Houlgate
OFFICE OF TOURISM
*
10 Boulevard des Belges, 14510 Houlgate.
Ph : 02 31 24 34 79
Email : cabourg@ncpa-tourisme.fr
Open 7/7 in July & August.
Closed on Sunday from April to June and in September & October.
Closed on Sunday & Monday the rest of the year.
Opening times : 10am-1pm & 2pm-6pm.
**
Houlgate is a popular seaside resort for sporting and/or family holidays surrounded by hills where you will admire 300 nice and eccentric Belle Epoque villas (the most beautiful and interesting ones on the Côte Fleurie actually), the former Grand Hotel, emblem of its golden age and of course its beautiful sandy beach.
It was in the middle of the 19th century that villas and hotels were built in Beuzeval (the former name of Houlgate) to accommodate the growing number of Parisians and people from Caen who wanted to enjoy sea bathing.
VISIT
For hiking fans, the Tourist Office offers a walking itinerary to discover the site of the « Black cow cliffs » .
You will be given the brochure of «The circuit of the black cow cliffs» to discover on foot this remarkable natural site : it’s a loop of 12 km / 3 hrs / wear good hiking shoes.
The itinerary takes you through the heights of Houlgate and Villers-sur-Mer via a section of the GR 223 and brings you back by the beach.
THE MOST INTERESTING SITES IN HOULGATE
- THE FORMER GRAND HOTEL OF HOULGATE (today a residential building)
Its construction started in 1859 and the initial hotel had 120 rooms, a restaurant and a lounge. It was then extended up to 350 rooms. In 1896, the building had quite the same shape as the present one. Its superb rotunda surmonted by a dome undoubtedly catches the eyes.
Many crowned heads stayed at this hotel but also Marcel Proust.
During WWI, the Grand Hotel became a military hospital, a hotel again in 1917 and was closed in 1939. - THE CASINO
41 rue Henri Dobert, 14510 Houlgate.
Open every day 9am-1am.
Located at the end of the Promenade Roland Garros.
The current casino dates from 1877 but the first casino dates from 1859 and was in front of the Grand Hotel. It was built of wood. - THE BELLE EPOQUE VILLAS
They are built in many different styles, according to the wishes of the owners : English, Gothic, Renaissance, classical, Norman, Moorish. Swiss chalets… there is something for everyone !
A circuit of the villas is available at the Tourist Office of Houlgate (in French and in English) : discover 41 villas/ on foot 2 hrs / 4,6km. The brochure is coupled with the Cabourg villas circuit. - LE MOULIN LANDRY/ LANDRY’S MILL (the primitive mill dates from the 12th century)
2 chemin de la cascade, 14510 Houlgate.
A little known gem to discover !
Crossed by the small river of Drochon, the last of 3 flour mills in Beuzeval (before becoming Houlgate) is a very beautiful site. A manor in a neo-Norman style was built in 1851 around the old half-timbered wheat mill by the mayor of the time and miller, Jacques Landry in order to live there. The property was then modified and completed several times. It was classified as a « Protected Site » in 1942. Today, it’s a private property. - THE BEACH, THE ROLAND GARROS PROMENADE ALONG THE SEAFRONT AND THE 100 STEPS (at the end of the promenade for a stunning view).
– The Beach : a 2 km gorgeous sandy beach where you can enjoy many water sports and leisure activities.
– The Promenade Roland Garros : walk and admire the villas, beach cabins and the wonderful light at sunrise or sunset ! Why is it called Roland Garros ? In 1912 the aviator took off from Houlgate beach to beat the world record of altitude of 4950 meters ; his name was given to the dike in 1988 by the city.
– The 100 steps : this staircase was built in 1880 to enable people to walk to the beach from their villas. If you turn left on street Baumier, you will reach the GR 223.
– The orientation table : on street Baumier, continue straight ahead and climb a few more steps to access the orientation table installed in 1958 on an old German casemate of WWII from where you will see Le Havre to the east, Cabourg to the west and Château Foucher de Careil (also called château de Caumont) perched on top of the hill of Caumont.
This castle was built in the early 1860s by count Alexandre Foucher de Careil, a philosopher and a politician who came to stay in Houlgate very often. His descendants sold the castle in 1949. The city of La Garenne-Colombes in the Paris region acquired it and since then, summer camps have been organised for children. - LES VACHES NOIRES CLIFFS/THE BLACK COW CLIFFS
Of 100 meters high, the cliffs extend over more than 4 km to the nearby town of Villers-sur-Mer. This area was classified in 1995 as a « site of scientific and landscape interest » and is very fragile. This is why access to the cliffs is prohibited but they can be observed from the beach.
Many fossils were discovered there, the first in 1770 : from then on, the place attracted many paleontologists and amateurs. Nowadays, it’s forbidden to extract fossils from the rock but you are allowed to collect them at the foot of the cliffs on the shore.
To discover the site, enjoy the hiking itinerary suggested by the Tourist Office (details in red above). - MARKETS
The outdoor weekly market : every Thursday morning and every morning during school holidays.
The covered market, 34 rue du général Leclerc : from Thursday to Sunday morning, all year round.
Aux Bains Fleuris
Restaurant & Fresh juice bar
49 rue des Bains, 14510 Houlgate.
Ph : 06 51 26 84 93
Website & reservation on Instagram HERE.
Opening days during the high season
– From Tuesday to Saturday : 10am-2:30pm & 6pm-10pm
– Sunday brunch : 10am-2:30pm
– An original, healthy and gourmet restaurant.
– Fresh and tasty cuisine with lots flavours and colors in a refined setting : a pleasure for both eyes and taste buds !
– A very good culinary experience in Houlgate at a reasonable price.
Les Halles
34 rue du Général leclerc, 14510 Houlgate
Ph : 02 31 24 82 25
Email : resa.leshalles@gmail.com
Website HERE.
Opening days
– Every day for lunch and dinner except on Tuesday & Wednesday.
– A bistronomic brasserie offering traditional and excellent French cuisine made with fresh and seasonal products.
– Franck, is a butcher and passionate about cooking and wine and Caroline is the Chef.
– Sea-food and meat served with vegetables to offer balanced and tasty dishes.
– Large choice of wines.
– Menus at 23 and 27 euros (2 or 3 courses) /daily special 16 euros (2024 prices).
– Terrace on sunny days & parking (of the market) next to the restaurant.
