Little fishermen’s houses, big villas and casinos.
The seaside resorts on the Côte de Nacre (“Mother of Pearl Coast”) is little piece of paradise for lovers of water sports and outdoor leisure activities!
Get into the water in Ouistreham Riva-Bella!
We’re off to Ouistreham Riva-Bella beach, next to the port of Ouistreham. This is a listed resort with the France Nautical Station label (3 stars). You soon see why the beach is known as the Pearl of the Côte de Nacre! For water sports and activities, Riva-Bella is in the forefront for unique experiences! Canoeing, standup paddleboarding, sand yachting, jet-skiing, sailing in a dinghy or a catamaran… There are plenty of activities to enjoy at sea, in the Orne estuary or in the canal.
Looking for a relaxing experience?
Then breathe in the sea air along 3 km of sandy beaches at Ouistreham Riva-Bella! For children, no worries: the gentle slope means they can enjoy a swim in perfect safety.
During high tide, take the time to watch the changing landscapes.
You will probably notice the dunes dividing the town from the beach, and the Colleville-Ouistreham marshes near Colleville-Montgomery beach!
At the heart of nature in Colleville-Montgomery and Hermanville-sur-Mer
The green Colleville-Montgomery resort and the seaside town of Hermanville-sur-Mer are not to be missed if you love nature! With the big, picturesque Second Empire villas and the preserved and protected natural environment, make sure you have your camera with you in Colleville-Montgomery. The resort has both the Blue Flag and Green Resort labels. On the natural sand dune facing the residential area on the seafront, you will see a real natural treasure!
With sea birds, a whole host of plants and shellfish species, this is the ideal spot for an exploration with the family!
Hiking fans can follow the pilgrims’ path crossing the little town and the Caprice Wood! If you go up to the top of the embankment, with your back to the sea, don’t miss the monument to the 1st battalion of marine commandos led by Major Kieffer. You can also see the statue of Bill Millin, who played the bagpipes as the soldiers landed on this beach on 6 June 1944. Morning or evening, you will always see a different scene depending on the tides!
For a 100% nature walk, set off along the Hermanville-sur-Mer beach.
Along 1800 metres, you will see people playing a range of water sports on one side and the architectural gems and picturesque buildings on the other. Don’t miss the “Bluette”, the most famous villa in Hermanville. The villa is covered in pebbles from the beach and was designed by the famous architect, Guimard. It is listed as a historic monument. Take your time to appreciate the villa’s architecture with its unusual curved shapes!
A relaxing break in Lion-sur-mer
Why not take it easy for a while on the town-centre beach? Lion-sur-Mer is a great place for a day out with the family with a chance to meet locals out looking for shellfish at low tide. On the beach, there are several bathing cabins similar to the ones at Ouistreham Riva-Bella, helping to give the coast its extra charm!
If you want to take some photos, Lion-sur-Mer has an exceptional view over the Confessionnaux cliffs, a unique nature area to the west of the beach!
Find out about tide times before you go because the beach is under water during high tide.
