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Houlgate

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City
—°17
Houlgate (France)
ℹ️

Practical info — Houlgate

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Take a walk to admire the numerous Belle Époque villas with their ornate architecture.
  • Check the tide times. At low tide, the beach is immense and first-rate for long walks.
  • For the best views and a bit of a hike, climb the Vaches Noires cliffs just east of town.
  • Parking in the centre can be difficult in summer. Make use of the car parks on the outskirts of town.
  • The town's main market is the best place to discover local Normandy produce.

🍽 Food

🍽
Moules-frites

Enjoy a bowl of mussels and fries at one of the many restaurants along the seafront promenade.

🍽
Cidre

Try the local Normandy cider. Look for artisanal 'cidre brut' (dry) or 'doux' (sweet).

🍽
Tarte Normande

Finish your meal with a slice of Normandy apple tart from a local patisserie.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Local Market

Visit the market for local produce, especially cheeses like Camembert or Livarot.

🛍
Rue des Bains

The town's main street, lined with small boutiques, souvenir shops, and food stores.

🧘
Promenade Roland Garros

A peaceful walking path along the top of the cliffs, offering impressive sea views.

🧘
Ends of the Beach

Walk to the far ends of the main beach to escape the crowds in the centre.

🧘
Casino Gardens

Behind the Casino are public gardens that offer a quiet spot to relax.

Houlgate is a distinguished resort on Normandy's Côte Fleurie, celebrated for its remarkably preserved 19th-century atmosphere. Often referred to as the 'Pearl of the Côte Fleurie', it features an exceptional collection of over 300 eclectic villas built during the Belle Époque. The Grand Hôtel and the beachfront Casino stand as grand reminders of the era when European aristocracy flocked to these shores. The town gives a more intimate and peaceful experience compared to its busier neighbors like Deauville. A major natural landmark is the 'Falaises des Vaches Noires' (Black Cows Cliffs), which stretch towards Villers-sur-Mer. These dark, vegetated cliffs are a world-renowned paleontological site, yielding numerous fossils from the Jurassic period. Walking at the base of the cliffs during low tide is a popular activity for amateur geologists. The wide sandy beach is convenient for sand yachting and kite surfing. The Roland Garros promenade provides a scenic walk with views of the Baie de Seine. Houlgate combines architectural heritage with natural wonders, making it a unique stop in the Calvados region.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C66810131618181614107
Rain mm796662455651556454859097

Live webcam – Houlgate

See what it looks like near Houlgate right now.

Houlgate · 0.5 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
1,927
Coordinates
49.30083, -0.07722

Facts

  • Home to over 300 preserved Belle Époque villas
  • Famous for the fossil-rich 'Vaches Noires' cliffs
  • Promenade named after aviator Roland Garros
  • The Grand Hôtel is a major architectural icon
  • Wide sandy beach perfect for sand yachting
  • Host of an annual European film festival
  • Located on the scenic Côte Fleurie in Normandy
  • Panoramic views from the 'Butte de Houlgate' hill

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Houlgate (17)

Houlgate📍 landmark

A seaside resort town on the Côte Fleurie in Normandy.

Manège Chaignon📍 landmark

A traditional merry-go-round (manège) in Houlgate.

Galerie Port Guillaume🏛 museum

An art museum located at the Port Guillaume harbor in Houlgate.

Le Sablier - Centre National de la Marionnette🎭 culture

The National Center for Puppetry in Houlgate.

Rétro-musée des Sapeurs-Pompiers🏛 museum

A museum of vintage firefighting equipment in Houlgate.

🕒 Sa 10:00-12:30

Plage de Houlgate🎡 recreation

A sandy beach along the Houlgate promenade on the English Channel.

Manoir Saint-Cloud🏰 castle

Manoir Saint-Cloud, a 16th-century manor house in Houlgate.

Église Notre-Dame⛪ religious

Église Notre-Dame, a medieval church in Dives-sur-Mer near Houlgate.

Halles de Dives📍 landmark

The Halles de Dives in Houlgate, built in the 14th century, are a heritage-listed covered market.

🕒 Sa 08:00-13:00

Château de Sarlabot🏰 castle

Château de Sarlabot, a castle set in a park in Houlgate.

Château Foucher de Careil🏰 castle

Château Foucher de Careil, a castle with a tower in Houlgate.

Temple⛪ religious

Neo-Gothic Protestant temple in the seaside resort of Houlgate, Normandy.

Lavoir🏺 historical

A historic public washhouse (lavoir) in Houlgate.

Saint-Aubin⛪ religious

Stone church with a tall spire in central Houlgate, dedicated to Saint Aubin.

Église Saint-Aubin🏺 historical

The Saint-Aubin church in Houlgate, built in the 15th century, is heritage-listed.

Batterie de Tournebride🏺 historical

The Batterie de Tournebride comprises ruins of a Second World War coastal battery in Houlgate.

Site naturel des Vaches Noires🌿 nature

The Vaches Noires natural site, chalk cliffs with fossils near Houlgate.

Frequently asked questions

What is Houlgate known for?
For its over 300 perfectly preserved Belle Époque villas and the spectacular 'Vaches Noires' cliff.
What are the 'Falaises des Vaches Noires'?
Dark, fossil-rich seaside cliffs that look like a herd of black cows when viewed from the water.
Is Houlgate beach suitable for children?
Yes, the fine sandy beach is shallow and provides kids' clubs and numerous activities in summer.
When does the film festival in Houlgate take place?
The 'Houlgate Plein Vent' festival usually takes place in spring, focusing on kite flying and wind culture.
Can you go hiking in Houlgate?
Yes, the GR 223 hiking trail goes along the cliffs towards Villers-sur-Mer and gives great views.
Houlgate: where is it located?
Houlgate is located in Normandie, France.
Houlgate: what is there to see?
Highlights include Houlgate, Manège Chaignon, Galerie Port Guillaume.
Houlgate: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Houlgate: why is it worth visiting?
Houlgate is a distinguished resort on Normandy's Côte Fleurie, celebrated for its remarkably preserved 19th-century atmosphere.
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