Best Lodging near Normandy Beaches • Traveling with Purpose

Are you planning a trip to Normandy and looking for the perfect place to stay near the historic D-Day beaches? Somewhere that feels like a home away from home instead of just a hotel room? Imagine a cozy two-bedroom stay with a water view where families or friends traveling together can spread out, relax, and still be just minutes from the D-Day sites and charming villages.

After spending time exploring Normandy’s seaside towns and countryside hideaways, I can recommend the perfect lodging near the Normandy beaches. It balances comfort, convenience, and plenty of character. Whether you’re after boutique charm, modern amenities, or a peaceful base for your adventures, I’ll help you find the best Normandy, France lodging to make your trip unforgettable.

Recently, we celebrated our anniversary in France. Our adult daughter, Amy came along to help us celebrate too. It was all that we hoped for and so much more. I was on the hunt for 2-bedroom lodging near Normandy Beaches and found this gorgeous gem in Port-en-Bessin. It’s only 20 minutes from several Normandy Beaches and a great location for relaxing and enjoying the water view. The cool thing is that you can book it through at least two different lodging sites. So you can compare prices or choose based on your personal booking preference.

PRO TIP: Booking all your lodging on the same site makes keeping track of reservations much less stressful and easier to organize.

Lodging Near D-Day Locations

My husband, Terry is a history lover and one of his Bucket List items was to visit the D-Day sites from World War II in Normandy. France hadn’t been at the top of my list of countries to visit, because of the language difference and the [out-dated] reputation of not being friendly to visitors, but my husband was interested in going on a tour of the historical sites from the D-Day Normandy Beaches, so we added it to our list. We had no problems in France at all, the people were very friendly and welcoming and I can’t wait to share all the places that I fell in love with in the country.

First, let’s visit my favorite place to stay when we were there. It was the best lodging near the Normandy Beaches for us and my top pick in the two weeks we were in Europe. It has so much charm and character! We had a variety of lodging during our European vacation: hotel rooms, vacation rentals, and suites, which I’ll share more about later, but this one stands out in my mind. I only wish we could have stayed longer to enjoy the sleepy little seaside town of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain.

Port-en-Bessin Vacation Rental Details:

• Country: France
• Town: Port-en-Bessin
• Region: Normandy
• Type: VRBO vacation rental, apartment on the 2nd floor
• Size: 2 Bedrooms (sleeps up to 4), 1 Bath
• View: Yes, Water view, Harbor view
• Restaurants Nearby: Yes, a 2-minute walk
• Need to climb stairs to get to the unit
• Close to Places of Interest: WWII D-Day Battlefields, Utah Beach, Normandy Beaches, Bayeaux,

For more excellent lodging options in the Normandy region, check out these sources.

Our Normandy France Road Trip

Earlier in the week, we arrived in the Normandy Region by train from Paris. We picked up a rental car in Caen a few blocks from the train station, which was perfect for our plans. The terrain was easy to navigate, with wide country roads winding through lush, green rolling hills, and small farms dotting the landscape.

We had several places to visit in the area, but our two nights’ lodging near the Normandy beaches was primarily for taking a full-day tour of World War II D-Day sites and visiting the Normandy Beaches. June 6, 2024, marked the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy. If you’d like to know a little more about our D-Day tour, my post shares some of the behind-the-scenes that you won’t learn everywhere.

Close to the World War II D-Day Sites

This lodging near Normandy beaches was an easy 15-minute drive to the town of Bayeux, which is where we started our excellent full-day World War II D-Day history tour hosted by Bayeaux Shuttle.

Our host, Astrid met us at the front door of the 2nd-floor unit in the afternoon. She was very friendly and spoke English well, which was a big help to us. Astrid showed us around the place and answered all of our questions. She also left us a bottle of local La Ferme du Lavoir – a semi-dry hard cidre [cider], that’s well known in the region.

We felt at home as soon as we arrived at this lodging near Normandy beaches. Astrid added so many unique touches, we didn’t want to leave.

We were lucky to be traveling with our adult daughter, so the 2-bedroom set-up was perfect for us. It allowed us to each have space to spend time alone if we wanted. We could also gather at the farmhouse table in the kitchen to plan our days.

We were on a busy schedule while we were there. Except for using the refrigerator to store snacks and drinks and using the coffee maker in the morning, we didn’t use the well-stocked kitchen supplies much. It’s always nice to have when needed, especially for longer stays.

