visiting the normandy beaches and where to stay

by Sharon Santoni

postcards hung on a line

 

This week I have been revisiting the Normandy landing beaches, and that beautiful part of the Normandy coast north of Bayeux.  I went for a few days with friends, and we were looking for the  informality of a house to rent rather than a hotel.

 

seaboats on a white shelf

 

I found the most wonderful little house, beautifully decorated and equipped, and right on the sea at Port en Bessin.   This tiny port is exactly half way between Omaha Beach and Arromanches, and provided the perfect base for driving around the area.

morning mist by the cliffs

I love to be beside the water, be it sea, lake or river, but there is a particular charm to waking to the sight of fishing boats returning home safely after a night fishing on the sea. It makes visiting the fish markets in the morning and buying directly from those fishermen all the more authentic, and your evening meal all the more delicious.

fishing boat coming into harbor

collage of seafood in the market

The house that we stayed in is one of several houses and apartments offered for rent by Les Filles du Bord de Mer.     They renovate old fishing houses around the port, and equip them in a comfortable and modern style, with all the technological details we seem to need today, but with a charming retro touch that is simply delightful.

overhead view of a kitchen with large wooden table

We adored the attention to detail, not only in the wonderfully nautical decoration but also in the little practical things that make these rentals real homes away from home.

detail shot of kitchen utensils hung over sinkfish and green onions prepared for cooking

If you ever have the opportunity to visit the beautiful coast of Normandy, I encourage you to come enjoy the charming comfort of Port en Bessin and Les Filles du Bord de Mer. There are boats to watch, beaches to visit, historical landmarks to take in… all while staying in the comfort of a little house that is all your own.

beds with nautical decor on shelves

detail of door with decorative sailboat on window sill

Les Filles du Bord de Mer

Port en Bessin, Normandy, France

All the photos of the houses are by Philippe Stroppa

14 comments

kat October 6, 2014 - 10:29 am

Bel esprit marin !
Kat

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Danielle in Calvados October 6, 2014 - 1:31 pm

We too have stayed in one of the apartments while visiting from Australia on a house hunting trip in Normandy. We bought an old house in Arromanches – the next town along from Port en Bessin – as we really wanted to be in a beach town (we’re Australian after all!)

We’re part way through our renovation and hope to be open as a B&B very shortly. There’s a real need for more stylish and comfortable accommodation around our area.

Glad you had a lovely stay

Danielle

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Karena October 6, 2014 - 1:47 pm

Sharon, This looks like the perfect way to experience the area and its ambiance. The locale and the rentals are just lovely!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

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Mumbai October 6, 2014 - 2:30 pm

Curiously looked at google maps where this place exactly is and have seen also pictures from that area. Must be wonderful to spend some days there and Bayeux has a golf course view beautiful views.

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La Contessa October 6, 2014 - 3:12 pm

Very quaint…………..seems like a good place to be after driving around all day.I’m finally back on track as of today!Slept through the night!YIPPY……………can you believe its been a week today since you dropped us at the FAB Clinincourt!
XX

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Hannah F October 6, 2014 - 4:08 pm

this looks simply divine! we have a tentative vacation planned to normandy for next summer – will definitely be saving this link into my travel file! love the decor! xx

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LisaF October 6, 2014 - 4:26 pm

Thank you for the information. We may be headed that way next year.

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Colleen Taylor October 6, 2014 - 4:53 pm

What a wonderful little place for a beautiful getaway.

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Rié | Portobello Design October 6, 2014 - 5:54 pm

Absolutely Charming!

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Marlene Stephenson October 7, 2014 - 2:52 pm

Yes,what a wonderful place to visit,thank for this posting.

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Lorraine Wafer October 8, 2014 - 1:18 am

Wonderful house. We loved this area when we were in France. We stayed at Bayeaux in a wonderful place and spent time exploring the coast. Thanks for sharing. Lorraine from Australia

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Vicky from Athens October 8, 2014 - 11:31 am

Loved reading this post since I’ve visited Port en Bessin a few times but only in day trips while staying in Bayeux. It’s such a charming little port and I loved collecting some of those huge scallop shells to bring home. I also found sea glass which I collect when possible. Both are wonderful souveniers of my trip. I’d love to return and will keep the name handy for future reference.

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Peggy Braswell October 8, 2014 - 11:38 pm

what a charming house + this will definitely go into my travel file. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Mary Kay Crouch October 16, 2014 - 12:25 am

Sharon, beautiful and on point as usual! Your photos and your writing have a way of drawing us in and making us all feel as though we are right there with you. I so enjoyed my time in your beautiful piece of Normandy!

Keep them coming….

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