An inspiring destination for Marcel Proust, Cabourg invites you to escape for a weekend or a longer stay in Normandy. The Côte Fleurie awaits you, and with it the promise of a pleasant break in the heart of Calvados. Planning a weekend in Normandy? Include this destination in your list of must-sees and must-do's in Normandy during your stay. Let yourself be carried away by a beach getaway, let yourself be overwhelmed by the emotion of a sunset... This little paradise is ideal for a relaxing break, with its enchanting landscapes just waiting for you. With Petit Futé, discover the 15 must-see activities in Cabourg.
1. The Marcel Proust Promenade
Marcel Proust is a must-see in Cabourg, as he often stayed at the Grand Hôtel in search of the inspiration the town provided. As a result, there are many evocations of this great writer in Cabourg.
During a stay in this pretty corner of Normandy, you can't help but appreciate the 3.6 km Promenade Marcel Proust, Europe's longest pedestrian promenade. The view of the sea is superb, offering breathtaking panoramas. Along the way, you can admire the Méridien de l'Amour, a symbolic place where the word "Amour" has been translated into 104 different languages. It's a pleasant place to be during the day, but even more so at sunrise or sunset... A magical moment guaranteed!
2. Cabourg, typical Norman architecture
Witness to the Belle Époque, Cabourg still boasts many villas of yesteryear with typical Norman charm. The half-timbered houses in the town center boldly blend colors and old-world architecture, creating an astonishingly eclectic mosaic. We invite you to follow the Circuit des Villas organized by the town. It will enable you to learn more about this bygone era, whose traces are still very much with us today, like witnesses to the past just waiting to tell us their story.
One of the most beautiful residences is the Villa du Temps Retrouvé, to which we'll return in more detail later. Unique architecture, vivid colors, half-timbered walls, ornamental designs... You'll never tire of discovering these superb houses of yesteryear, during a leisurely stroll.
Book your guided bike tour of Cabourghere to discover its history through period photos and anecdotes, and understand its evolution.
3. Discover Cabourg on the little train
Come aboard Cabourg's little tourist train! It's a fun way to visit the town, and one that children will love. It can even be privatized for special occasions, such as a wedding or an EVJF. For 45 minutes, you'll discover this pretty corner of the Côte Fleurie at your leisure. It's also a great opportunity to spot plenty of places to visit during the rest of your stay!
The icing on the cake the little train is glazed, so you can enjoy the visit and the view, without the inconvenience of cold, wind or rain.
Open every day in July and August, as well as at weekends and during the summer vacations, it departs from the town hall. A pleasant, low-cost and instructive visit: the perfect way to spend some quality family time during a stay in Cabourg!
4. Enjoy Cabourg beach
Cabourg beach stretches for 4 kilometers along the Promenade Marcel Proust. The best times to visit are at sunrise or sunset. The hue of the sky against the sea is breathtaking! Nicknamed "the beach of romantics", it offers an enchanting setting with its pastel-colored sand changing with the seasons. From the beach at Cabourg, you can enjoy an exceptional panorama of the Côte Fleurie. Magical views stretch from the Côte de Nacre to the Côte Fleurie, featuring coastal towns such as Ouistreham, Deauville and Le Havre, in the company of seabirds.
5. Play miniature golf at Cabourg
Cabourg's Miniature Golf Course offers great family fun on the seafront. You'll find an 18-lane course on a 2500m² plot of land: a huge open-air playground! The decor has been designed to make the experience even more enjoyable. The course is decorated with emblematic miniature monuments such as the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramid of Cheops, to name but a few. Let yourself be transported around the world as your ball travels along this unique course!
The mini-golf course is open to children aged 5 and over, promising a fun-filled family experience. There's also a café and a solarium, offering a complete experience designed to help you spend a pleasant moment.
Good to know: as the price of the course is not very high, it's an ideal family outing for those on a tight budget.
6. Visit the pretty church of Saint-Michel
In 1849,architect Michel Pelfresne set about building Cabourg's Saint-Michel church. Over the decades, the church has undergone a number of repairs and extensions, giving it its present-day appearance. Large bays, pointed arches, cross-arches and colorful stained glass windows are a feast for the eyes.
The bell tower, replaced in 1927 by an Anglo-Norman model, adds a touch of history and charm to this must-see building if you're spending a weekend in Cabourg.
