THE REGION
Discover Houlgate and the surrounding area
Located in the Normandy region, the town of Houlgate and its surrounding area is one of the few places where rich, ancient history rubs shoulders with raw, untamed nature. Wide open spaces, breathtaking panoramas, historic walks, gourmet visits... All good reasons to come and recharge your batteries
in a region that's sure to provide you with an unparalleled travel experience!
in a region that's sure to provide you with an unparalleled travel experience!
Discover houlgate
Beaches and coastline
With its privileged geographical location along the Normandy coast, Houlgate offers you the chance to enjoy all the charms of this friendly, family-oriented seaside resort on a human scale. A place to relax for some, a playground for others, its long sandy beach offers a gentle breath of sea air. Sea lovers can try their hand at a wide range of activities: kayaking, stand-up paddling, kitesurfing... and even kite flying! Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of a 6 km-long beach at low tide, a source of delight for all walkers. This is also where you'll find one of Normandy's wildest spots: the Vaches Noires cliffs. Listed by the French Ministry of the Environment since 1995, they are unique and incomparable! It's true! The cliffs are the result of a paleontological landslide dating back to the very beginning of the earth's history. Fossil traces dating back over 150 million years can even be found here today! Incredible, isn't it? Last but not least, we haven't forgotten those in search of sand castles and idleness. The Normandy coastline also offers something to satisfy your more tranquil desires for relaxation and bathing, in this still wild and unspoilt landscape.
History & Heritage
Houlgate is also a must-see for its medieval past and preserved seaside heritage. The town has preserved its authenticity over the centuries, and is a delight to stroll around and discover its many buildings of great architectural beauty. To start your visit to the town, you can stop off at the Maison des Pêcheurs, the Moulin Landry or the Guillaume le Conquérant column, all of which bear witness to the town's medieval past. Then, continue your escapade on the Houlgate villas circuit. A veritable open-air museum. This self-guided tour of 41 19th-century villas takes you on a journey through the streets and through time. For all you insatiable travelers who don't want to miss a thing during your visit to Houlgate, there are also a number of guided tours available on reservation from the tourist office.
Wellness
Would you like to take advantage of your next vacation to recharge your batteries?
to the full? Houlgate is also a unique destination for a wellness break.
In a soothing setting where Mother Nature is particularly generous, settle down on the long sandy beach
on its long sandy beach to recharge your batteries. No
boredom, as the "Spa Deep Nature" spa and wellness center in the heart of the
600m2 spa and wellness center at the heart of the Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence
a wide range of treatments for a relaxing stay. Your
body and mind will thank you!
to the full? Houlgate is also a unique destination for a wellness break.
In a soothing setting where Mother Nature is particularly generous, settle down on the long sandy beach
on its long sandy beach to recharge your batteries. No
boredom, as the "Spa Deep Nature" spa and wellness center in the heart of the
600m2 spa and wellness center at the heart of the Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence
a wide range of treatments for a relaxing stay. Your
body and mind will thank you!
A festive and varied program
Cinema, library, cultural events, concerts, reading and theater festivals, photo rallies for young and old, nature workshops, local produce days, conferences, heritage days... Whatever the season, the town of Houlgate guarantees a festive and friendly atmosphere all year round. And that's not all! In addition to its ideal setting and indisputable historical heritage, Houlgate hosts a number of exhibitions and events every year that are eagerly awaited throughout the region, such as Houlgate Plein Vent (a festival celebrating wind and water sports), and the European Film Festival in October. As you can see, when it comes to culture, the town doesn't lag behind!
Things to see and do in the area
The Côte fleurie
Located in the Calvados region of Lower Normandy, from Cabourg to Honfleur, the Côte Fleurie is, without pretension, the little nugget of Normandy's coastline. Lively seaside resorts, eccentric villas, lush green countryside and a wild coastline with long golden sandy beaches... all this awaits you just two hours' drive from Paris. Not to be missed are the towns of Cabourg (4 km from Houlgate), the famous Deauville (14 km), tranquil Villers-sur-Mer (7 km), verdant Blonville-sur-Mer (10 km) and beautiful, colorful Honfleur (33 km), a source of inspiration for many artists. Let yourself be charmed by the allure of these towns with their thousand and one treasures. I promise, you won't regret it!
