Nestled on the Normandy coast, the seaside town of Cabourg embodies both timeless elegance and natural beauty. Its seafront, its dune, its villas, its link with Proust… you’ll fall under its spell!
Here’s our guide to the must-see places in the Normandy town of Cabourg, and some useful tips for planning your visit.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
1. Walking on the Promenade Marcel Proust
A stroll along the seafront is a must in Cabourg. On one side you have the golden sandy beach and the sea stretching to the horizon, and on the other, the superb villas, all unique. Very relaxing and inspiring!
As you face the sea, the walk to the right takes you to the Cabourg dune, which we present below.
And the walk to the left (west) takes you along the beach, then you can continue along the sand.
- Free access
- Floor in good condition
- Almost 3 kilometers of paved promenade and paths with sand at each end.
2. Enjoy the beach and its blue huts
Cabourg is one of Normandy’s most beautiful beaches, with fine golden sand. Depending on the tides, you’ll have more or less sand to rest on, but the atmosphere is always pleasant.
But above all, the beach is very long, allowing you to enjoy long walks with your feet in the sand and water.
It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Normandy.
Extra: on some sections, don’t miss the blue and white sea huts.
- Free access
- Supervised in season, on certain sections
- Toilets at several points along the beach
- A very popular beach in summer, it can be difficult to find space. Move away from the city center to find more open sand.
- Like all natural beaches, algae can appear at certain times of the year. It’s impossible to predict.
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3. Explore the Dives dune and estuary
For nature lovers, we highly recommend walking eastwards to discover the mouth of the Dives. Here, a dune has formed on the Cabourg side.
A footpath takes you around this headland, with views of Houlgate, the river and pleasure boats.
It’s one of our favorite landscapes in Normandy.
- Free access
- Allow 30min
4. Admire the Belle-Époque villas
The towns on the Côte Fleurie, such as Deauville, Trouville, Houlgate, Villers-sur-Mer and Cabourg, are famous for their magnificent Belle-Époque villas.
Take the time to stroll through the streets and discover all the architectural details added to Norman houses by their owners: half-timbering, turrets, bow-windows, loggias, pilasters with Corinthian caps…
It’s one of the most beautiful towns in Normandy.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
5. Visit the Musée Villa du Temps Retrouvé
For fans of Marcel Proust, in his book“À la recherche du temps perdu“, the action takes place without the seaside resort of Balbec, which is the pseudonym of Cabourg. The writer stayed at the grand hotel and enjoyed the social life.
In one of the villas, you’ll find a museum with two exhibitions: one on Marcel Prouste and a temporary exhibition.
But above all, it’s a small interactive museum dedicated to the Belle Epoque, with furniture, costumes, paintings, videos, documents…
The interactive aspect is fun without overdoing it. At times, you might think you’re in a Harry Potter movie, as they’ve looped videos into photo frames…
- Opening hours: March to mid-November, daily except Tuesday, at least 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm
- Price: 9 euros
- See the latest news on the official website here
6. Historical hotels in Cabourg
If you’d like to spend a little more time in this beautiful city, you have several hotel options with very different atmospheres. We recommend you:
The Grand Hôtel de Cabourg, the Belle-Époque luxury hotel by the sea! – See prices, photos and availability
Hotel Le Castel, nestled in its own garden and with spa, close to the sea – See prices, photos and availability
Hôtel Château de la Bribourdière, in the surrounding countryside, in a peaceful setting just 10 minutes from the center of Cabourg – one of our favourites! – see prices, pictures and availability
See our article on the best hotels in Cabourg.
7. Visit Saint-Michel church
Everyone rushes to the seafront, but we recommend you also explore the back of town, with its surprising Saint-Lichel church.
Note its mix of architecture and colorful bell tower.
And inside, you’ll be amazed by the mix of historic and modern elements.
The foundation stone was laid in 1850, but with the rapid development of the seaside resort in the second half of the 19th century, it underwent numerous transformations and extensions. That’s why it’s so eclectic!
8. Discover French gastronomy
In the heart of Normandy, you’ll find great products.
Don’t miss out on good cheeses, cider and other local products.
Or let yourself be tempted by the city’s best restaurants.
Our favorite is Restaurant Symbiose, run by a chef and sommelier duo, with a cuisine full of flavor and finesse. We appreciated the sober choice of products, leaving room for the creativity that enhances them. Reservations essential .
Cabourg’s other best-known restaurant is Le Balbec in the Grand Hotel. You’ll enjoy a beautiful sea view and a decor that will take you back to the time of Proust.
WHERE TO STAY IN Normandy
We particularly appreciate staying in Normandy:
- Bayeux – our hotels selection
- Honfleur – our hotel selection
For more ideas, take a look at our article on the best places to stay in Normandy.
And if you already have an idea, take a look at our selections:
9. Cabourg with children: Aquilon park
If you’re coming with the family, there’s plenty to keep the kids busy too.
As well as the beach and its miles of sand, ideal for building castles, head for Parc de l’Aquilon.
There are children’s games and, in season, an accrobranche course (April to November) and children’s shows,
In summer, you can also enjoy mini-golf (on the seafront) and inflatable games on the beach.
10. Celebrating love: Cabourg-Mon-Amour festival and Valentine’s Day
Cabourg has chosen to define itself as the town of lovers, and of fraternity between peoples…
As you stroll along, you’ll discover words of love in different languages with the méridien de l’amour (installed in 2016): these are 104 nails anchored in the ground of the Promenade Marcel Proust, as well as 5 columns representing the 5 inhabited continents.
