France – Cabourg (En)
We went to Cabourg because it offered two free motorhome parking areas and because I had read that it is a historic Belle Époque coastal town. We really liked the town. It boasts the longest European pedestrian seafront promenade, fantastic Belle Époque-style houses, and an old town that we absolutely loved.
Where to stay
We chose to stay at the free parking area in Dives-sur-Mer (coordinates: 49.290127, -0.104248 lat, long) because it was close to a Lidl and larger than the other available site. The area has a facility for emptying grey and black water, as well as a supply of potable water. We didn’t need to top up our water, as we already had enough. Potable water costs 6 euros for 10 minutes, which is more than enough to fill a tank. The location is excellent—just a 5-minute walk from the Lidl supermarket and 15 minutes from the town centre and the seafront. During our stay, we met Anthony and Annette, a lovely couple from Wales whom we hope to see again on our travels or back in the United Kingdom.
What to see
Upon arrival, we discovered that it was market day, so we headed there. The street market sold all sorts of things, but primarily local products. We bought two pieces of ham—one roasted and one cured—both delicious.
In the afternoon, we headed to the promenade, crossing the other bridge to reach the other side. The views are very beautiful. Promenade Marcel Proust: Europe’s longest pedestrian seaside promenade, stretching over 3.6 to 4 kilometres along the golden sand beach. Along the path, you can see photos of famous people and postcards dedicated to love from countries all over the world.
Opposite the promenade lies a beautiful square, home to the Grand Hotel: A historic 5-star beachfront hotel where writer Marcel Proust famously stayed and set part of his masterpiece, In Search of Lost Time.
From there, we headed to the old town, full of shops, bars, and restaurants, and featuring beautiful buildings.
We walked all the way up the main street until we reached the town hall, which is located in a square with a statue in the center commemorating those who fell for France. Opposite the town hall stands the city’s main church.
Our next stop is Argentan, one of the most important fortified towns in Normandy, which you will be able to see in the next blog post.