The Pays d'Auge
Located in the hinterland of the Calvados region, the Pays d'Auge offers another facet of the region. While the coastline is laced with beaches, cliffs, seaside resorts and small ports, the hinterland is made up of green hills, atypical timber-framed houses and a rich local terroir.
Cider lovers beware! We invite you to discover the Pays d'Auge cider route. It passes through numerous villages within a 30 km radius of Houlgate, including : Cambremer, Beuvron-en-Auge, Beaufour, Bonnebosq, Grandouet, Rumesnil, Victot-Pontfol, St Aubin-Lebizay, La Roque Baignard, Druval, Crevecoeur en Auge... In addition to tasting a wide range of local products (cider, calvados, pommeau, perry, jams, honey...), you'll be able to soak up the authentic and varied landscapes. If the length of your stay allows it, why not take a detour to the beautiful, typical villages of Beaumont-en-Auge and Pont l'Evêque. You'll be amazed!
Cider lovers beware! We invite you to discover the Pays d'Auge cider route. It passes through numerous villages within a 30 km radius of Houlgate, including : Cambremer, Beuvron-en-Auge, Beaufour, Bonnebosq, Grandouet, Rumesnil, Victot-Pontfol, St Aubin-Lebizay, La Roque Baignard, Druval, Crevecoeur en Auge... In addition to tasting a wide range of local products (cider, calvados, pommeau, perry, jams, honey...), you'll be able to soak up the authentic and varied landscapes. If the length of your stay allows it, why not take a detour to the beautiful, typical villages of Beaumont-en-Auge and Pont l'Evêque. You'll be amazed!
The landing beaches
Just 30 km from Houlgate, from Utah to Sword Beach, millions of visitors flock to Normandy every year to visit the unavoidable D-Day beaches, with their share of testimonies to this decisive episode in the liberation of France on June 6, 1944. Whether you're a history buff or not, the visit will be an emotional highlight, and will enable you to learn more about this defining moment in French history. Other well-known WWII sites include the Caen Memorial, the Atlantic Wall Museum, military cemeteries, the port of Arromanches and Sainte-Mère-Eglise.
Gastronomy and markets
It's impossible to be disappointed by Norman gastronomy. From camembert to livarot
livarot, scallops, cider or calvados, you'll find everything you need to delight your palate. If you like to enjoy the warm atmosphere of the markets and seize the opportunity to talk to the many local producers in the region, we recommend that in addition to the Houlgate market, which takes place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, you visit some of the markets in the surrounding area, which are truly typical of Normandy: Dives- sur-Mer (3 km), Pont l'Evêque (22 km) or Caen (30 km).
livarot, scallops, cider or calvados, you'll find everything you need to delight your palate. If you like to enjoy the warm atmosphere of the markets and seize the opportunity to talk to the many local producers in the region, we recommend that in addition to the Houlgate market, which takes place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, you visit some of the markets in the surrounding area, which are truly typical of Normandy: Dives- sur-Mer (3 km), Pont l'Evêque (22 km) or Caen (30 km).
Medieval sites in Calvados
Expanding the scope of the historical and architectural register, we invite you to follow in the footsteps
less than an hour's drive from Houlgate, we invite you to follow in the footsteps of the lords and visit their stone heritage. Calvados is brimming with unmissable medieval sites of incredible architecture, whose tales and legends will stir the imaginations of young and old alike. Here are just a few of the sites steeped in myth and history: the Château Ducal de Caen, the Abbey aux Hommes, the Abbey aux Dames and the Château de Crèvecœur.
less than an hour's drive from Houlgate, we invite you to follow in the footsteps of the lords and visit their stone heritage. Calvados is brimming with unmissable medieval sites of incredible architecture, whose tales and legends will stir the imaginations of young and old alike. Here are just a few of the sites steeped in myth and history: the Château Ducal de Caen, the Abbey aux Hommes, the Abbey aux Dames and the Château de Crèvecœur.