Cabourg combines a long coastline with a distinctive Belle Époque history. The 4 km sandy beach, the Promenade Marcel Proust and the town’s architecture offer different focal points for a stay. There is also a museum with collections that change seasonally, walks at the mouth of the Dives and summer trotting races. You can tailor your trip to whether you mainly want to spend time by the water, explore architecture or enjoy culture.
Beach, dunes and promenade
Cabourg’s sandy beach is 4 km long. The Promenade Marcel Proust measures 3.6 km and is considered Europe’s longest pedestrian promenade. It runs along the sea from the dunes of Cap Cabourg to Home-Varaville Beach. These two lengths describe different aspects of the coast: the beach and the seafront promenade.
The dunes are also part of the landscape: the dunes of Pointe de Cabourg are a refuge for numerous seabirds. Various activities are available on the beach, including swimming, longe-côte (coastal walking), beach volleyball, horseback riding, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and land sailing. The activities on offer may vary by season. If you want to plan your stay around a particular activity, it is worth taking the time of year into account.
Belle Époque architecture and Proust
A 1.5-hour walk through Cabourg offers an opportunity to discover the town’s Belle Époque architecture. The villas feature ornate balconies, bow windows and loggias, as well as ceramics, mosaics and colorful façades. The walk provides a specific timeframe for discovering these features in the townscape, without having to set aside a whole day.
The history of the present-day casino is also clearly dated: it was built in 1909. Marcel Proust spent every summer from 1907 to 1914 at the Grand Hôtel in Cabourg. This connection to the town’s history complements a look at the villas and makes the promenade’s name another point of reference if you want to discover Cabourg through its Belle Époque past.
Museum and seasonal events
The Villa du Temps retrouvé is an innovative museum space. Its significant collections include loans from major institutions that come to Cabourg for one or more seasons. The exhibitions therefore change with the seasons. The Villa also offers guided tours, children’s workshops, concerts and talks; some events are seasonal. If a particular date matters for your trip, check it in advance.
For a different focus, you can walk at the mouth of the Dives and see pleasure boats. Trotting races are held at Cabourg racecourse in summer, exclusively at night. Beach activities, seasonal museum events and summer night races therefore offer different ways to time your visit. Check the dates of the events that interest you most before your trip. When looking for a hotel in Cabourg, these interests can help you shape your stay around the experiences that matter most to you.
Discover more destinations: Barneville-la-Bertran, Castillon-En-Auge, Saint-Étienne-La-Thillaye, Touques, Le Désert, La Vespière, Englesqueville En Auge, Martigny-Sur-L'ante.
For the broader travel overview: Calvados.
