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In the 11th century, sheltered in a valley where the river "Drochon" ran, bustled about a small village of fishermen and farmers breeding their cows in the numerous pasturelands of Beuzeval, a village that has led to the new town of « Houlgate » 800 years laterread more...

Around 1850, Beuzeval, on the left bank of the Drochon, soon became Beuzeval-les-Bains for some clients indulging in sea bathing. Through lack of space and to develop a seaside resort worthy to be called that way, the first estate agency of Beuzeval built some lands on the right bank of the Drochon near the black cows 'cliffs, in the place name « Houlgate »…That name has been kept. A great hotel has been built, then a casino and a spa. Thus, « Beuzeval-Houlgate » can accommodate the rich clientele that built more than 500 villas on both banks of the Drochon. But meanwhile, Beuzeval-les-Bains accommodated protestant clients, built its own casino and spa and and extended its family hotel becoming a great hotel : therefore there are 2 resorts in the same town and based on 2 different models  : a resort standing out from a farm village and a new resort totally created from nothing.

Houlgate, « the treasure of the flowery coast»

Houlgate has been called « the treasure of the flowery coast » for 100 years, not surprising for it has kept the charm of the "Belle Epoque" with its 300 villas built in the middle and at the end of the 19th century with eclectic and neo-Norman styles. Thus, the resort is known as a « seaside architectural reference » read more...

There is such a richness as regards to the cultural heritage that you are offered various guided tours. A travel through times and you are offered countries while contemplating facades… It's the principle of the architecture known as « eclectic » : all the styles are represented.
Houlgate has an « imposing » extra asset « Les Falaises des Vaches Noires » stretching on 6km and culminating 100 metres high. Of scientific and environmental interest this site delights walkers, scientists and fossil lovers (visits of the paleo).
These cliffs are covered with a vegetation proper to temperate zones : thorny shrubs or sea buckthorns and give shelter to a sedentary fauna that can be observed all the year long  : black-headed gulls, gulls and various mammals.