Houlgate

Houlgate is a seaside resort in Calvados, on Normandy's Côte Fleurie, situated between Cabourg and Deauville. Its fine sandy beach, one of the widest along the Normandy coast, stretches beside a seafront lined with period villas built in the Belle Époque style, a legacy of the area's 19th-century tourist boom. A boardwalk runs along the beach, ideal for strolling, while the casino and covered market bring life to the town centre. Nearby, the Vaches Noires cliffs form a well-known geological site renowned for their fossils, popular with coastal walkers and amateur palaeontology enthusiasts. The mild oceanic climate makes the destination pleasant in spring and summer, with typical seaside activities on offer such as swimming, thalassotherapy, tennis, golf and watersports. Its proximity to towns like Deauville, Trouville and Cabourg allows visitors to combine a beach holiday with exploring Normandy's heritage, from stud farms to local markets and rolling countryside. Houlgate retains a quiet, residential character, away from the busier atmosphere of some neighbouring resorts, making it a popular choice for a peaceful seaside break.