7. Relax in a thalasso center
Visit Thalazur for a moment of pure relaxation! The establishment incorporates a hotel, but it's also possible to enjoy treatments only, if you're already staying elsewhere. Between a sauna and a hammam, treat yourself to a massage for complete relaxation. Seawater treatments are also available, as are women's treatments. Slimming cures, beauty days, relaxation treatments: there's something for every taste and every desire for zenitude. The location of the thalasso center, facing the beach, makes it an ideal place for a wellness break.
Looking for the perfect place for a romantic weekend away? You've found it! Special weekend packages are also available.
8. A sand yacht ride on the beach
Want to try your hand at sailing without the risk of falling overboard? Say goodbye to windsurfing, and make way for sand yachting! Sand yachting is a water sport that uses a wheeled vehicle fitted with a sail to move along the beach, propelled by the wind.
For 2 hours, the sand yacht school lets you have fun on the beach in light winds, but still enough to have a great time. This outdoor activity, accessible from the age of 10, is truly out of the ordinary. It's ideal for a fun-filled time with friends or family. Don't worry: sand yachting is only available at low tide, and only if the weather conditions are favorable!
9. Les Halles du Marché, stocking up on regional produce
It's time to sample the local produce! Head for the Halles du Marché, where a host of producers offer you their local produce. Meat, fish, local specialities, fruit and vegetables, cheeses: you'll find everything you need for a delicious meal! Exhibitors are on hand all year round from 8am to 1pm, on :
- wednesday
- friday
- saturday,
- sunday.
On Wednesdays and Sundays, outdoor traders are also present. It's great to take the time to stroll around and discover the local produce. Don't hesitate to talk to the shopkeepers, who can give you some interesting cooking tips!
10. Cabourg racecourse, a horse-racing paradise
Why not take advantage of your vacations to go and see a horse race? Whether you're an experienced amateur or a beginner, the Cabourg racecourse is ideal! Numerous races and shows are organized throughout the year. Take a look at the racecourse calendar. In summer, the Estivales de Cabourg offers a wide range of events. The program includes festive and sporting races, offering a mix of high-level events and free entertainment. You'll be able to watch competitions, while enjoying a pleasant atmosphere that combines music, relaxation and gastronomic delights.
You don't have to be an equine pro to enjoy this enriching experience. On the contrary, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
11. Horseback riding on the beach
The Pôle Equestre de Cabourg - La Sablonnière offers you the chance to make a dream come true: a ride on horseback along the beach. A pure moment of enchantment for a romantic outing! Children will also love this unusual ride, which will put stars in their eyes. On the sand, hooves in the waves, the horse moves quietly along, adapting to the needs of a serene ride. Whether you're used to horses or not, you'll have a great time, perfectly supervised. It's also possible to book an outing to Cabourg's marshes, for a change of pace and to see a less touristy part of the town than the beach. Both outings can be organized over the course of a week, so you can discover the area in an original way!
12. Visit the Villa du Temps Retrouvé
Back in the footsteps of Marcel Proust: we promised! The Villa du Temps Retrouvé is a unique museum that transports visitors back to the effervescence of the Belle Époque. What marked this era? Artistic creativity, and it's in the spotlight here! You'll plunge into the daily life of this golden period in Cabourg and on the Côte Fleurie. As you explore, you'll be able to admire genuine cultural treasures on loan from illustrious institutions, including works by Claude Monet and Edgar Degas.
Of course, Marcel Proust also plays a key role in this cultural mecca. Permanent and temporary exhibitions immerse you in this sumptuous era. A must-see in Cabourg!
13. Water sports, for fun in Cabourg
Although the water isn't warm in Normandy, you can still enjoy the sea! From towed buoys to giant paddles and wakeboarding, there's something for everyone. Water skiing and flyboarding are also popular activities, offering maximum thrills. Want to try your hand at kite surfing? Le Menhir Normandie Kite is just waiting for you for a moment of pure pleasure! Cabourg has also thought of its youngest visitors with the Croco Club, whose fun activities are accessible to ages 3 to 15.
In short, Cabourg offers outdoor activities for the whole family! There's no need to take a dip in the cool waters, when there are so many activities on offer to help you have a great time.
14. A go-kart race at the Cabourg circuit!
Make the engines roar and feel the adrenalin rush on the Circuit de Cabourg, Normandy's premier go-karting track, with its impressive 900-meter track. Behind the wheel of your kart, get ready for an unforgettable experience. Challenge your friends or family to a frantic competition! This venue, accessible from age 7, is a karting enthusiast's paradise, offering a spacious track to satisfy your thirst for speed. If you're looking for an adventure filled with thrills and competition, the Circuit de Cabourg is the place to be!
