In the heart of the D-Day Beaches, you can enjoy many pleasures of the coastline while visiting historical sites; all this with seaside parking solutions in several seaside resorts of the destination.

Cœur de Nacre is the ideal base for a successful motorhome holiday.

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Our top arguments for staying in the destination

  • An ideal geographical location to discover Normandy,
  • Historical visits within easy reach on the D-Day landing beaches,
  • Local markets and the famous Courseulles-sur-Mer fish market,
  • Solutions for staying just a stone’s throw from the sea,
  • The bicycle and nothing but the bicycle as the preferred means of transport during the holidays.

Cœur de Nacre: The gateway to Normandy!

Mont-Saint-Michel, Etretat, Bayeux, Honfleur… so many major stages and routes to discover.

Let’s be honest with you right away, it will be difficult for you to get through all of them in one visit, but if you try it and you are not afraid of the miles, this article will certainly help you to get organised from our destination.

Staying between Caen and Bayeux on the Côte de Nacre, it will be easy for you to travel between the destinations of the Bessin (Bayeux, Arromanches) and the Côte Fleurie (Cabourg, Deauville, Trouville).

credit : les valises de sarah calvados attractivité

Cœur de Nacre destination or: how to radiate fully in the heart of the D-Day landing beaches?

Successful motorhome holidays in the Cœur de Nacre: tips and advice.

bernieres sur mer vestige du mur de l atlantique

The D-Day beaches are 80 kilometres of coastline to discover, combining vestiges of the past and splendid wild landscapes.

Our day or two-day motorhome tour takes you along the 9 kilometers of coastline (D514).

From the commune of Luc-sur-Mer to the beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer, where the famous Juno Beach Centre is located, you’ll follow in the footsteps of our liberators in the heart of the Canadian sector.


Later in this article, we’ll be detailing what we feel are the essential stops to make at your own pace during your motorhome visit to our Coeur de Nacre tourist destination.


Make way for history and the assault on historic sites…

Your visit to the Coeur de Nacre will enable you to set up your base camp on the prestigious Canadian sector of Juno Beach.

This itinerary of remembrance can of course be extended and completed by the discovery of other sectors to the west and east, devoted to mainly American and British troops.

Credit : G. Wait


Stage 1: the seaside resort of Courseulles-sur-Mer

This dynamic family seaside resort has a close link with the sea.

It lives to the rhythm of its fishing and yachting port.

It’s during the height of summer that the town takes on the allure of a family-friendly seaside resort with a village feel.

You’ll also find all the local shops you need, as well as a wide choice of restaurants where you can sample the pleasures of a varied cuisine, with many fish specialties straight from the stalls.

The fish market is the first stop on the route and the DNA of the town.

You’ll breathe in the invigorating iodine of the sea spray, and enjoy the excitement of a fishing trip

the extra: the commune has a parking and services area near Parc de l’édit (on the east side of town), as well as a free parking area with several dozen spaces on Avenue de la Combattante, just one block from the seafront.

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marche aux poissons courseulles

“No middleman, from boat to plate”.

Laëtitia – fisherman

Once you’ve loaded up your shopping bag with seafood and returned it to the camper van, head for the town’s west beach.

Head for the Juno Beach Centre, to pay tribute to Canadian soldiers.

Their history and role during the Second World War are recounted through films, period objects, temporary exhibitions and educational and commemorative events held throughout the year (with the exception of the closing month of January).

Here, in the company of a French-Canadian guide, you’ll discover the remains of the German defensive stronghold built during the Occupation.

If you plan to visit in the morning, you can even enjoy a picnic on the lovely beach in front of the museum.

What could be better?

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2nd stage: Head for the countryside, the Douvres-la-Délivrande radar station and the Reviers/Bény-sur-Mer cemetery.

Reviers/Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery

As a first stop on this second day, we recommend a visit to this emotionally-charged site, which will plunge you into the harsh reality of this period and complete your visit to the Juno Beach Center.

  • The 1944 Radar Station at Douvres-la-Délivrande

Among the 2,049 graves are 335 soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Division who landed on Juno Beach on June 6, 1944.

