Plat Gousset Beach (Plage du Plat Gousset)
About Plat Gousset Beach (Plage du Plat Gousset)
A 900-meter golden sand beach in the heart of Granville, extending from the Casino to Pointe du Lude. The beach features a Belle Époque promenade built from 1859, lined with traditional wooden bathing cabins that have been part of local culture for over 200 years. A natural seawater pool carved into the rocks fills at high tide and offers swimming with a diving platform. The beach holds Blue Flag certification for 11 consecutive years, indicating excellent water quality. Granville experiences some of Europe's most dramatic tidal ranges, with the beach expanding up to 50 meters at low tide. At low tide, rock pools form for exploration and traditional fishing structures become visible. The Chausey Islands are visible offshore. Christian Dior's childhood home and rose gardens sit on the cliffs above, accessible via stairways from the promenade. Lifeguards supervise the beach during summer months. Dogs are not permitted on the beach in summer.
Interesting Facts
The name "Plat Gousset" (flat pocket) has an ironic origin: it referred to visitors who had lost all their money at the adjacent Casino and came to walk on this free promenade with empty pockets. In the 19th century, while wealthy bathers paid for the Casino's exclusive promenade, those with empty "goussets" (the small pocket for pocket watches) could still enjoy the seaside here for free.
Christian Dior spent his childhood in the villa "Les Rhumbs" perched on the cliffs above this beach. In 1925, he personally designed the garden furniture, pergolas, and fish pond for his mother Madeleine's rose garden - these original designs are still visible today. His love for fashion was partly inspired by Granville's Carnival, for which he created elaborate costumes as a child.
The tidal range at Granville reaches up to 12 meters between high and low tide - among the highest in Europe. This dramatic difference completely transforms the beach landscape several times daily. At extreme low tides, the beach expands so dramatically that traditional stone fishing weirs (pêcheries), some dating back centuries, emerge from the sea.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Promenade du Plat Gousset, 50400 Granville, France
Day Routes
Explore all day routesThese carefully curated day itineraries include this attraction and show you exactly how to plan your visit, including transport, timing, and what else to see nearby.
Want to visit this attraction? These routes show you how to get here and what to combine it with.
Multi-day Itineraries
View complete itinerariesPlanning a longer trip? These multi-day itineraries incorporate this attraction into complete travel experiences with accommodation, transport, and daily schedules.
This attraction is featured in comprehensive multi-day trips with full logistics included.
