From the spectacular cliffs of the Alabaster Coast to fresh fish and seafood in Normandy’s best foodie market – as recommended by our ferry experts
Veules les Roses seafront, cliff © Marie-Anaïs Thierry
Normandy combines a spectacular coastline, quintessential French villages, a great local food scene dominated by fresh fish and seafood, cheese and cider, and a history intertwined with the UK. From William of Normandy’s conquest on England in 1066 to the D-Day landings during the Second World War, Britain’s connections to this region go back a long way.
Our experts provide their recommendations for this wonderful region.
Must see beaches
Pontoons of the artificial harbour of Aromanches © Valentin Pacaut – The Explorers
Whether you’re looking for a bucket and spade day on a quiet beach away from the crowds, a dramatic coastal cliff-top walk, or to discover more about the WWII, there is a beach for you in Normandy.
Our experts recommend:
“Discover this secret beach in Sotteville-sur-Mer. Walking from the town, before the steps that lead down to the beach, take the farm track on the right and walk for almost one kilometre. Then, you’ll find a small path on the right with ropes to help you climb down. There you’ll find a beautiful little beach, perfect for peace and quiet.” Guilhem Ridel, DFDS Retail Manager Dieppe/Newhaven
“Take the stunning cliff walkthat follows the coastal path from Le Tilleul beach (also known as Antifer beach) to the cliffs of Étretat. Enjoy the lovely sea views along the way.” Sebastien Bonvalet, DFDS Commercial Experience Manager, Western Channel.
We recommend:
Immerse yourself in the events of D-Day with a visit to Gold Beach at Arromanches-les-Bains. At low tide you will see the remains of Port Mulberry, the artificial landing ports used during the invasion of France. Walk along the cliffs to Cap Manvieux for panoramic views over the town and the sea.
Must visit attractions
Veules-les-Roses Credit MrsBrown Pixabay
As one of France’s most beautiful villages, Veules-les-Roses is a must see on a trip to Normandy.Think traditional half-timbered houses, flower gardens, water mills alongside France’s smallest river, with a little wooden bridge crossing it, a village grocery store and cute restaurants that specialise in local oysters and fresh fish. Walk up to the top of the cliffs for views of the village and across the sea.
The oldest arboretum in France is located in the grounds of the medieval Château d’Harcourt, which dates back to the 12th century. You’ll find over 2,000 trees and 500 different species, some of which have been there since the arboretum was founded in 1826. Take a picnic and enjoy a shaded stroll around the grounds.
“For birdwatching, the Quiberville-sur-Mer estuary and wetlands is ideal for spotting coastal and migratory birds such as gannets, shags, oystercatchers, plovers, and sandpipers.” Guilhem Ridel, DFDS Retail manager Dieppe/Newhaven
Must eat and drink
Marché de Dieppe © B. Collier
Our expert Sebastien Bonvalet, Commercial experience manager Western Channel at DFDS, recommends:
Dieppe’s Saturday market is one of the most famous in Normandy and a key stop off for foodies. It features local producers selling seafood, fruit and veg, local cheeses and cider. Dieppe is particularly famous for its scallops, which can be brought fresh from the market.
conVives in Dieppe city centre is run by run by a young chef who focuses on fresh, seasonal products.”
Just 8km from Dieppe is the fantastic Restaurant La Gare Envermeu.”
While Guilhem Ridel, Retail Manager, DFDS Dieppe/ Newhaven recommends:
Bar Epicerie le Doris, Le Bourg-Dun, offers great value for money and en-route to / from the Quiberville-sur-Mer estuary and wetlands.
Coquilles Saint Jacques with asparagus
Getting there
Easily accessible by ferry: sail directly from Newhaven to Dieppe with DFDS, or from Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) or Le Havre with Brittany Ferries, or sail from Dover to Calais with DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries.
We recommend:
If travelling south from Calais, swap the motorway for the D940. It’s one of the most beautiful coastal drives in Europe, winding through the ‘Two Caps’ (Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez) with panoramic views back to the UK.
Cap Blanc Nez
Our expert recommends:
“Enjoy a coffee at sunrise, or a slice of pizza in summer while watching the sunset on the outside deck on Deck 7. Simple moments that make time on board special.” (DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe) Sebastien Bonvalet, DFDS Commercial Experience Manager, Western Channel.
Ways to save
- Book ferry travel in advance.
- Sail at off-peak times. Consider travelling mid-week, early morning or late at night.
- If travelling through Dover- Calais with your vehicle, you pay for the vehicle, not the number of passengers. Up to 9 passengers can usually travel on that ticket.
- Make the most of your Duty-Free allowance to fill your boot.
- Avoid the motorway tolls by taking the scenic route, you’ll see more of the country and save money.
- Many restaurants have fixed-price menus at lunchtime, these are a great way to try the local specialities at a great price.