On all these media, you’ll discover different ways of declaring your love.
Cabourg also likes to deck itself out in its finest for Valentine’s Day.
And in June, the town hosts the Cabourg Film Festival, featuring films dedicated to love, romance and passion.
The same month, you can also discover the Festival Cabourg-Mon-Amour, a weekend of music and gastronomy.
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Explore the Cabourg area
Cabourg is in the Pays-de-Caux, a beautiful region with lots to see. Here’s a small selection in the immediate vicinity of Cabourg.
Dives-sur-Mer: Halles and William the Conqueror village
Dives-sur-Mer is one of our favorites.
The town is adjacent to Cabourg. It’s much less well known, but contains a masterpiece: a huge medieval hall still in use. It’s superb and impressive. Its framework rests on 66 oak pillars.
You’ll also find the Guillaume-Le-Conquérant village, a small group of half-timbered houses that used to be a post office for people passing through.
The Merville battery
In Merville-Franceville-Plage, you’ll find a combined battery and museum. This is one of the best German batteries to visit in the region(see our list). The bunkers withstood numerous bombardment assaults, and were captured with difficulty by the British 9th Parachute Battalion. You’ll find bunker scenes, a Douglas C-47 aircraft and other equipment.
An easy and fascinating excursion into the world of the Second World War.
Find out more in our dedicated article.
Houlgate villas and view from the Orientation Table
The other town adjacent to Cabourg is Houlgate. It’s just across the mouth of the Dives.
Here, too, you can enjoy a long sandy beach, beautiful villas and a casino.
We also recommend climbing up to the orientation table (accessible on foot or by car), for a view of both cities.
The Vaches-Noires cliffs
The beach and cliffs between Villers-sur-Mer and Houlgate are unlike any other in Normandy. I’m sorry our photos don’t do them justice.
This area is called “Black Cow Beach” because of the large boulders that have fallen onto the beach, resembling the black cows of the sea.
You have to walk on the sand from Villers-sur-Mer or from Houlgate.
But be sure to start before low tide, so you can return with your feet in the bag!
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Normandy
- Helicopter flight over the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre
- Book your time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
- Take a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- Climb the Via Ferrata in Switzerland Normandy
Other activities in Cabourg
Here’s a quick list of other Cabourg attractions, if you have other interests.
Discover the city on the little train
A little tourist train takes you around the town with a commentary: you’ll discover the villas, the seafront, the dune, the river and learn more about Proust and the Belle-Époque.
See a Horse Race
Just as in Deauville, horses and horse racing are an essential part of social life, both in the Belle-Époque and today.
Cabourg’s racecourse is not far from the town center.
But you’ll also find plenty of stud farms in the area, if you fancy a horse ride.
Water sports and activities
Between the sea and the river, you can also choose water sports around the city:
- Surf
- kitesurf
- Paddleboard
- Kayaking (at sea and on the Dives)
- Sailing boats
- …
Play at the Casino
Like every town in the region, Cabourg has its own Casino. So you can enjoy an evening of fun. Cabourg’s is typical of the Belle-Époque period.
But beware, the games are addictive, so watch out!
Is Cabourg worth a visit?
Yes, Cabourg is well worth a visit.
It offers a very different experience from Deauville, with its promenade and more reasonably sized villas. We love its very natural ambience, with its beautiful trees, waterfront and river.
Useful tips for visiting Cabourg
Where is Cabourg
- In the heart of Normandy, on the Côte Fleurie.
- Paris to Cabourg = 2h40 drive
- Rouen to Cabourg = 1h15
- Caen to Cabourg = 30 minutes
- Here’s a map to help you find your way:
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Cabourg is by car, as there is no train station in the town.
This gives you greater flexibility and makes it easy to explore the surrounding area with its many attractions.
See our tips for renting a car in France.
By public transport your options are:
- train to Cen, then 45-minute bus ride
- train to Deauville, then train to Dives-sur-Mer and cab or walk to Cabourg
Parking
In Cabourg, you’ll find everything from (fairly expensive) pay parking lots to free or paid street parking.
The further you go from the town center, the more spaces you’ll find – and free ones at that.
Please note that some parking lots only charge for parking at weekends or during the vacations.
How to visit
Cabourg is a very flat town. It’s very easy to explore on foot.
It’s also the perfect place for cycling!
How long: Cabourg in 1 day or a weekend
In 1 day, you can discover all the charm of the town of Cabourg.
- Start with a morning stroll along the seafront promenade and around the Dunes.
- Then discover the La Villa du Temps Retrouvé museum.
- Lunch at Restaurant Symbiose.
- Take a leisurely stroll through the town, admiring the villas.
- Then take time out to relax on the beach.
- And have fun at the Casino in the evening!
But we recommend spending a weekend there to really be inspired by its atmosphere and to combine it with the old center of Dives-sur-Mer.
This is one of our favorite seaside weekends in Normandy!
When to visit Cabourg
It’s a city that can be discovered all year round.
The waterfront offers beautiful light in all seasons, and the villas are as beautiful as ever, whatever the weather.
However, some attractions are closed between mid-November and the end of March, such as the museum, accrobranche, minigolf and some restaurants…
Cabourg is also a must-see destination for Valentine’s Day.
Cabourg in winter
We recommend a winter stay, to enjoy the romance of the city without all the tourists. The streets are quiet, you can feel the wind blowing, and enjoy snuggling up in the warmth after a stroll along the waterfront.
Weather conditions can vary from heavy rain to clear blue skies. But you’re almost sure to get wind.
It rarely snows in Cabourg, but it does happen.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
