A short drive from the Channel ports, this modern site is a good choice for easy weekends away

Holiday home owners are made so welcome at Côte de Nacre that they even have their own, purpose-built corner of the park, close to all the attractions, but comfortably away from the crowds.

This bright, leisurely park is close to mile after mile of flat, sandy beaches, gently rolling Normandy countryside and fascinating port towns, such as the belle-epoch resort of St Aubin-sur-Mer. The breezy coastal theme continues within this well-run park, with its nautical restaurant and excellent swimming pools.

This is a park for those who seek the convenience of a holiday home which feels intensely French, but can easily be reached within a day's drive from the UK.

The park is popular with families during the summer, and hosts a good programme of day and night entertainment - you can join in as little or as much of this as you want, safe in the knowledge that you have your peaceful, exclusive enclave to return to each evening. The best of both worlds? Oui.

 

Some facilities are mid-summer only and some are payable

Dining

Restaurant:  Light and airy with a beach theme, family friendly and with an outdoor tertace
Take-away meals
Bar:  Friendly, family run bar, near the swimming pool

shopping

Basic assortment

Swimming

Life guard in July and August. Sun terrace, sun loungers available.
First Pool: For all the family – heated, with a retractable roof.
Second Outdoor Pool: For all the family and it is heated
Third Outdoor Pool: For all the family and it is heated
Fourth Pool: An indoor pool for children with a retractable roof
Fifth Outdoor Pool: A plunge pool with 1 twisty water chute and 3 quite fast waterslides

Activities

Basketball
Badminton
Cycle Hire
Table Tennis
Volleyball
Football

Other Services

Washing machines
Clothes dryer
Internet access available

The famous D-Day landing beaches are only a short drive away as is the historic town of Bayeux, home to the famous tapestry and much more besides, including some first-rate bakeries, charcuteries and delicatessens.

Another reminder of Normandy's rich and colourful past is the resort of Luc-sur-Mer, with its grand seafront villas and stylish casinos.

Museum lovers will be spoiled for choice here - with vehicle museums, Chateaux, World War II collections and galleries galore but if Normandy's famous for anything, it's this region's love of food. Norman recipes love to make use of local dairy produce and apples, and its cheeses are world famous, especially creamy Camembert. Finish off your meal with a glass of Normandy cider or Calvados apple brandy.

 

Activities

Abseiling: 25km
Boat trips: 10 km
Climbing : 25km
Cycle hire: 4 km
Canoeing: 15km
Golf course: 15km
Horse riding: 2 km
Karting: 15km
Pedalo: 60 km
Quad Bikes: 90km
Sailing: 1 km
Scuba diving: 30km
Tennis: 500metres
Windsurfing: 4 km

Shopping

Nearest town: St Aubin sur Mer 500 metres
Nearest pharmacy: 500 metres
Nearest supermarket: 5km

Towns to visit

Honfleur 83km
Mont St Michel 140km
Second World War landing beaches 18km
Lisieux Basilica 79km
Caen Memorial 10km
Arromanches 15km
Deauville/Trouville 51km
Luc sur Mer 5km
Bayeaux 28km
Cabourg 32km

Attractions

Aquarium Vivarium de Trouville 
600m2 of exhibition floor space. Over 70 tanks representing sea life from around the world. Also animals and insects from the world’s rainforests. There is also a gift shop.

Festyland
Leisure park for all ages. There are rides for smaller children and families. A Viking battle is held every day in July and August. Free parking. Souvenir shop and a variety of restaurants.

Vehicle Museum
The museum has on display over 100 prestigious and vintage cars from 1898 to 1950. There are over 5000 models of cars.

Zoo Jurques
Zoo set in 10 hectares of land. Many species of animals and you can watch as the animals are fed.

Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the Norman Conquest. It is over 900 years old and is 70 metres long with 58 different episodes.

Le Château de Henry Fontaine
13th Century Château which has been preserved as a family home. Architectural styles are Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical. A magnificent collection of Renaissance paintings, porcelain and furniture are on display.

Musée de Normandie
This museum opened to the public in 1963 and focuses its collections on the following: the History of Normandy, archaeology and ethnography.

Château de Creully 
Château de Creully became a VIP overnight House during WWII after Montgomery captured it. The château can be visited by private arrangements. Close by is Creully castle which is another fascinating place to visit.

Museum of the Atlantic Wall
The museum is situated in a Fire Control bunker which overlooked the 'sword' landing beach. The museum tells the story of the Atlantic wall defences along the Normandy coastline. The museum has recreated what the bunker would have looked like in 1944, with original equipment and uniforms on display.

Musee du Debarquement
The museum has a mission to tell younger generations about the events of 6th June 1944. Created in 1953, it is built on the site of the artificial harbour. Guided tours are available.

Le Mémorial de Caen
The Caen Memorial was born out of an idea to create a place reflecting on world wars. The museum places the emphasis on emotions of war. There is a park where you can stroll around. Interactive data terminals. Video and book shop. Restaurant, bar and gift shop. Free Parking. Around half a million visitors each year.

local events

The people of Normandy take their eating very seriously and its cheeses are world famous, with Camembert being the most well-known. Try the regional seafood specialities of sole normande (fish poached in cider and cream) and sole à la dieppoise (fish in dry cider and shallots), or for the more adventurous, sample the oysters of Courseulles. Tarte Normande (apple tart with flambéed Calvados and fresh cream) is a favourite local dessert.

Mont St Michel is a Gothic monastery and fortress set above a medieval village on a granite mound which offer views that are outstanding. Until the 19th Century it could only be reached at low tide until the causeway was built. The streets below the Abbey get extremely busy in high season. They are packed with souvenir shops and restaurants.

HOW TO GET THERE

With airports at Paris and Dinard, fly drive is an option or for those preferring to drive, choose the channel tunnel, or ferries to Calais, Caen or Cherbourg

airport

Dinard 188km
Paris Beauvais 231km

Ferry port

Caen 18km
Calais 359km
St Malo 185km
Cherbourg 136km