Where to drink in Normandy, from beach bars to cabaret nights
There are plenty of nice places for a drink in Normandy, whether you're in town or by the sea. Things ramp up a notch from the beginning of May to the end of August, when you can drink and dance with your feet in the sand in many of the region's best beach bars. If you're looking for an all-night party atmosphere, it's better to head to one of the chic Cabourg and Deauville clubs. You'll also find beer pubs, cabaret shows, wine bars and local drinks aplenty – namely cider, Pommeau (apple juice and apple brandy), perry and, of course, Calvados.
Le Goéland 1951, Réville
On the north-east coast of the Cotentin Peninsula, you'll find Le Goéland 1951. This bar was voted one of the ten best beach bars in France. It’s not surprising. Located on the Jonville beach point, it enjoys a splendid view of the fishing boats passing by and the island of Tatihou. It's only open from the end of April till the end of August, but it’s a great spot to have a drink or and enjoy the weekend DJ mixes. Try the Caipirinha Goëland or the Mojito Goëland with dark rum. Food, with an emphasis on seafood and fish dishes, is also available. You can even have very decent fish and chips as you sit and watch the boats bob by.
Contact: 00 33 972 83 94 07; Facebook page
Price: £
Opening times: Wed-Sun, 12pm-1am
Getting in: Casual
Le Bambou, Jullouville
Le Bambou may be one of Jullouville’s longstanding institutions, but it somehow manages to remain relatively secret. This may be in part due to the fact there's no website or Facebook page, and it's only open in the summer. Hence it mainly attracts locals and regular in-the-know holiday makers. It's just 50 yards away from the beach, and you’ll still have your feet in the sand on the terrace, and even inside. With its comfortable armchairs and coffee tables outside and its large bar inside surrounded by family photos and postcards, the Bambou is a very friendly bar. There's no Wi-Fi here either – you’ll come to enjoy a night of encounters, live music and great cocktails. The mojito is a must.
Contact: 00 33 233 61 84 31; Facebook page
Price: £
Opening times: Sun-Mon, 3pm-8.30pm; Tues-Thurs, 3pm-9pm; Fri-Sat, 3pm-2am; see website for July and August opening times
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Le Volet qui Penche, Bayeux
This Bayeux wine cellar and bar in the old town of Bayeux, just a few minutes' walk from the cathedral and the tapestry, is the ideal spot to have a drink in the evening. Owner and wine expert Pierre-Henri Lemessier has transformed the little stone house overlooking the Aure river into a warm and welcoming place where you’ll be tempted by the great choice of wines and local alcoholic drinks such as cider, Pommeau (apple juice and apple brandy), perry and, of course, Calvados. A wine tasting night and live music gigs occur every week during the spring and summer season. It’s also possible to have a good-value lunch or dinner if you start to feel peckish – expect traditional French bistro dishes such as onion soup, escargots and beef tartare.
Contact: 00 33 231 21 98 54; levoletquipenche.fr
Price: £
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 10am-11pm; Sat, 4pm-11pm
Getting in: Casual
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L’Hydropathe, Caen
'Hydropathe' is used to describe a person who can’t drink water because it makes him or her sick – so you can easily guess what they don't serve at L'Hydropathe bar in Caen. This charming spot is in fact a wine bar with a large hand-picked selection of wines from all over the world. Inside people mingle at the long wooden bar or at the high wooden tables. The old building’s original stone walls bring an authentic feel to the place. Outside a heated terrace offers more tables. Charcuterie and cheese boards are a nice addition to your evening.
Contact: 00 33 2 31 47 84 60; Facebook page
Price: £
Opening times: Tues-Sat, 12pm-1am
Getting in: Casual
Le Point Bar, Deauville
Deauville is one of the chicest towns in Normandy, and so its nightlife is similarly so: try town centre club Le Point Bar. In this bar, lounge and nightclub you can dance and drink till 6am if you wish. Cocktails are good but expect to spend a lot: remember you are in Deauville, one of France’s most expensive and flashiest seaside resorts. Interiors are modern, with red and gold hues, and many mirrors and lights. The club is not specialised in one type of music, instead the DJs flit from genre to genre. This is also a good place for people watching, you may even spot a celebrity.
Contact: 00 33 638 55 78 78; le-point-bar.com
Price: ££
Opening times: Wed-Sat, 11pm-6am
Getting in: Dress code
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Le Gatsby, Cabourg
Nightclub Le Gatsby is set in an old cinema in the vibrant seaside resort of Cabourg. Its DJs in residence, who run the show from a balcony overlooking the huge 90 sq metre dance floor, manage to create a party feel worthy of Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s hero nights. Themed nights are also on the menu, with regular Eighties and Nineties music nights and dress-up parties. There are two bars and cosy areas to sit with tables and chairs. As for what to imbibe? Opt for champagne as the club has a good selection.
Contact: 00 33 231 95 22 80; gatsby-cabourg.fr
Price: ££
Opening times: Fri-Sat, 11.30pm-7am
Getting in: Dress code
Le Trappist, Le Havre
Craft beer amateurs and aficionados, Le Trappist is where you should spend a long evening in Le Havre. You’ll discover the savoir-faire of Belgian Trappists through the bar’s wide range of beers from Belgium monasteries and breweries. New beers, ales and stouts are regularly introduced to be tasted. Go for a beer labelled "Authentic Trappist Product" to be sure about its quality and ask for recommendations according to your taste. In this pub-like late night bar – open from 6pm till 2am – football and rugby fans can watch matches and there are DJ nights at least once a month. Check their Facebook page for details, and except more young clientele these nights!
Contact: 00 33 0235 21 29 94; Facebook page
Price: £
Opening times: Mon-Sun, 4pm-2am
Getting in: Casual
L’Abri-Côtier, Le Havre
L'Abri-Côtier has a welcoming wooden terrace overlooking Le Havre beach. All sorts of cocktails, rums from all over the world and beers are on the menu. You can also order snacks (onion rings, samosas, bruschettas and pizza slices) to compliment the drinks and enjoy DJ nights, gigs and other regular events. Just check the bar’s Facebook page for details. With its palm and coconut trees on the terrace, l’Abri-Côtier has a feel of a Caribbean beach shack.
Contact: 00 33 235 42 51 20; Facebook page
Price: £
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 4pm-2am;Sun, 4pm-9pm
Getting in: Casual
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L’Etoile Cabaret, Rouen
How about a cabaret night? Rouen has a great one in its city centre that will give you the impression of being in one of the best Parisian such as The Moulin Rouge or Chez Michou. At L’Etoile Cabaret, you’ll be entertained by stand-up comedians, burlesque dancers, and impersonation performers while having dinner and drinks. And for those who want the show to go on, L’Etoile Cabaret has also a club called La Suite where customers can dance till the end of the night in three different rooms with diverse music styles.
Contact: 00 33 235 03 10 10; Facebook page
Price: £
Opening times: See facebook page
Getting in: Casual
