From the Mont-Saint-Michel to Le Tréport, the Normandy coast stretches for almost 600 kilometres. 12 beaches have now been awarded the Handiplage label and developments will continue over the coming years to better meet the criteria for accessible tourism.
The Handiplage Label in Normandy
The Handiplage Label is awarded to beaches with equipment and facilities adapted for people with reduced mobility. The label is awarded at four levels, depending on the facilities on offer: equipment for moving around on the sand and getting into the water, accesible sanitary facilities within 100 metres, accessible changing rooms, etc.
To date, the Manche ‘département’ (county) has six Label 1 beaches:
Donville-les-Bains, Surtainville, Sciotot, Gouville-sur-Mer – La Cale beach and the Centre beach, Le Rozel + one Label 2 beach: Siouville.
The Calvados county has four Label 1 beaches:
Langrune-sur-Mer, Trouville-sur-Mer and Villers-sur-Mer – Mermoz beach et Jean Moulin beach.
The Seine-Maritime county has one Label 1 beach:
Le Tréport + one Label 3 beach: Le Havre.
Conditions for obtaining the label
Level 1
Supervised beach
First aid post nearby
Parking (GIG – GIC standard)
Boats on access footpaths near the site
Access from car park to swimming area
Reception area (hard floor)
Amphibious equipment for moving around on the sand and getting into the water
Wheelchair accessible toilets less than 100 metres away
Disabled pictogram sign at the entrance to the site
Display of ‘sanitary instructions’ and procedures for using beach equipment
Telephone for beach information and reservation of amphibious equipment
Level 2
Adapted shower with flexible hose
Presence of trained lifeguards (swimming assistance)
Telephone and website for beach information and reservations for bathing assistance
Information available on accessible tourism providers (near the beach)
Level 3
Accessible changing room or PRM changing cubicle
‘Handiplage’ signs at the entrances to the town
Display of beach regulations (in three languages) (not compulsory)
Level 4
Shelter from the sun
Equipment for the visually impaired: FASE system
A handiplagist dedicated to accompanying the blind or an ‘audioplage’ system
A number of beaches in Normandy (labelled or not) offer the Tiralo. This device allows people with reduced mobility to access the beach. It can be used on any type of ground, sand or pebbles, and makes bathing safer. The person with reduced mobility must be accompanied by a person responsible for applying the safety instructions.
Water activities for all
[Tourisme & Handicap Label]
The Cherbourg-en-Cotentin sailing school welcomes small groups of young people for accessible sailing trips. The school is run by two sports instructors specially trained to teach sailing to this group. The group sailing boat, designed for all types of disabilities, can accommodate ten people. The school was awarded the HandiVoile label in 2002.
Useful information
Ecole de voile de Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
Place Napoléon
50 100 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
02 33 94 99 00
[email protected]
ecole-voile-cherbourg.com
[Tourisme & Handicap Label]
The Bédanne nautical base in Seine-Maritime, near Rouen, also organises introductory sailing sessions led by the CVSAE team and specialised instructors trained in therapeutic sailing for people with disabilities.
Useful Information
Base Nautique de Bédanne
5 voie du Mesnil
76410 Tourville la Rivière
02 35 87 91 89
[email protected]
bedanne.com
As well as:
The Courseulles sailing school and the Asnelles nautical leisure centre have both been awarded the “Norm’Handi” Label for welcoming people with motor, mental, hearing or visual disabilities.
Tourism for all in the ‘Coeur de Nacre’ area
In Calvados, the Coeur de Nacre Tourist Office is particularly committed to accessible tourism. In June 2019, it was awarded the Accessible Tourism Trophy in the tourist information category. The team, trained in welcoming people with disabilities, is drawing up an inventory of the region’s accessible tourism offer to ensure a quality welcome. It also offers te following:
- Accessible documentation
- Audio files to listen to
- A wheelchair available free of charge at every tourist office
- Adapted guided tours
Thematics