The harbour and the fish auction
Two basins, a lock, trawlers moored side by side: Port-en-Bessin lands most of the scallops from the Bay of the Seine. Tours of the fish auction can be booked, and the direct sales on the quay are well worth a stop.
Bessin · Calvados
DiscoverDiscovering Port-en-BessinThe home village of the 5-star Camping Portland, in Normandy
The leading fishing port in Calvados, its two harbour basins, its Vauban tower and its cliffs: it all starts at the bottom of the campsite lane.
Port-en-Bessin-Huppain lives to the rhythm of the tide. It is the leading fishing port in Calvados: the trawlers come back with scallops from October to May, the fish auction comes to life at dawn, and the quayside restaurants serve what was landed the day before. Above, the Vauban tower and the Bessin cliffs open onto the Channel. Camping Portland overlooks the village, a few minutes from the harbour basins.
Good to know
The route
From the campsite- 1.5 kmaway
- 5 mindrive
- Chemin du Castelthe route
You walk down to the harbour along the lane, or drive there in three minutes; the quayside car park is free out of season.
On site
How long to allow- 1 hthe harbour and the fish auction
- 30 minthe Vauban tower
- 1 h 30the cliff path
The market is held on Sunday mornings on the quay; direct fish sales take place every day in the late morning.
Useful to know
Planning your visit- Sundaythe quayside market
- Every daydirect fish sales
- Freethe Vauban tower and the cliffs
Tours of the fish auction can be booked through the tourist office. The quayside car park is paying in season and free the rest of the year.
On site
Four stops
The Vauban tower
Built in 1694 to protect the harbour entrance, this round tower served as a lookout post until the 20th century. A short path leads up to it, and the view stretches from the Pointe du Hoc to Arromanches.
The cliffs and the coastal path
The GR 223 passes above the campsite: a two-hour clifftop walk, between the fields and the Channel, to Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes and its limestone cliffs.
The Sunday market
Fish, shellfish, Bessin cheeses, cider and teurgoule: the quayside market is small but entirely local. A good way to fill the cottage fridge.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about Port-en-Bessin
Which campsite should I choose to visit Port-en-Bessin?+
Camping Portland, a five-star Yelloh! Village, is in Port-en-Bessin-Huppain: 1.5 km and 5 minutes' drive. You sleep facing the Channel, between Bayeux and Omaha Beach, in a fully equipped cottage, with a heated water park on site.
How much time should I allow for Port-en-Bessin?+
1 hour for the harbour and the fish auction. 30 minutes for the Vauban tower. 1 h 30 for the cliff path.
How do I get to Port-en-Bessin from the campsite?+
Chemin du Castel: 1.5 km, a 5-minute drive. You walk down to the harbour along the lane, or drive there in three minutes; the quayside car park is free out of season.
Also worth seeing
Our other day trips
Visiting Bayeux
10 km · 12 min from the campsite
Visiting Caen
40 km · 40 min from the campsite
Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel
130 km · 1 h 45 from the campsite
The D-Day beaches
5 km · 10 min from the campsite
Visiting Arromanches-les-Bains
10 km · 15 min from the campsite
The American Cemetery at Colleville
10 km · 15 min from the campsite
The Pointe du Hoc
20 km · 25 min from the campsite
The Longues-sur-Mer batteries
6 km · 10 min from the campsite
Omaha Beach Golf Club
2 km · 5 min from the campsite
Your base camp in Normandy
5-star cottages and a 2,020 m² heated water park, in Port-en-Bessin facing the Channel.
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