Within Walking Distance of Restaurants

Another huge advantage of this lodging near Normandy Beaches was that there were several restaurants just steps from our place. That came in handy at the end of our busy days when we were tired and didn’t have the energy to go too far.

On the night we arrived, we didn’t feel up to going out to a restaurant, so we walked down and picked up pizza from La Marina Pizzeria and Creperie. The next night we walked a few steps away and enjoyed delicious seafood at L’Ecailler (more on that later).

Port-en-Bessin Restaurants in the Michelin Guide

If you’re looking for more fine dining restaurants, there are even a couple right in Port-en-Bessin listed in the Michelin Guide.

Le Botaniste is only about a 5-minute drive inland from this lodging. It’s open for dinner and offers creative “land and sea” cuisine, which is no surprise given it’s proximity to the port. It’s also open for lunch for large groups or special events.

Le Petit Jardin is also a very short drive from your lodging. Indoor dining is housed in an old orangery and still has the glass roof. You’ll also find quaint English-style outdoor patio tables nestled under umbrellas and surrounded by trees.

Someday I hope to go back and rent this sweet lodging near Normandy beaches for several weeks. I’d love to relax and take day trips to discover all that makes this region so special. Especially the four C’s for food lovers: Camembert cheese, cider, cream (have you heard of the Normande dairy cow?), and Calvados (apple brandy). Here’s Everything you Need to Know About Normandy France Cuisine and why you’ll want to explore it all.

What are your favorite lodging near Normandy Beaches in France? I’d love to hear about them to add to my to-do list when I go back!

Don’t Miss Le Gout du Large – Scallop Festival

If you’re planning a trip to Normandy in November, one of the best things to do is indulge in the scallop festival in Port-en-Bessin. Every year, this little harbor town—Normandy’s very first artisanal fishing port—celebrates its pride and joy: fresh scallops. The festival, called Le Goût du Large, fills the weekend with delicious seafood, live music, and that small-town coastal charm that makes Normandy so special.

Picture the quays buzzing with food stalls, historic sailing ships docked in the harbor, and local restaurants serving up special scallop menus just for the occasion. There are activities for all ages, so everyone will find something fun to do. And don’t miss “Music Under the Sea Spray,” the big concert under the tent at Place Seurat—it’s one of the highlights of the weekend.

If you go, I recommend staying right in Port-en-Bessin. There are some wonderful lodging options, from cozy B&Bs to vacation rentals perfect for families or friends traveling together. That way, you can walk to the festival and soak up every bit of the atmosphere without worrying about driving.

Other Vacation Rentals I recommend:

One of the best parts about visiting the Normandy coast is the variety of lodging options you can experience. You’ll find everything from historic seaside hotels that have been welcoming guests for generations to cozy bed-and-breakfasts in picturesque fishing villages. Families or groups of friends often love vacation rentals near the Normandy beaches, with plenty of space to relax after a day of exploring.

For something more immersive, farm stays in the Normandy countryside let you slow down, enjoy local hospitality, and even sample fresh products straight from the farm. And if you’re looking for a truly memorable getaway, elegant châteaux have been transformed into boutique hotels where you can sleep in a piece of French history. Whether you’re searching for the best lodging in Normandy France, a coastal retreat, or a unique farm experience, there’s no shortage of unforgettable places to stay.

You can also save on your budget by staying at places with breakfast or a kitchen included.

French Chateaus & 5-Star Hotels in Normandy

If you’re looking for something more upscale in the Normandy region, there’s a wide variety of 5-star hotels in the area. You can find all the 5-star options and more in Normandy here.

My Favorite Things to Do in the Normandy Region

More Things to Do near Port-en-Bessin

Beyond WWII history, the surrounding area offers scenic drives through the picturesque Pays d’Auge, known for its apple orchards, cheese farms, and charming villages. The Cotentin and Bessin Marsh Regional Natural Park provides opportunities for nature walks and wildlife observation.

If you have more time to spend in the area, the 18-hole Omaha Beach Golf course is located nearby. The town itself features a daily fish market on Quai Letourneur, where visitors can purchase freshly caught seafood, and a scenic hiking route called “Around Port-en-Bessin-Huppain” that explores the coastline and countryside. The nearby Mont Castel offers a hidden surprise: the buried remains of a Roman occupation camp.

Places to See Near this Normandy Holiday Rental