Experience village life in Normandy – perfect for travelling with a toddler
FAMILY-friendly escapes in northern France are just a drive away… Berets optional…
Writer Emma Ledger found French village life in Normandy – perfect for travelling with a toddler.
The pad
Beachside boutique hotel Vue Sur Mer, in the peaceful village of Pourville, is a gem and a bargain.
Simple but sweet rooms are flooded with natural light.
Expect a basket of warm pastries, jams, juice and strong coffee to set you up for a day exploring.
Explore
Surfers flock to the vast pebble beach, which handily transforms to sand at low tide.
There’s also a fab playground and crazy golf, plus bikes to hire opposite the hotel for whizzing down the wide promenade, £4 for half a day.
Head to Étretat, an hour away, to spy the spectacular coastal rock formations from the unique Les Jardins d’Étretat – where landscaped gardens meet contemporary art.
Entry costs £10 for adults, £6 for over-sevens (Etretatgarden.fr).
Étretat’s beach starred in Netflix’s Lupin, and the books’ author also holidayed here.
Play detective at his house, Maison Maurice Leblanc – entry costs £7.50 per person.
And don’t forget to grab the best foodie souvenirs at La Rose des Vents (Larosedesvents-etretat.com).
Refuel
For family-friendly dining in Pourville, Les Régates serves great food.
Be sure to order the entrecôte, £21, followed by Normandy tart of apples, sliced almonds and caramelised egg custard, £6.50.
In Étretat, kids can tuck into ham and cheese galettes, while you feast on mussels with camembert sauce, £13.50, in cosy La Flottille (Restaurant-laflottille.fr).
Book it
Double rooms cost from £90 B&B (Vuesurmerpourville.com).
Plan your trip at En.normandie-tourisme.fr.
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle crossings from Folkestone to Calais start from £50 each way and take 35 minutes (Eurotunnel.com).