One of the most fashionable beach resorts on the Côte de Nacre, Courseulles-sur-Mer lies where the Seulles River meets the English Channel. It is a popular stop for visitors touring the Normandy landing beaches and is closely linked to Canada’s involvement in D-Day.
Things to do in Courseulles-sur-Mer
To learn more about Courseulles-sur-Mer’s wartime history, visit the Juno Beach Centre, which marks the spot where 14,000 Canadian troops landed on 6 June 1944. Its exhibits detail life in Canada in the lead-up to World War II and the country’s contributions to the war effort, as well as how the events have impacted Canadian society in the decades since.
Stretching east of the Juno Beach Centre is Plage de Courseulles-sur-Mer, where you can swim and sunbathe in the summer months. During the holiday season, a section of the beach is patrolled by lifeguards and there’s a beach volleyball court available. Hugging the waterfront is a breezy promenade lined with whitewashed beach huts.
A short drive inland from Courseulles-sur-Mer is the Château de Fontaine-Henry, a magnificent Renaissance castle owned by the same family for the last 800 years. Join a guided tour to explore its lavishly decorated rooms, which house a fine collection of antique furnishings and paintings. Dotting the landscaped grounds are traditional games, plus a chapel dating back to the 13th century.
Getting around Courseulles-sur-Mer
Courseulles-sur-Mer is a 25-minute drive from Caen and 30 minutes from Caen-Carpiquet Airport, which has flights to destinations across France. Regular buses connect to Courseulles-sur-Mer and travel through the town. The centre of Courseulles-sur-Mer can easily be explored on foot.