's history. Visitors interested in finding out about the significant part that Normandy played in World War II can head to Omaha Beach at Colleville-sur-Mer, one of five beaches where Allied troops landed on June 6th, 1944, better known as D-Day. The area is home to a visitor centre that offers information on Operation Overlord and a cemetery containing more than 9,000 gravestones.

Another coastal location well worth seeing in Normandy is Etretat, an area of stunning natural beauty where visitors can walk along dramatic limestone cliffs or set off on a boat trip to enjoy a view of the coastline from the water. As well as its picturesque seafront - which has famously provided inspiration for many artists in the past - Etretat is home to an old market square and a golf course.

Arguably the most famous coastal attraction of all in Normandy is Mont Saint-Michel, a grand abbey that crowns a rocky tidal island about a mile off the north coast of France. Visitors can take in impressive sights such as the forward defences of the commune of Mont Saint-Michel and pay a visit to the Grevin wax museum at the foot of the abbey, which explores the lives of the monks who once lived there.

Places to stay

The two-star Kyriad in Cherbourg is a good option for holidaymakers looking for convenience and affordability combined with comfort, while Les 13 Assiettes and St Aubert in the Mont Saint-Michel area also provide a high standard of accommodation in a popular location.

Those who would prefer three-star service may be interested in heading to the city of Rouen to stay in the Berteliere, while travellers intending to stay near the coast for their beach holiday can choose from options including La Mere Poulard in Mont Saint-Michel.

Boasting an ideal location in the centre of Le Havre is the four-star Hotel Pasino, which offers amenities including a spa and a wellness centre. Another four-star option is the Relais St Michel, which offers impressive views of the Mont that can be enjoyed during a meal at the hotel restaurant.

Written by Andrew Smith