Come to Normandy in Cœur de Nacre
Normandy dday landing beaches groups : Travel agents, tour operators, schools or simply a large family, walking enthusiasts or a family…?
This article provides all the practical information you need to organize a trip for a group or school class to Normandy, close to Caen and Bayeux.
Cœur de Nacre Tourisme assists tour operators, teachers, and group leaders in planning trips to the D-Day beaches, water sports activities, gastronomic experiences, and Normandy heritage sites.
Whether you are planning a school trip, a themed group trip, a club or sports meeting, or a seminar with your works council, our team is at your disposal to help you design a tailor-made program.
Groupe contact
Crédit : Yvon Bosquet
Nancy Picot
Tourism Promotion Officer
Presentation
⛵ To the rhythm of the tides
- 12 km of fine sandy beaches on the Normandy coastline,
- 5 lively family seaside resorts : Courseulles-sur-Mer, Bernières-sur-Mer, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Langrune-sur-Mer, and Luc-sur-Mer,
- Fish market and fishing port in Courseulles-sur-Mer,
- Shellfish gathering and water sports, popular activities depending on the tides.
🕊️ Memorial tourism, following in the footsteps of Canadian soldiers
Credit : Ph. Delval – Juno Beach Centre
- The Canadian sector of Juno Beach with its remnants of the Atlantic Wall,
- Museums, military cemeteries, and D-Day memorials, following in the footsteps of the Allied regiments,
- A moving exploration of the history of June 6, 1944, through unique and unusual experiences: guided tours in period costume, rides in vintage jeeps, museum tours for young visitors, and more.
🌳 A green and authentic countryside
Credit : Sabina Lorkin – Fontaine-Henry castle
- Traditional villages and Norman castles
- Company visits and discovering Norman craftsmanship : cider making, umbrella
- Long-distance hiking trail (GR 223)
- Euroroute cycle route no. 4 (Vélomaritime)
🦪 A gourmet destination
Crédit : Daniel Dumas
- Seafood tasting
- Restaurants with sea views
- Discovering typical Normandy products
📍 A central and accessible destination
Credit : Loic Durand – Brittany Ferries
- Between Caen and Bayeux, close to Normandy’s major attractions : Mont Saint-Michel, Étretat, Deauville, Rouen…
- 2h30 from Paris, 10km from Ouistreham (Brittany Ferries)
- Easily accessible by public transport, on foot, or by bike
The must-see attractions of the tourist destination
In Cœur de Nacre, discover the D-Day beaches, museums, and memorial sites, as well as charming seaside resorts that is ideal for cultural and educational visits with groups or school classes.
Credit : Thomas Le Floc’h – Juno Beach Centre
- The Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer: Canada’s only museum dedicated to the D-Day beaches. Guided tours, tours for young visitors,
- Juno Park, Courseulles-sur-Mer: physical or virtual tours of the bunkers and Juno Beach,
- Radar Station 44, Douvres-la-Délivrande: former German detection station. Tours of the bunkers, presentation of the daily life of German soldiers,
- The Canadian military cemetery, Reviers/Bény-sur-Mer : open to the public or guided tours,
- Sailing schools in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Langrune-sur-Mer, and Luc-sur-Mer : giant stand-up paddleboarding, sand yachting, kayaking, catamaran sailing, and more,
- The Lalique Chapel with its liturgical ensemble by master glassmaker René Lalique, Douvres-la-Délivrande.
- Nearby : the D-Day Wings Museum, Bretteville-sur-Odon: museum dedicated to World War II aviation, Fontaine-Henry Castle, Lantheuil Castle.
Preparing your stay for groups
Large-capacity accommodations
Hôtel Le Clos Normand
SAINT-AUBIN-SUR-MER
Ideally situated for any visits of the sites of the region, The Clos Normand is located in one of the […]
Hôtel Le Saint-Aubin
SAINT-AUBIN-SUR-MER
The Hôtel le Saint Aubin is located on the seafront in the seaside resort of Saint-Aubin-sur-mer on Normandy’s Côte de […]
Hôtel de la Plage
COURSEULLES-SUR-MER
Ideally located in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Hôtel de la Plage has stood proudly since 1865, a historic building next to the town's […]
Hôtel des Thermes et du Casino
LUC-SUR-MER
Located in Luc-sur-Mer, in the heart of the Côte de Nacre and facing the sea, the Hotel des Thermes et […]
Campsite la Capricieuse – Yelloh Village
LUC-SUR-MER
Come and discover the 5-star Camping La Capricieuse on the seafront. The campsite is located 50 m from the beach […]
This list is not exhaustive; other establishments may be able to accommodate group requests. Please contact us for more information.
