Cabourg from Rouen

Cabourg became a seaside resort in 1855, on a fan-shaped plan drawn up by Charles Duval. Its backbone is the Promenade Marcel Proust: 3.6 km of pedestrian sea wall between the dunes of Cap Cabourg and the Home-Varaville beach, with the sea on one side and the villas on the other.

A stone's throw from the promenade, the Grand Hôtel, completed in 1907, is a listed historic monument. Proust spent his summers there from 1907 to 1914 and turned it into the Balbec of his novel. In the former Villa Bon Abri, the Villa du Temps retrouvé brings that Belle Époque back to life through him.

About 2 km away, Dives-sur-Mer still has its fifteenth-century market halls, where the market is held on Saturday mornings. It was from Dives that William the Conqueror's fleet set sail for England in 1066, and the Notre-Dame church displays the list of his companions.

Promenade Marcel Proust

The 3.6 km pedestrian sea wall along the beach, lined with Belle Époque villas, with views along the coast as far as Le Havre. Free access.

Cabourg beach

A wide sandy beach of about 4 km, with the promenade running along its whole length. Free access.

Villa du Temps retrouvé

A museum about the Belle Époque, with Marcel Proust as your guide, set in one of the resort's villas. Allow about 1 h 30 for the visit. €9 (reduced €7, free for under-18s on a self-guided visit).

The Grand Hôtel, from the outside

The resort's landmark, completed in 1907, where Proust stayed every summer from 1907 to 1914.

Dunes of Cap Cabourg

The dunes east of the promenade, with views over Houlgate, Dives-sur-Mer and the Dives estuary. Free access.

Dives-sur-Mer market halls and church

Fifteenth-century market halls and a church linked to William the Conqueror's departure in 1066, about 2 km from the centre of Cabourg.

Cabourg on the map

Tap a point to see its name. Base map © OpenStreetMap, Protomaps.

Getting there from Rouen

By train

Direct Nomad train from Rouen Rive-Droite to Caen: 1 h 33 on the fastest service, about 1 h 40 in general. The line has 10 trains a day on weekdays, fewer on Saturdays and Sundays.

Then by coach

Nomad coach line 111 (Caen - Le Havre) from Caen coach station, connecting with the trains, to the Cabourg Hôtel de ville stop: about 50 min. The line runs every day of the year except 1 May, with around fifteen departures from Caen on weekdays and 7 on Sundays and bank holidays.

Coach times

On the current timetable, the first coach leaves Caen at 7:15 Monday to Saturday and at 7:55 on Sundays. The last coach to Caen leaves Cabourg Hôtel de ville at 21:38 Monday to Saturday and at 20:42 on Sundays, but the last Caen - Rouen train leaves well before that.

Coach fare

Caen - Cabourg costs €4 with a Nomad single ticket (3 zones), according to the official fare calculator. You can also buy an M-Ticket on the Atoumod app.

Another option

In the warmer months, a train also links Trouville-Deauville to Dives-Cabourg: every day in July and August, mostly at weekends in spring and September. From Rouen, you then have to go via Lisieux and Trouville-Deauville, with two changes.

Top tip

The Pass Normandie Découverte covers 2 people for unlimited travel over 2 days by Nomad train or coach in Normandy: €20 at the weekend, €35 for 2 consecutive weekdays.

Prices and opening hours

Prices

The promenade, the beach and the dunes are free to explore. Villa du Temps retrouvé: €9 (reduced €7), free for under-18s on a self-guided visit; guided tour €13 (reduced €11, €4 for ages 6 to 18).

Opening hours

Promenade and beach open to all, all year round. Villa du Temps retrouvé: open from late February to 11 November last season, closed on Tuesdays and 1 May, 11:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, and 11:00 to 18:00 in July and August; last entry 45 min before closing. Cabourg tourist office: every day except Tuesday and Sunday, 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00. Market in the Dives-sur-Mer halls: Saturday morning.

Prices and times can change: check the official website before you go.

Top tips

• The Villa du Temps retrouvé closes in winter and every Tuesday. Check it's open before you make the trip just for it.
• For the way back, first check the time of the last Caen - Rouen train, then pick your 111 coach, leaving yourself some margin in Caen.
• Bikes are banned on most of the Promenade Marcel Proust: it's one to do on foot.
• The 111 coach doesn't run on 1 May, and the Villa du Temps retrouvé is also closed that day.

Flying into Beauvais airport?

The Busmandy shuttle, official partner of Beauvais airport, takes you to Rouen by direct coach, in 1 h 40, from €23.90. You arrive at the Busmandy stop, halte de Champlain (see on Google Maps), about 10 min walk from the centre: base yourself in Rouen and visit Cabourg as a day trip.

Frequently asked questions