At low tide, the beach at Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer reveals both pebbles and sand. This provides a practical starting point for a stay where the coast, nature and architectural history offer different highlights.

Beach and swimming

There is a small children’s playground on the seafront promenade. Swimming follows a different timetable: at Plage-Baignade Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer, swimming in the sea or lake is supervised in summer. Check the exact supervision dates before your trip. Low tide and summer supervision answer different questions: one is about when the pebbles and sand are exposed, the other about when swimming is supervised.

Lighthouse and coastal history

Today’s Phare d’Ailly is a square tower built from Mignac stone and granite. It was commissioned in 1958 and listed as a Monument Historique in November 2010. A different point in time is marked on the beach, where a World War II blockhouse still stands; it toppled in 1993. These dates mark different events—the lighthouse’s commissioning and listing, and the blockhouse’s fall. The square layout, Mignac stone and granite describe the building’s design, while its listing as a Monument Historique adds recognition of the lighthouse’s historical significance. At Phare d’Ailly, architecture and heritage come together.

As a rule, Phare d’Ailly is not open to visitors. However, the municipality of Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer occasionally organises guided tours, particularly on European Heritage Days. If you plan to visit for a tour, check local announcements.

Forest and wetlands at Cap d’Ailly

The Cap d’Ailly area includes mature pine forest, deciduous woodland, Atlantic wet heathland and a network of ponds. It is also home to numerous protected species. The Espace Naturel Sensible du Cap d’Ailly covers 60 hectares and has exceptional landscape, fauna and flora. The forest, wet heathland, ponds and protected species offer distinct nature experiences alongside the coastal and cultural attractions.

The “De la plage au Cap d’Ailly” route passes through Bois de l’Ailly, one of the area’s three Espaces Naturels Sensibles. On the way through Cap d’Ailly, sections pass numerous temporary ponds and go through woods of oak, chestnut, holly, beech, aspen and pine. The coastal section of the same route follows the GR21 for about 1.5 kilometres. Please observe local safety signs near the cliffs.

The Espace Naturel Sensible covers an area of 60 hectares, while the approximately 1.5 kilometres refers to the coastal section of the route. The size of the nature area and the length of the coastal stretch are therefore two distinct points of reference.

Discover more destinations: Mailleraye Sur Seine, Ancretteville-sur-Mer, Guilmécourt, Varengeville-Sur-Mer, Muchedent, Yport, Saint-Laurent-de-Brèvedent, Jumièges

For the broader travel overview: Seine-Maritime.