Location
France
Status
Officially Designated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
June to September
About Plage de La Redoute
La Redoute is the naturist area of Merville-Franceville-Plage, on the Calvados coast east of the Orne estuary, a short drive from Cabourg and Ouistreham. The long beach of Merville-Franceville is split into zones: a lifeguarded swimming beach towards the town centre, then a kitesurf zone, and finally, at the western end near the mouth of the Orne at the place called La Redoute, a stretch reserved for naturism. The nude area sits in front of high, attractive dunes that give shelter from the wind, and it is marked by signage and tall white posts flying the flags of the French naturist federation. It is one of very few naturist beaches in Normandy and is described by the regional tourist office as officially recognised. The big drawback is that swimming is banned here: currents at the estuary mouth are strong, and the beach is unsupervised, so most visitors come to sunbathe and walk rather than swim.
Getting there
From Merville-Franceville, take the D514 towards Ouistreham and follow signs for La Redoute; there is a large free car park behind the dunes. From the car park, sandy paths cross the dunes to the beach in a few minutes; the naturist section is the westernmost part, towards the Orne estuary, between the flagpoles. There is no step-free route over the dunes.
What visitors say
Regular visitors, many of them couples, describe the beach as pleasant and well sheltered by the dunes, with a respectful naturist atmosphere. The recurring complaint is that swimming is not allowed. Several reviews from 2016 to 2021 mention single men walking up and down and occasional voyeurs, particularly at weekends, and one long-time visitor said the nude area had spread beyond its authorised limits. Recent comments (2026) still rate the views highly.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
The Normandie Pays d'Auge tourist office describes La Redoute as officially recognised as a naturist beach, with signs and flags marking it out; a local tourism page dates the area to 1993, while a 2016 visitor comment cites an authorised zone of 200 × 50 m since 2005. Swimming is prohibited at this end because of estuary currents, and the beach is unsupervised (2026).
Naturism at Plage de La Redoute sits under France's rules for officially designated nude beaches — explicit protection inside the marked area.
Full country law: France public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 49.2875, -0.2224
Visitor tips
- 1 Official designation: nudity is protected inside the marked area.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in France
Frequently asked questions
Is La Redoute an official naturist beach?
Yes. The regional tourist office lists it as officially recognised, and the area is marked with signs and FFN flags.
Can I swim there?
No. Swimming is banned near the Orne estuary because of strong currents, and there are no lifeguards. Swim at the supervised beach towards the town centre instead.
Where is the nude section?
At the western end of the Merville-Franceville beach, beyond the kitesurf zone, near the Orne estuary, between the white flagpoles.
Is there parking?
Yes, a large free car park at La Redoute, reached via the D514 towards Ouistreham.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
Members’ reviews
Write a review →Loading member reviews…