Inside Sandrine Bonnaire’s Seaside Escape
By Bertrand Bielle | Journalist
Curious by nature, Bertrand takes us on a little jaunt to the sea—because who wouldn’t want to escape the big city for some salt air and sandy toes? Passionate about football? Sure, but let’s face it: there’s nothing like the thrill of celebrity gossip mixed with coastal charm and a side of nostalgia.
Sandy Shores and Fond Memories
Ah, Sandrine Bonnaire—a name that rolls off the tongue like a fine Bordeaux. This November 10, she graces our screens on France 2 in a delightful feature titled “A Sunday in the Country“. But wait, there’s more! She also has a charming little casa just a stone’s throw from the waves—30 meters, to be precise! Yes, that’s closer to the ocean than I am to my dreams of playing in the Premier League!
Now, this sandy paradise is located just near Cabourg, ranked the seventh most popular small town in France. It’s the sort of place where you can sip your espresso, admire the picturesque architecture, and pretend you’re in a French film where everyone is existentially glorious.
In an exclusive interview, our lovely Sandrine shared, “I have a house in Normandy, which I go to regularly. When I want to leave Paris and I haven’t organized anything regarding travel, this is where I go. Plus it’s 30 meters from the sea; it’s very nice!” She certainly knows how to do relaxation. No need for extensive travel planning when you’ve got a slice of heaven awaiting you. Sounds familiar, right? Like those ‘staycations’ we all play at but usually just end up on the couch, rewatching Friends.
A House of History
But what’s even juicier is the backstory. Bonnaire acquired this lovely abode to draw her mother closer to her, who previously resided in Auvergne. A noble sentiment, although one wonders if she could have possibly thought of a slightly less permanent location for her mother—like a beachside condo or a five-star resort, perhaps? Alas, her mom did not live long enough to enjoy the benefits of the view, leaving Sandrine with a lovely heritage house and a smattering of bittersweet memories.
Cabourg: The Jewel of Normandy
Our petite town of Cabourg is a real gem, with all the Norman architectural charm that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside—like finding a tenner in your jacket pocket. Forbes describes it as “less upscale than Deauville over the years,” but hey, what do they know? Cabourg boasts its beaches, charm, and the prestigious Cabourg Film Festival—where Bonnaire herself played a major role in history, getting hitched to the screenwriter of The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain.
As all good stories go, if walls could talk, I imagine Bonnaire’s seaside wonder would have plenty to say about love, laughter, and films that make you question every decision in your life. So next time you’re considering a quick getaway, remember: sometimes all you need is a little coastal charm and a long stretch of beach—all within 30 meters.
A Touch of Glamour
Finally, let’s not forget the illustrious connection of Cabourg—with the likes of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg making their mark there. It’s a place where history, nostalgia, and a sprinkle of fame come together like a well-mixed cocktail. So if you’re thinking of combining your love for film and sand between your toes, perhaps start hunting for a little plot of land in Cabourg, just don’t forget to invite me for a glass of wine!
In conclusion, while Sandrine enjoys her slice of Normandy paradise and the waves lap at her doorstep, perhaps we should all take a page from her book: find a lovely escape, conjure up some beautiful memories, and who knows, maybe we’ll all find a bit of fame along the way!
Until next time, keep your binoculars at the ready—who knows what scoop will wash ashore next?
By Bertrand Bielle | Journalist
Curious by nature, Bertrand is always on the lookout for the slightest little scoop. Passionate about football, he is never far from football and all the news that comes with it. However, showbiz or political events are also part of his privileged journalistic research.
Sandrine Bonnaire, who can be found this November 10 on “France 2” in “A Sunday in the Country”, owns a charming house located very close to the sea, next to a very attractive town in France.
Sandrine Bonnaire, owner of a house 30 meters from the sea, near the 7th most popular small town in France
The rest after the ad
Where does Sandrine Bonnaire live, whom Frédéric Lopez welcomes into A Sunday in the countryside this November 10? She is based in Paris. But she also has a base in another region of the country. “I have a house in Normandy, which I go to regularly. When I want to leave Paris and I haven’t organized anything regarding travel, this is where I go. Plus it’s 30 meters from the sea, it’s very nice !“, had told the pretty blonde for France Blue in July 2022.
“It’s a house which is very close to Cabourg. Why there, because it’s a house that I bought for my mother, who lived in Auvergne. We wanted to bring her closer to us. And let it be with nature. It was a good compromise. She finally left this house because she could no longer live there (she died, editor’s note). It’s a house that I kept, which became mine. It’s a family house, what…”, she added, she who had met the screenwriter and dialogue writer Guillaume Laurant – known for having co-written The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain -, the father of his second daughter Adèle (born in 2004) at the Cabourg Film Festival. They got married there in 2003, at the Town Hall.
Cabourg, a very popular town
Note that according to Forbes, Cabourg is the seventh most popular small town in France. “Less upscale than Deauville over the years, Cabourg has nothing to envy (…) There you will find all the Norman architectural charm and the magic of its coast as far as the eye can see. On the beaches as far as the eye can see, come and watch the riders at low tide, harnessed or mounted, it’s a real spectacle“, we can read, in this ranking where the municipalities of Normandy are omnipresent.
We know, for example, that this region was also very popular with Jane Birkin. With Serge Gainsbourg, they acquired a historic building in Calvados in the early 1970s. The house was sold in 1991 when the singer died.
This is where I go. Plus it’s 30 meters from the sea; it’s very nice!” Sandrine Bonnaire’s charming abode exemplifies a perfect getaway, allowing her to escape the hustle and bustle of Paris and unwind by the beautiful coastline of Normandy.
Nestled just near the picturesque town of Cabourg, often cited as the seventh most popular small town in France, her seaside retreat promises both idyllic vistas and a dose of local culture. With its rich history, unique architecture, and the legendary Cabourg Film Festival—where Sandrine herself played a significant role—this charming town stands out as a beacon for artists, cinephiles, and relaxation seekers alike.
As we are drawn into the enchanting stories of Bonnaire’s heritage house, we are reminded of the tender ties that bind us to our loved ones and the places we cherish. While the gentle waves lap at her doorstep, it seems there’s no better reminder for all of us: taking time for a scenic escape can soothe the soul, create lasting memories, and perhaps even inspire a unique story of our own.
So, if you ever find yourself dreaming of a retreat just steps away from the sea, think of Cabourg and the French film magic that lingers there. Who knows? You might just craft your own tale worthy of the silver screen.
