Do you feel like relaxing or playing?
Whether at high tide or low tide, the beaches of Cotentin are always a great place for leisure activities, and there’s something for everyone!
Games on the beach, swimming, fishing, relaxing, watersports, thanks to the tides, there are so many possibilities, and the wind makes it all the more thrilling.
High tide is the ideal moment for sports such as swimming and diving. At low tide, the sea recedes to reveal a vast stretch of sand, creating a huge playground.
Swim in complete safety...
Lifeguards monitor the beaches in July and August
On the west coast
Siouville-Hague and Anse de Sciotot
This long sandy beach bordered by sand dunes is perfect for watersports. It is actually the most popular spot in Normandy. Here, you can go surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing with the best experts of the region.
Barneville-Carteret
The Plage de Barneville is sheltered from the Atlantic swell by the Channel Islands, and warmed up by the Gulf Stream. It is a very lively place in the summer, and the whole family will enjoy themselves.
The Plage de La Potinière goes back to the when sea bathing first became trendy. The blue and white beach huts are still here, as a witness to this era. This beach is ideal for relaxing, with fine sandy and rocks.
Port-Bail-sur-Mer
The seaside resort of Port-bail-sur-Mer sits opposite the Channel Islands. In the high season, the Cotentin Tourist Train takes visitors from this resort to Barneville-Carteret.
On the northern coast
Urville-Nacqueville
The huge sandy beach in Urville-Nacqueville has been the closest seaside resort to Cherbourg since the 1900s. There is a watersports centre here, in front of the Fort slipway. There is a wide range of watersports available, depending on what you’re looking for.
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, two beaches in the town
At Querqueville sandy beach, there is a wide range of sports activities on offer. There’s something for the whole family (play area, petanque pit, beach soccer). At low tide, there’s a paddling pool for the little ones.
Collignon is the town’s ultimate lively beach. This is where you need to come for kitesurfing, sailing, sand yachting, swimming, diving, relaxing or sea kayaking. In the summer, there’s children’s entertainment here.
Did you know?
The beaches of Barneville, Carteret, Port-Bail-sur-Mer, Siouville-Hague and Sciotot have all been awarded the Pavillon Bleu (blue flag) label.
The Pavillon bleu (blue flag) is an international environmental and tourism label that has been awarded annually since 1985 by Teragir to the towns and marinas who are committed to the environment.