Restaurants
Many restaurants offer menus for groups.
See the complete list of restaurants in Cœur de Nacre :
Sports and leisure activities
Credit : Didier Bordas
- Thalassotherapy, Luc-sur-Mer
- Water sports
- Bicycle rental
- Equestrian centers
- Bowling, Courseulles-sur-Mer
Craftsmanship
- Domaine de la Flaguerie, Ducy Ste Marguerite : organic Cider producer
- H2o, Crépon : manufacturer of high-end umbrellas
- Biscuiterie d’Asnelles
Suggestions for themed stays
A memorial trip, following in the footsteps of Allied soldiers
A sample day of what your group can experience in the Juno Beach sector of the D-Day Landing Beaches.
Canadian Remembrance Route
From the trenches of the First World War to the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, and the Dieppe Raid, the Canadian Remembrance Route honours the 500,000 Canadian soldiers who fought for the freedom of the French people on two occasions in the 20th century.
Cultural and religious tourism
Credit : C. Hudson – black Madonna
In Douvres-la-Délivrande, discover Normandy’s oldest Marian pilgrimage site with its Basilica and famous Black Madonna, as well as the unique Lalique Chapel.
Every year in August, the moving Coronation Festival brings the town to life with a grand procession.
For groups, nearby accommodation is available to welcome pilgrims :
- Notre Dame de la Délivrande (110 beds and catering for up to 150 covers)
- Congregation of Notre-Dame-de-fidélité a facility run by nuns with 45 beds, meeting rooms, dining rooms, and a prayer chapel featuring unique Lalique stained glass windows, providing an ideal setting for quiet reflection.
Cœur de Nacre Tourisme is at your disposal to help you organize religious stays and pilgrimages.
Offers for school groups Guided, explore the DDay landing Beaches of Cœur de Nacre
Ideas for discovery classes, seaside classes, school trips, educational projects :
Credit : Sabina Lorkin – D-DAY guided tour – Corine Vervaeke
- Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer : guided tour, guided bunker tour, youth circuit « Explore Juno »
- Costumed tour with presentation of World War II artifacts, Courseulles-sur-Mer / Theme guided tours
- Fontaine-Henry Castle : guided tour, Clue hunts for children in the park
- Water sports : giant stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking challenges, sand yachting
- Alpaga Normandie, Maisons : discover a farm with alpacas and miniature animals
- Workshop on the senses with perfumer Poppy, Courseulles-sur-Mer : pairing paintings with perfumes
- Ornavik, Hérouville-Saint-Clair : historical park, experimental archaeology site, immersive tours, discovery of Viking, Carolingian, and Norman villages
- Know how and Traditional crafts : biscuit making, umbrella manufacturing, cider production
Accommodation for schoolchildren
Centre PEP Les Esnèques
COURSEULLES-SUR-MER
The "Les Esnèques" PEP center is located in the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer, on the Côte de Nacre. It is 400 […]
Centre UNCMT La Closerie des Djinns
BERNIERES-SUR-MER
Situated in an enclosed, one hectare space 400 metres from the beach, the centre provides rooms with 2 to 4 […]
Centre UNCMT Le Manoirs des Hauts Tilleuls
DOUVRES-LA-DELIVRANDE
In the heart of a 4 hectare wooded park, this centre is made up of rooms with 2 to 6 […]
Accueil Notre Dame de la Délivrande
DOUVRES-LA-DELIVRANDE
We are located in the north of the city of Caen and 20 minutes from downtown Caen with its marina […]
Hôtel de Normandie
SAINT-AUBIN-SUR-MER
The Hôtel de Normandie is located in the seaside resort of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, in the heart of Normandy's Côte de Nacre […]
