DiscoverCriel-sur-Mer & Mesnil-Val

Discover Criel-sur-Mer and Mesnil-Val

Tranquility and Preserved Natural Beauty

Looking for a peaceful, family-friendly holiday destination? Look no further—Criel-sur-Mer has everything to win you over. This charming coastal town has found the perfect balance between nature and the authenticity of its historic center. Enjoy the pebble beaches of Criel and Mesnil-Val with their pretty colorful beach huts, discover local heritage, or set off on the walking paths that invite you to fully disconnect.

Download the tourist circuit of Criel-sur-Mer2MB

Getting there

©Plage De Criel Sur Mer|cdt76 - H. Salah

Webcam de Criel-sur-Mer

Between Sea, Salt Meadows and Valley

With its diversity of landscapes, Criel highlights the perfect blend between land and sea.

Relax on Criel Beach

Peaceful and family-oriented, Criel Beach and its colorful huts offer a moment of pure relaxation. Breathe in the sea air, listen to the waves breaking on the pebbles, and watch children play.

Like a postcard, the cliffs frame the beach on both sides. For food lovers, the restaurant terraces offer a warm and welcoming moment to share as a couple or with family.

©Découverte des premiers bains de mer en famille sur la plage paisible de Criel-sur-Mer|S. Hooghart

A 360° View

Escape and Unwind

Near the beach, discover the salt meadows of Criel-sur-Mer. This wetland area has been listed as a Natura 2000 site to help protect and preserve the biodiversity that has developed over the years. Along with being an environmentally sensitive area, it also serves as a natural reservoir during high floods, protecting parts of the town from water overflow.

Continue your walk along the Chemin des Soupirs, where you will find the starting point of many hikes, including the GR 21 and the loops of Mont Jolibois and Sang-Roy.

At the Mouth of the Yères

Criel-sur-Mer lies at the mouth of the verdant Yères Valley and stretches from the beach up to the town center, forming the Lower Valley.

Crossed from end to end by the coastal river Yères, dotted with wetlands and meadows, this valley is a true haven of nature. Flora and fauna thrive here, including several rare species. It is also a natural space cherished by lovers of open landscapes. Observant visitors will notice that some historical remains hide within this preserved environment. Anglers will find plenty to enjoy along the Yères, a river rich in a variety of fish species and lined with fishing spots throughout the valley’s villages.

Explore the Yères Valley

The Historic Heart

As you wander through the streets of the town center, discover the Manoir de Briançon, a late 16th-century building made of stone, brick and flint. It once belonged to “La Grande Mademoiselle” (cousin of King Louis XIV), who turned it into an orphanage and a school for girls.

Continue your walk to Saint-Aubin Church, listed as a historic monument since 1930. Its exterior is remarkable, especially its axe-shaped roof, typical of the Normandy region. Inside, admire its Gothic style and architectural features.

Finish your stroll at the Château de Chantereine, a lovely 18th-century residence. Now used as a lodging facility, the château once belonged to the Grimaldi family of Monaco.

Staying in Criel-sur-Mer & Mesnil-Val

Whether you’re visiting Criel-sur-Mer and Mesnil-Val for a day or planning a longer stay, explore our activity ideas, accommodation options and restaurants perfect for food lovers.