Houlgate (French pronunciation: [ulɡat] ⓘ) is a small tourist resort in northwestern France along the English Channel with a beach and a casino.

On the southern side of the stream was Le Hameau de la Mer, consisting of a few houses, a tile and brick works and a water mill.

The company was formed by three men, a financier, a lawyer and a member of parliament, who bought most of the land, divided it into properties, drew the lines for streets and built a wall protecting the developing town from the sea.

The walk below the cliffs separating Dives-sur-Mer and Houlgate soon became history when the railway line was built along the south side of the estuary of the river Dives.

On September 6, 1912, early French aviator Roland Garros took off from the beach of Houlgate to break the world altitude record.

[4][5] Like all communes of France, Houlgate experienced a general mobilisation as men were called up to fight in the Great War in 1914.

In 1943 the Wehrmacht concentrated on the construction of the Atlantic Wall, laying barbed wire, concrete bunkers, and anti-tank obstacles.

[8] Ninety men of No.9 Commando travelled across the English Channel on HMS Prince Leopold and landed at the bottom of the Vaches Noires.

[10][11] By 21 August, the Germans had abandoned the town, and the British Army along with Belgian soldiers of the Brigate Piron entered Houlgate.

Philippe Bellanger, officer of the Haras Nationaux and Jean Larigauderie opened the club to promote riding that once been part of the history of Houlgate and to lead riders on trips to the beach and to the surrounding countryside.

The thirtieth anniversary of the organ was celebrated in 2004 with a concert led by Jean-François Moisson as well as an exhibition by Father Lefèvre.

[16] The manor in Beuzeval was converted into flats in 1980 and Mr de Lovinfosse (former owner of Union Chimique Belge) bought the grounds and built a 9-hole golf course.

In 2005, the change of the commune's name to Houlgate was celebrated with a Belle Epoque centenary festival, with many local people, including the mayor, dressed in traditional 1900s (decade) clothing.

[19][20] Houlgate is a common variation in Normandy of Norrois origin: "holr gata" "chemin creux" (deep path).

[22] Some explain this name as meaning "vallée des Boeufs" (valley of oxen); others give it a Germanic origin.

The douet (Normand variation of ruisseau or stream) Drochon (once spelt Drauchon) finds its name from the Germanic Drogo or Drogone.

To the East of Houlgate and below Auberville and West of Villers-sur-Mer lie the impressive wild site of the Falaises des Vaches Noires, the cliffs of the black cows.

[23] The first photographs of the Butte de Houlgate show a barren hill,[24] and so the SCI quickly planted trees.

In 1928, the municipal council voted to create a picturesque zone, or green-belt, to protect it from further building and maintain its character.

Their son, Albéric de Saint-Philbert donated the field called le Clapier to build the current church of Saint-Aubin.

Up the Chemin des Rouge Terres 2 km (1.2 mi) from Houlgate town centre is the Château de Dramard, a 17th-century manor house built in limestone with a large central section with two small wings.

In 1616, the château was bought by Pierre de Dramard, then councillor to the King, who became sire of Gonneville, Beuzeval and Mennetot.

The Grand Hotel was built in 1858 for Aubin Albin Vergnile, a financier and president of the Caisse Centrale de l'Industrie, under the direction of the architect Baumier.

The decision was made during a council meeting and also decided the construction of a boys school and part funding for a new church.

Once built, two rooms houses the post office for letters and telegraphs (which were relayed to the semaphore on top of the Butte de Houlgate).

In June 1897, the municipal council voted to cover the walls of the village hall and to buy 150 chairs at a cost of 5.60₣ each.

This complex of buildings, all in wooden planks, was built to carry two functions, a casino and baths as well as an entertainment centre for tourists.

The town has two small supermarkets (Proxy Market and 8 à huit) and a range of typical shops such as butcher, baker, fishmonger, and newsagent.

Due to the proximity of the fishing fleet at Dives-sur-Mer, fishmongers and market stall keepers sell fresh seafood, usually harvested in the early morning (depending on the tide).

Because the town was built for the purpose of tourism, Houlgate is not particularly known for its industry, nevertheless on 18 March 1852 the Patrelle Company was founded, specialising in aroma.