Where we are
Gouville-sur-Mer, Normandy
The village is situated half way down the west coast of the Normandy peninsular.
La Brocanterie and Mon Souvenir stand two minutes’ walk apart in a nearby hamlet 3 km from the village, 5km from the beach.
It’s an easy drive from the channel ferry ports of Cherbourg or Caen. Both Dinard airport and Rennes international airport are less than two hours away.
We’re well placed for many cultural outings in Normandy from the DDay Beaches to Mont Saint Michel. Neighbouring Brittany is an easy day trip for Saint Malo and Dinan.
Our village
Gouville-sur-Mer is a thriving village and ‘oyster capital’ of Normandy. It has all the usual amenities and a magnificent 6km long sandy beach.
You’ll enjoy the
- weekly market (twice weekly in July and August)
- fresh oysters and mussels direct from the local growers
- restaurant Les Flots Bleus
- boulangerie, artisan chocolatier, and boucher-charcutier
- supermarket
- helpful tourist office for booking events and activities
- easy bike hire from the local garage
- annual seafood festival in July
Also useful are the banks, post office, doctors surgery and the huge pharmacy.
This corner of Normandy is exceptionally family friendly and the number of summer activities at the beach and in the village is impressive.
There’s fun for all ages from sand castle competitions to sand yachting, horse riding to horses and carts, fishing on foot to skim boarding and 10 minutes away the most friendly golf club with lessons and fun competitions (with prizes!) for all ages.
Countryside meets the seaside
Getting here
Bring your own car on the ferry or channel tunnel. If flying into Paris, Dinard or Rennes hire a car.
www.carigami.fr will help you find what is available.
By road
French roads are generally well signposted, well maintained and not that busy (outside of peak weekends in summer).
- Cherbourg 1hr 05
- Caen 1hr 25
- Calais 4 hrs 40
- Paris centre 3 hrs 50
- Basel 8 hrs
- Heidelberg 8 hrs
Many of our visitors choose to arrive at Caen. However we also recommend coming through Cherbourg and taking the scenic coast road. It will only add 15 minutes to your journey. Alternatively come via Calais and you’ll cross the magnificent Pont de Normandie.
Ferry crossing times / Tunnel
Portsmouth / Cherbourg on the fast boat – 3 hrs fastest crossing (from May to September)
Portsmouth / Caen-Ouistreham – 6 hrs, big boat, cinemas, restaurants
Poole / Cherbourg – 41/2 hrs
Dover to Calais – 90 minutes, good choice of crossings,
Newhaven / Dieppe – 4 hrs
Dover / Calais – 90 minutes
Folkstone / Calais – 35 minutes
Airports
Dinard-Pleurtuit
Very small, delight to use, car hire, easy scenic roads 1 hr 50, 135km by road
Rennes-Saint-Jaques international
Becoming more popular, 155km, 2hrs
Deauville St Gatien
Flights from London City airport, 165km, 1hr 45
Paris-Charles de Gaulle
Major international airport, 361km, 3hrs 45
Flight info
City Jet – London City to Deauville
Ryan Air – London Stansted to Dinard
Trains
Nearest stations
Coutances (15 minutes drive) to Paris Gare St Lazare
Granville (35 minutes drive) to Paris Montparnasse
Visit the SNCF website for more information
We’ve had 25 years’ experience of travelling from Normandy by land, sea and air. Feel free to ask for help or advice.
