GR®223 - Pirou-Pont - Coutainville-Plage

This 19 km stage takes you to discover the treasures of the west coast, including a château, beach huts, the Côte des Havres and a family-friendly seaside resort. Starting in the village of Pirou, head towards Pirou-Pont to reach the château. Enjoy a stop at this medieval site, which is one of the best preserved in Normandy. The Château de Pirou is steeped in Viking legends and magical myths!

Carry on towards Pirou-Plage and walk along the seafront. Further on, you’ll head through the dunes for a stretch, before reaching Geffosses inlet, a picturesque estuary that’s a haven for birds. After the inlet, there are more dunes to cross to get to the slipway in Anneville-sur-Mer. Then carry on along the marked path through the dunes, past campsites and little houses: Gouville-sur-Mer is not far now!

You’ll reach the beach car park in Gouville-sur-Mer. This section of the GR223 takes you past the beach huts with multicoloured roofs: an unmissable site! These huts date back to the First World War. Destroyed by the Germans, they were rebuilt and are now passed down from generation to generation. Leaving these little huts behind you, carry on walking through the dunes, past the guardhouse in Gouville-sur-Mer before reaching Blainville-sur-Mer inlet.

Blainville inlet, known for oyster farming, lies along the GR223 and changes with the tides. Take the footpath to the holiday village, then turn right along the fence of the oyster farming zone. Next, walk along the D651. Note: the sea covers this area during the spring tides (coefficients of more than 100). Go round the campsite then walk along the D651 again, to the roundabout at the entrance to Blainville-sur-Mer.

You’re on the last stretch of this stage! Leave Blainville-sur-Mer on the left and take the D2444. Here, cross the bridge to get to the slipway. If you are a bit peckish, there are some nice eateries here: oysters from Chez Le Père Gus or moules frites at the restaurant La Cale. Next, cross the dunes behind the restaurant towards La Poulette, the famous beach hut that’s been standing since 1926. It marks the entrance to the seaside resort of Agon-Coutainville. Now simply walk along the seafront to Coutainville.