The sea in winter

làThe place to enjoy the seaOpen airUnmissable Posted on 24.01.2024

Who said the beach was only beautiful in summer? We’re taking advantage of a weekend in winter to get some sea air with friends on the Côte de Nacre. We’ve planned plenty of activities to get some fresh air, as well as moments to relax to the rhythm of the tides.

Day 1

A walk on the beach

We start our weekend with a breath of fresh air outside. The snow that had fallen a few days earlier surprised us by mixing with the sand. There are several ways to get some fresh air:

• Walking and chatting with friends on the beach at Ouistreham Riva-Bella
• Watching seal at la Pointe du Siège
• Combine business with pleasure by picking up rubbish left by the tide

Seafood for lunch

It’s almost time to eat! We want to cook our meals with seafood. When the season and regulations allow, you can collect cockles and shellfish on the beach during a fishing trip!

The other option is to head off to Ouistreham’s unmissable fish market, held every morning on the harbour. Here we find scallops, oysters and fresh fish, and share our recipe ideas with the fishermen.

A choice of water sports

After this tasty meal, we continue our outing in the fresh air. We have a choice of water sports of varying degrees of difficulty:

• Coastal lanyards with good equipment for walking in the waves
• Go for top speed in a sand yacht (with the OCEAN sailing centre or the Club de Voile et de Loisirs d’Hermanville)
• Take a kitesurfing or wing-foil course with the Clinique de la planche

Beforehand, it is very important to find out about the tide times and weather conditions.

For an activity that stays on dry land, why not take a horse ride on the beach?

Dinner with a sea view

After a day in the fresh air, it’s time to enjoy a fine dinner in one of the coastal restaurants.

For a view of the sea, we choose between La Voile Blanche, the Thalazur restaurant or l’Oyat.

Accomodation by the sea

Day 2

Cycling along the seafront

We’re off on a bike ride from Ouistreham to Lion-sur-mer, along the sea wall. To hire a bike, we rent a “Vélolib” at the station in Ouistreham.

As soon as we started pedalling, we saw a wide variety of sites and landscapes unfold before us.

• Remember the monuments to the Second World War: the Flame Memorial, the statue of Bill Millin, the tanks and other relics of the Normandy Landings.
• Marvel at the sumptuous villas on the seafront between Colleville-Montgomery and Hermanville-sur-mer.
• Marvel at the fascinating Confessionnaux Cliff at Lion-sur-mer
• Treat yourself with a trip to one of the delicatessens, Les Copines de la côte or l‘Echoppe by Chef Poudras.

Brunch time

The outing in the fresh air whetted our appetites. We headed for one of the coastal restaurants to try out the region’s culinary specialities. By the stove, with a view of the sea or on the terrace if the sun is shining, but always with homemade dishes!

Make way for well-being

It’s time to relax and pamper ourselves after an emotional weekend. We want to relax and unwind in warm water. And why not indulge in a Thalasso treatment?

Before heading home, we enjoy one last moment of indulgence overlooking the sea with a tea time at the Thalasso bar in Ouistreham.

If it’s raining

Don’t panic! If the weather doesn’t cooperate, there are covered activities on the coast to keep you warm and dry.

• Play a few coins at the Casino Barrière in Ouistreham Riva-Bella
• Take in the sights at Cinéma le Cabieu, one of the cutest cinemas in France
• Challenge your friends to a fiery game at Familly’s Games arcade
• Admire the works of artists at the Galerie d’art Delobel
• Immerse yourself in the history of D-Day at the N°4 Commando Museum, the Atlantic Wall Museum and the Grand Bunker Museum

We like

• Go out of season to get great deals on accommodation and transport
• Have the beach all to ourselves!
• Take a breath of fresh air in the heart of winter