Normandy beaches for a 15 year old.

[Helen]

We are going to be 'on holiday' in our house in the Suisse Normande in 10 days, time accompanied by our 15 year old daughter but not our son.  This is the first time she has come with us on her own and she isn't best pleased about it!   So we are thinking of places to go that she might enjoy without us embarrassing her too much (difficult, I know). 

Can anyone recommend the best Normandy beaches & associated towns for beach entertainment / shops / attractions (other than WWII museums) that might appeal to her, even if not to us?!  The D-day beaches are easiest for us to reach - we have been to Granville but it is nearly twice the distance.  Are there any beach resorts to the east of the Caen canal?

Thanks

 

 

[LisaJ]

There are some very nice beaches to the east of the canal. We like Villers-sur-Mer the best and the beach is right in the town, Cabourg is good too, but the cafes can be expensive.

regards

Lisa

[Catalpa]

Is she sporty at all? What are her interests? Is she interested in horses? Riding? Racing?? [:D]

I'd maybe take her to Deauville which is a bit glam, Trouville has a more French family feel to it and Honfleur is very pretty but without knowing what might spark her interest, it's difficult to recommend.

[Helen]

Sorry, I tend to forget that teenagers vary, being all too focused on those I know best.  Not horseriding but almost anything else that involves spending money and/or doing things!  The top of her list would be that there were likely to be other teenagers in the vicinity - even if she wasn't actively involved with them, at least she wouldn't feel like (and I quote) 'a sad loser doing middle-aged things'!

Hadn't thought about Deauville and Trouville - 'glam' would be good.

Thanks

 

[Just Katie]

Hi Helen,.

What accomodation are you taking?  Meeting other people of her age will of course be much easier on a campsite.  My daughter went last year with a friend and her parents.  They met loads of people their age, mostly French and willing to show off their English skills.

If you are staying somewhere quieter, would you not consider taking along a friend?  Two years ago, my son was 16 and dug his heels in because he did not want to come on holiday with us and, it turned out to be a complete waste of money.  He sulked and moaned for a fortnight. 

Most teenagers have no interest in culture and pretty stone villages and your daughter sounds typical of this normal behaviour therefore another idea would be to drop her off at the nearest Mac Donalds or Haagen Das Parlour and enjoy a well earned break from her [:-))]

Edit Well for a few hours at least

[Helen]

We will be in our own house - in deepest Normandy - which in principle she doesn't mind too much provided she's allowed to sleep plenty and go to the local bar for internet access!  But this is the first time on her own and it has turned out that way at short notice which has meant she hasn't been able to find a friend to take with her.  And it's a whole week rather than a few days, which is why we are trying to think of something other than sleep and MSN!

Three years to go and counting....(well sometimes)!

[tinabee]

I know its not a beach, but Caen is well worth a trip. Lots of pedestrian areas with shops and teenagers hanging out in coffee shops.

http://www.tourisme.caen.fr/anglais/sejour/commerces/index.asp

Also, there is a street entertainment festival on every friday in Bagnoles-de-l'Orne (free)

http://www.bagnolesdelorne.com/animations/sous-rubriques/vendredis-ete.htm

Of you could try Bellefontaine Park which is open to the public for summer buffets and has entertainment (there may well be other teenagers here)

http://www.bellefontaine-park.com/facilities.html

[Alane]

We kept our teenage daughters and nephew entertained at Deauville on the sand yachts (I think that's what they are called - they are contraptions with a big sail like a yacht's but with wheels)- and me too if I'm honest. Lots of other teenagers around as well. There are also other sports activities as well as cafes right by the boardwalk along the beach. Very chic with some (very) expensive shopping as well if that is her thing.

 

[Chancer]

I laughed at the "sad loser doing middle aged things" [:)] that is exactly how I felt as a teenager on holiday with my parents and there was not even MSN!

Now middle aged what will I be doing for a holiday this year with my young, not teenage nor middle aged french girlfriend? Going on holiday to England visiting all the places that my parents dragged me to that I hated so much.

I could have saved myself so much money if I had been more mature and appreciated these places when I was younger, money that could be spent visiting other places not revisiting.

Sand yachting is a hoot if you can persuade a teenager that it is cool enough for them to consider, I wanted to suggest it but the beaches I know are too far from you.

[oscar]

If she's interested in fashion, I know you said it's a long way, but there's the Christian Dior museum at Granville and the town itself has lots of nice shops, bars and restaurants.  Could be a good place for a long day out at the beach, museum, shops and dinner.  Oh and if glam is what you want, there's also a casino, although I don't think they'd let your daughter in!

I agree, Caen is a pretty cool place to hang out, lots of bars and restaurants and shops.

Don't forget it's your holiday too though!

[Harvey]

This is the web address for the Sand Yachting Club on Omaha Beach - it will give you an idea of prices etc, they speak english if you email them.

http://www.eolia-normandie.com/

[Helen]

Well, we're just back from our week in Normandy with the reluctant teenager, and I think all had a good time.  In the end we went to Franceville and Cabourg beaches which worked as a good combination for both parents and daughter and we will do again - the clothes shops in Cabourg provided an enjoyable alternative to sand and icecreams. 

We also all went kayaking down the Orne and to the new Orne Adventure high-ropes course in the trees at Roche d'Oetre.  Both provided happy afternoons for all three of us - and in both cases, said-daughter was much the most competent, giving us coaching and looking out for our safety rather than vice versa (the first time we have experienced this role reversal, no doubt not the last!)The high ropes course was great fun for all (youngish) ages - there are two routes for children (aged 5+ and over 1.15m) and four for teenagers & adults. Needless to say we only managed the easiest ones, whilst she swung her way confidently around the black route. 

Sand yachting will wait for next time.  I like to think that we oldies might do better at that as we sail dinghies - but somehow I fear that will not be the case.....!

Thanks for the other suggestions - logged for future use.

Hope you are all enjoying the summer too.

 

[Just Katie]

Great news Helen.  It takes me back to the lovely holiday I had in Pyrenees with my two, aged 13 and 15.  It was such an outdoorsy time and I found myself being pushed into things I normally would not have done.  White water rafting, cable car up to Monge, paragliding off a mountain higher than Ben Nevis, mountain biking.  I did the lot and wont forget any of it.