Recommended hotel experiences in Paris.
For a weekend or longer, these stretches of sand or pebbles in Normandy and Hauts-de-France can be reached in less time than it takes to reach certain corners of the Paris region. From Paris, it's just under 200 km to reach the Channel coast in Normandy and Hauts -de-France . How long does the journey take? Between two and three hours, depending on whether you're traveling by car or train.
1. Honfleur (Calvados, Normandy)
Honfleur is the closest seaside resort to Paris by road. The tall, narrow houses typical of the region line the Vieux Bassin.
Visit the Vieux Bassin (Old Harbor) and see the stunning views
Amidst the narrow streets of the historic center is the Eugène Boudin Museum, with works by local artists and impressionists, providing insight into the region's art history.
By car: between two and three hours via the A13 motorway (185 km).
And by train? 3 hours by Nomad train from Saint-Lazare station, with a Nomad bus connection to Le Havre (lines L111, L122 or L123) or Deauville-Trouville (line L111).
2. Dieppe (Seine-Maritime, Normandy)
Explore the Château de Dieppe which has fascinating exhibitions on maritime history and stunning views of the town from the ramparts.
Check out the Dieppe Museum (Musée de Dieppe) that has an extensive collection of art, artifacts, and local history. In particular, have a look at the collection of ivory items.
Dieppe Beach is famous for its chalk cliffs on the other. Once this was France's most popular seaside resort and it was founded in 1824. For the culinary enthusiast, Dieppe is also the leading French port for scallops.
By car: between two and three hours via the A13 motorway (194 km).
And by train? 2 hours 50 minutes by Nomad train from Saint-Lazare station with a TER connection in Rouen.
3. Etretat (Seine-Maritime, Normandy)
This seaside town is almost thirty kilometers from Le Havre, and maybe most known for the cliffs of Étretat. If you want to take some iconic travel photos, this is the place to go. You can also visit the Maison de Claude Monet, which will give you insights into the the life of the painter who also painted the cliffs in Etretat.
By car: between 2 hours 20 minutes and 3 hours 20 minutes via the A13 motorway (210 km).
And by train? It takes 3 hours by Nomad train from Saint-Lazare station, with a bus connection (line 504) to Bréauté-Beuzeville.
4. Cabourg (Calvados, Normandy)
Get your fix of beach life on Cabourg Beach, a spacious sandy beach that is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and beach sports. Go for a walk along promenade Marcel Proust which offers views of charming villas and beach cabanas. For a taste of the local life, visit the Cabourg Market and pick up fresh produce, cheeses, and handmade goods for an authentic local meal.
By car: between 2 hours 10 minutes and three hours via the A13 motorway (218 km).
And by train? It takes 3 hours by Nomad train from Saint-Lazare station, with a TER connection at Deauville-Trouville.
5. Le Touquet-Paris-Plage (Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France)
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage (Pas-de-Calais), on the Opal Coast, has views and sports to offer. Visit the Le Touquet Lighthouse for a panoramic view of the coastline, a great photo opportunity.
Visit Musée du Touquet-Paris-Plage that showcases local art and history, blending together exhibitions on the town's development.
On the sports side, the seaside resort is a mecca for golf, tennis, sand yachting, and horseback riding. Its beach, an 11-km stretch of sand and dune area bordered by a pine forest, is ideal for family walks, on foot, or by bike.
By car: between 2h30 and 3h20 by car via the A16 motorway (258 km). And by train? 2 hours 10 minutes by TER or 2 hours 45 minutes by TGV inOui from Paris Nord to Étaples-Le Touquet station, then take the CA2BM network shuttle (20 minutes).
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