15. Enjoy local activities and festivities
Numerous cultural and festive events are organized throughout the year in Cabourg. The best known is surely the Festival Cabourg Mon Amour, held every year on the Cap Cabourg beach. A great opportunity to dance the night away in an enchanting setting! You can also attend the Festival du Film Romantique, in June. Love and emotion are the focus of this 5-day festival.
Suitable for the whole family (and in a completely different vein), you can also take part in the Clue Hunt in Cabourg: a thrilling adventure for young and old alike!
What to see in Cabourg in 1 day?
Start at the Jardins du Casino, a good starting point for accessing the various points of interest. From there, head for the Marcel Proust Promenade! You'll not only enjoy an emblematic stroll, but also a beautiful view of the sea. Take the opportunity to admire the Grand Hôtel, the famous establishment that hosted Marcel Proust when he came to Normandy to recharge his batteries and find inspiration. Before heading off for lunch (possibly at the Grand Hôtel), head for the mini-golf course, which will delight young and old alike. It's lunchtime! Among Cabourg's good addresses, we can name Le Bouche à Oreille, among others, as there are many good restaurants in Cabourg.
In the afternoon, discover the town's Belle Époque villas: a splendor not to be missed! On the same theme, you can follow up with a visit to the Villa du Temps Retrouvé. It doesn't take long to visit this coastal town, so take your time... Savor the moment, you won't regret it!
What to do in Cabourg when it rains?
When it's raining in Cabourg, there are plenty of things to do to make the most of this charming Normandy seaside resort, without letting the bad weather put you off. For a cultural immersion experience, visit the Villa du Temps Retrouvé, where art, fashion and lifestyle from this fascinating era come together. Cabourg is also rich in history, so don't hesitate to discover its heritage by visiting the church of Saint-Michel on a rainy day.
Shopping enthusiasts can head to the Les Jardins de la Mer shopping center to find unique items and souvenirs. Is the rain getting really insistent? Doesn't want to let go? Take advantage of your getaway to relax with a good book, a cup of tea, or a moment of well-being at the spa. If it's raining in the morning, you can also wait out the bad weather at Les Halles du Marché, most of which is held indoors.
To remember : the little tourist train is glazed, so you can enjoy it in any weather.
Family activities in Cabourg
Normandy is one of the top destinations to visit with the whole family in 2023. So, what's there to see and do? A stroll along the Promenade Marcel Proust is a great way to spend some time with the kids. You may not be able to do the full 3.6 km, but that's okay. It's a good opportunity to stop off at the beach for a while, to make sandcastles, swim (weather permitting) and indulge in a few water sports.
Cabourg is also a "Famille Plus" (Family Plus) destination, offering visitors the chance to go on an adventure with a treasure hunt. Among the 11 towns participating in this initiative, Cabourg stands out by offering a quest to find the lost page of writer Marcel Proust. It's a unique opportunity for budding detectives to have fun, while exploring the town. Of course, you can't miss the little tourist train when visiting the town with children.
What to do in Cabourg for two?
We'll come back to this, but of course a romantic stroll hand-in-hand along the Promenade Marcel Proust is just the thing. Even more so if you do it at suns et! How about a cocooning moment at the spa? Sauna, hammam, massage... the perfect place to unwind in a cosy atmosphere! Ideally, you'll be staying at a Thalazur hotel, so you can enjoy this atmosphere throughout your stay. Want to immerse yourself in the cabourge atmosphere? Why not set down your bags at the Grand Hôtel, just like our beloved Marcel Proust! You'll also find a romantic restaurant, Le Balbec, a must-try!
In a completely different style, you can share in the adventures of a sand yacht. Laughter, good humor and great memories guaranteed! Or consider a horseback ride along the Cabourg beach... It's the perfect moment to get away from it all, and create an enchanting moment that's 100% magical and resolutely romantic.
So, have you been won over by your little trip to Cabourg? Now all you have to do is discover the many other treasures of Normandy. From Deauville to Caen, via Honfleur, you're spoilt for choice. The port of Honfleur is one of the must-see sites in Normandy during a trip to the region. And don't forget to sample the cider, camembert and other delights that Normandy has to offer. And, of course, a nod to Marcel Proust: madeleines are snapped up like hotcakes in Cabourg!
