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15/07/2008, 23:30 Helen Joined on 07/01/2007 61 & Reading Posts 59 Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. 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        Report

16/07/2008, 7:35 LisaJ Joined on 17/10/2004 Posts 127 Re: Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. 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    Report

16/07/2008, 9:12 Catalpa Joined on 23/08/2004 Southern Manche - 50 Posts 1,543 Re: Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. Is she sporty at all? What are her interests? Is she interested in horses? Riding? Racing?? 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.    Report

16/07/2008, 13:04 Helen Joined on 07/01/2007 61 & Reading Posts 59 Re: Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. 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      Report

16/07/2008, 13:17 Just Katie Joined on 11/03/2006 Posts 3,764 Re: Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. 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 The immigrant in the attic    Report

16/07/2008, 14:37 Helen Joined on 07/01/2007 61 & Reading Posts 59 Re: Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. 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)!    Report

16/07/2008, 16:11 tinabee Joined on 24/09/2007 61 Orne Posts 107 Re: Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. 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 TB    Report

16/07/2008, 19:02 Alane Joined on 23/08/2004 27 Posts 331 Re: Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. 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.   Best Regards Alan    Report

17/07/2008, 12:43 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 2,129 Re: Normandy beaches for a 15 year old. 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.    Report

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