Built by the Germans between 1942 and 1944, this station, with its five radars capable of detection up to 400 kilometers away, is one of the most important in the Atlantic Wall air defense chain.

The station was garrisoned by no fewer than 230 Luftwaffe troops.

NB: located just 5 minutes from Courseulles-sur-Mer, cycling is still an option, but be careful: you’ll be using busy roads.

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Canadian War Cemetery in Bény-sur-mer/ Reviers

BENY-SUR-MER

    It is in this Bény-sur-Mer Reviers Canadian War Cemetery that the 335 soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Division who landed […]

Radar 44 Museum

DOUVRES-LA-DELIVRANDE

    The only radar station kept in its originals state of the D-Day Landing beaches. It is located in an authentic […]


Stage 3: The medieval interlude

From the hinterland, you’ll be charmed by the charming limestone villages of Caen and Creully, shaped since the time of William the Conqueror.

Today, we’re off to Fontaine-Henry to visit a “Loire château lost in Normandy”.

Its imprint left its mark on an entire territory, and many of its vestiges are still visible today.

Not to be missed is the Château de Fontaine-Henry, a magnificent Renaissance residence renowned for having the highest roofs in France.

Château de Fontaine-Henry, patrimoine renaissance, visite des intérieurs, de la charpente et des toits du château avec le propriétaire des lieux, le marquis, calvados, normandie

Credit : Sabina Lorkin


Where can I park my motorhome between Luc-sur-Mer and Courseulles-sur-Mer during the 80th anniversary of D-Day?

The Coeur de Nacre destination offers easy parking solutions in the seaside towns.

We invite you to take a look at the different areas or parking lots that will allow you to extend your vacation time with us:

Motorhome park Avenue de la Combattante

COURSEULLES-SUR-MER

    Communal motorhome parking area on Avenue de la Combattante. 22 pitches.  Tables, satellite dishes and wedges may not be removed. […]

Is it possible to spend the night at a campsite?

Yes, it’s possible. The 5* Camping de la Côte de Nacre in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer welcomes you from April to September in a complex just a stone’s throw from the sea.

In the commune of Luc-sur-Mer, you’ll be delighted to stay at this 5* family campsite located just 50 meters from shops and the beach.

Campsite la Côte de Nacre – Sandaya

SAINT-AUBIN-SUR-MER

    The Camping de la Côte de Nacre, in Saint Aubin sur Mer, welcomes you to a 10-hectare complex with a […]

  • 5 stars

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 […]

  • 5 stars

When is the best time to travel in a motorhome in Normandy?

If you want to make the most of your trip to Normandy in a motorhome, you’ll need to leave in summer.

During the summer months, the coast is packed with festive events and activities.

Enjoy a stroll along the Normandy coast while soaking up the sun and warmth.

Prefer spring or autumn if you want to avoid the tourist crowds.

In low season, you can enjoy your Normandy road trip in a motorhome with complete peace of mind.

And of course this year from the end of May to the end of August, to take advantage of the dday entertainment program.

The Coeur de Nacre destination is also a land of nature and escape…

Did you bring the bikes?

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We’ve got everything you need to make the most of it…

Normandy is first and foremost a remarkable coastal landscape, with views of the sea and hilly circuits in the hinterland.

During your stay with us, you’ll have the luxury of appreciating the region’s diversity of unspoilt panoramas between sea and countryside.

There is no shortage of places dedicated to cycling:

Choice 1: Immerse yourself in nature by discovering the destination’s green lung, La Capricieuse, stretching between the towns of Luc-sur-Mer and Douvres-la-Délivrande.

Choice 2: Head for the Côte de Nacre coast and cross the D-Day landing beaches with Vélomaritime.

Made up of shared lanes, cycle paths and other greenways, this cycle route offers breathtaking panoramic views of the sea.

Choice 3: From the town of Courseulles-sur-Mer and the Canadian Juno Beach sector, take part in a 13km cycling loop on the theme of the Allied landings of June 6, 1944. All along the route, historical panels will help you pass through the door of history on the advance of the Canadian troops.

The bike card :


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