During the 2019 Christmas holidays I had not really planned to leave Paris. But at the last moment I wanted to get some fresh air and see the sea! After some research for accommodation I opted for Houlgate on the “flowered” coast.

• Useful information

The flowered coast is located in Calvados, between Cabourg and Honfleur. I opted for the hotel Castel de Siam in the city center of Houlgate with the possibility of free parking in the street. And the breakfast was praised in the reviews and indeed, very good :). The beach is quickly accessible on foot as well as the restaurants for a fair budget! I must say that I also dreamed of going for a massage in a SPA and there is one in this city!

• Houlgate

My first half-day was devoted to the SPA. I treated myself to a massage at SPA Deep nature. This allowed me to stay half a day at the SPA with a gym, swimming pool, sauna, hammam. And all this with a superb view of Houlgate!

Then I went for a walk in the small town center with its typical architecture.

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And of course also at the beach! The weather was really beautiful, making the walk very pleasant, even in winter :).

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• Cabourg

The next morning I went for a walk in Cabourg, the westernmost town of the flowered coast. It’s very nice too (and bigger). But I preferred the Houlgate promenade.

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• Deauville

Before returning to Paris I stopped for lunch in Deauville. Well, it’s not the best idea in terms of budget so I just nibble (not much below 17-18E on the main course). In winter it’s really very pleasant, there are already a few people but not too many. On the other hand I dare not imagine in summer! But in my opinion it remains a visit to the flowered coast!

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• Budget

For 2 nights there and from Paris I got 319E excluding fuel.

Some more precise amounts :
– 125,5 for the hotel at Houlgate
– 12,1E for the toll (one way)
– 95E for the massage and SPA afternoon

I had brought small things to nibble on and had breakfast at the hotel so not much to spend on meals.

PS: it was a trip not planned but during the long weeks of confinement I was very happy to have been able to escape a little at the end of 2019!