Mother-of-pearl Coast
Dunes and wide sandy beaches
Named for the pearlescent colour of its shallow waters, the Mother-of-Pearl Coast stretches from Ouistreham to Arromanches-les-Bains. This accessible coastline, fifty minutes from the gîte, offers wide sandy beaches, preserved dune systems and a quieter, more family-friendly atmosphere than the Côte Fleurie.
Arromanches is a must-see: the D-Day Museum tells the story of the remarkable Mulberry Harbour, whose concrete caissons can still be seen offshore. Courseulles-sur-Mer is a lively seaside resort ideal for swimming or hiring bicycles. Lion-sur-Mer and Luc-sur-Mer have charming town centres with excellent fish restaurants and a pleasant beach promenade.
Nature lovers will enjoy the dunes of Merville and the ornithological reserve at the mouth of the Orne estuary — peaceful walks well away from the main tourist sites, with beautiful evening light on the water.
A coastal cycle path connects the beaches — an excellent way to cover the whole stretch at your own pace in a day’s sporting excursion.