Cabourg is a famous seaside resort known for its sea bathing since 1855. Here, you will find numerous “Belle Époque” villas and a large promenade along the sea. Cabourg became famous thanks to the writer Marcel Proust who stayed there every summer from 1907 and included the city in his literary works. Also, many French films have been filmed in Cabourg and have added to its fame.
📚 Cabourg was, until 1850, a fishing village. It was here and in Dives-sur-mer that in 1066, William the Conqueror gathered more than 5,000 men to set out to conquer England. Much later, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, Cabourg became a very popular vacation spot for Parisians. Henri Durand-Morimbau discovered Cabourg in 1853 and transformed it into a seaside resort. After 20 years, around 150 villas with “Belle Époque” architecture had been built. The Belle Époque is a period in French history that began in 1871 and ended at the start of the First World War. It was at this time that the aristocracy became passionate about sea bathing and chose Cabourg for their summer residence.
Architecture in Cabourg
1. The Belle-Époque villa circuit
In the center of Cabourg, you can discover around thirty splendid Belle Époque villas. The tourist office has set up a circuit which will allow you to discover them. Indeed, between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, more than 150 majestic villas were built with very different styles: classic, Belle Époque, Norman, Flemish, Basque, medieval…
2. The Villa of Recovered Time
The Villa du Temps Recovered is a museum installed in the former Villa Bon Abri dating from 1860. This museum is dedicated to the writer Marcel Proust and the Belle Époque period.
Here, you will be able to understand the history of Cabourg from the Middle Ages to the present day and in particular its architectural, social and economic history. An animation on screen allows you to see archive images. You can admire period furniture and unique tapestries in the different rooms of the villa (games room, reception room, library, etc.). There are also works of art, films, photographs, sounds and costumes. Finally, don’t forget the garden.
⏰ Open from March 2 to November 11. From March to November: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. / In July-August: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admission 45 minutes before closing. Closed Tuesday and May 1st
💰 Self-guided tour: €9 full price, €7 reduced rate, Free for under 18s. Individual guided tours: €13 full price, €11 reduced rate, €4 for ages 6 to 18, Free for under 6s years
3. The Marcel Proust walk & the Meridian of Love
The Marcel Proust promenade is the longest in Europe and extends over 3.6 kilometers, from the dunes of Cap Cabourg to Home-Varaville beach. On one side, you will be able to observe splendid villas, and on the other, the seaside. The walk, in the name of the writer Marcel Proust, will allow you to admire the architecture of his favorite places: the Grand Hôtel and the Cabourg Casino. You will also see panels with extracts from his literary works.
Along the promenade, you can discover the Meridian of Love, created on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Cabourg film festival. It is materialized by 104 nails anchored in the ground and signed by the Paris Mint. But also by 5 columns each representing a continent and where the word love is expressed in the 104 official languages of the world.
4. The Grand Hotel & Casino
Located on the seaside, the Grand Hôtel de Cabourg and the casino were respectively built in 1861 and 1854. They are must-sees during your stay in Cabourg for their Belle Époque art deco architecture.
This 5-star luxury hotel is also known for having hosted the famous writer Marcel Proust in room 414 from 1907 to 1914. After the Second World War when the Germans occupied it, it was bought by the Accor group. Today, this Historic Monument is still a hotel that served as a setting for French films like Intouchables. The rooms offer views of the sea or the gardens.
5. Saint-Michel Church
The Saint-Michel church was built between 1849 and 1851 and represents 19th century architecture.
Nature in Cabourg
6. The beach and water activities
Cabourg beach stretches for 4 kilometers. Bordered by superb villas and a long pedestrian promenade, this fine sand beach is splendid. In summer, you can see the unique beach cabins and umbrella tents of Cabourg with their white and blue stripes. You must contact the Cabourg baths establishment to rent a deckchair, a beach cabin, a sun lounger, or a parasol. This beach is also suitable for families with its two Family Plus-certified beach clubs: trampolines, inflatable structures, fun activities, swimming lessons, etc.
Cabourg beach will take you east towards Cap Cabourg and its dunes or west towards Home-Varaville beach. On days with strong swells, Cabourg beach is covered in a misty blanket. I visited Cabourg in winter and I found the beach splendid with this mystical mist.
Finally, in summer, Cabourg beach offers many activities such as kitesurfing, sand yachting, coast sailing, horse riding, fishing, kayaking, towed buoys, paddle, water skiing, catamaran, windsurfing…
📍 For water activities, there are Cabourg Jet (https://cabourg-jet.com) and Le Menhir Normandie Kite (https://lemenhirnormandiekite. fr). The Croco Club, for its part, offers activities accessible from 3 to 15 years old. For horseback riding, go to the Pôle Equestre de Cabourg – La Sablonnière: https://www.pole-equestre-cabourg.fr
7. The dunes and marshes of Cap Cabourg and the Dives estuary
To the east of the Marcel Proust promenade, you will find the dunes and marshes of Cap Cabourg. This corner of wild nature is truly a must. Here you can observe the towns of Houlgate, Dives-sur-Mer and its estuary. The Dives estuary is subject to tides and is home to around 300 boats. In winter, with the mist, this place is sublime…
To discover the entire Dives estuary, board the Bac de la Dives for a 30-minute sea trip. The starting point is in the town of Dives sur Mer and is located at the Blue Chalet, near the sailing school. During this visit, you will even discover the beautiful town of Houlgate.
💰 Basic price: €9.50 (adult rate (over 12 years old)). Child rate: €6.00 (from 5 to 12 years old)
8. The gardens of Cabourg
In summer, you can enjoy the good weather and walk in the city’s small flowery parks. Among them, the Casino gardens with a children’s carousel and ice cream sellers, the Nylic square, the town hall gardens, the rose garden and the Aquilon park which has play areas for children.
Shopping and dining in Cabourg
9. Avenue de la Mer
“Avenue de la Mer”, pedestrianized in summer, is one of the busiest places in the city. This neighborhood is full of small shops, restaurants and cafés. It’s the perfect place to go shopping or eat ice cream.
10. The Cabourg market
You will find three markets: The Market Hall, the large market, and the night market which you can find either at the Market Halls or in the Halles de Cabourg parking lot.
⏰ Open in the morning on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open every day during school holidays. In July and August, Tuesday to Sunday. In summer, the night market takes place on Saturday evenings.
11. Dupont avec un thé
Since 1912, “Dupont avec un thé” has been the place to taste pastries, notably Proust’s famous madeleines.
What to do around?
- Houlgate
- Merville Franceville and the Orne estuary
- Dives-Sur-Mer
- Beuvron en Auge