Located in the north-west of France, Normandy is a region full of colorful landscapes, rugged coasts, extensive valleys and emblematic historical sites. In fact, one of the most important events of the twentieth century took place here, the largest military landing in history , on June 6, 1944, which began the liberation of Europe from German occupation.
Normandy preserves relics of recent events, but also buildings and traces of the past, just think of Rouen and its medieval aspect, Mont Saint-Michel, the town located on the islet that, depending on the tide, can become a hill, with its enchanting abbey. For those who love art, you can visit Monet’s House and Gardens, and those who want to get lost in nature can go hiking on the cliffs of Etrat, naturally smoothed by the action of the Atlantic Ocean and the wind.
Here is everything you need to know about Normandy , France: where it is, when to go and what to see!
Cities and attractions
1 – Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a unique place in the world : for certain moments of the day, when there is high tide, this piece of land characterized by an imposing abbey,it becomes a real island , while in most of the time the sea goes away even for 15 km from the coast.
Over the centuries the abbey lived a troubled history, it was also a state prison. After several changes of its function, during the second half of the 19th century Mont Saint Michel officially became a historical monument, later also a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Only in 1969 did it return to being a place of worship and frequented by a small group of religious.
To get there, you can park your car in the special parking lots on the mainland, then use the free shuttle(they pass continuously in the time slot 7: 30-24: 00), alternatively it is possible to cross the 3 km long suspension bridge on foot. Admission to the interior of the abbey costs € 10.00 (online ticket is recommended), you can walk through its courtyards, cloister and Romanesque crypts.
SEE ALSO : Guide to Mont Saint-Michel: where it is, when to go and what to see
2 – Etretat and its cliffs
On the north-east coast of Normandy there is the small town of Etretat: it is a place that attracts, especially during the summer when the weather is milder, many tourists attracted by the charm of the paths that wind along its imposing cliffs overlooking the sea, but also with the typical blue color that distinguishes the houses in its center.
This locality of the alabaster coast is made up of natural limestone cliffs but also of white chalk cliffs ; the landscape is dominated by a large and particular arch of plaster 90 meters high and called Manneporte. To make this place unique in the world are the two cliffs overlooking the sea, the D’Aval cliff and the d’Amont cliff, where you must go there and admire the splendid view of the sea. On the first you can go up on foot, while to reach the other you can choose between taking a long walk or using the car.
The township of Etretat is really a very small town to walk around, its beach is made of pebbles. We also recommend a visit to the Jardins d’Etretat, a wonderful park from which to admire the surroundings!
3 – Honfleur
The undisputed symbols of Honfleur are the Lieutenance and the Vieux Bassin: the former represents the last bastion of medieval Confleur of which the basement remains, the buildings dating back to the 17th century that housed the apartments of the King’s Lieutenant. Vieux Bassin was created by Duquesne and is elegantly surrounded by beautiful quays , old stone houses with sloping roofs on the quay of St-Etienne contrasting with the houses reaching up to 7 floors of the quay of Ste-Catherine.
Honfleur brilliantly succeeded inpreserve the charm of its suggestive and particular historical center with its cobbled streets, the typical boutiques, the half-timbered facades, the typical restaurants and the richness of its cultural and artistic heritage.
4 – Rouen
Rouen is also known as the Norman city of a hundred bell towers and has remained famous over the centuries for being the place where Joan of Arc was killed , precisely in the square of Vieux-Marche.
Rouen should definitely be explored on foot ! We recommend a guided walking tour, with a local guide who will take you to discover the particular half-timbered housesand the numerous churches including the Gothic one of Saint MaclauI and the nearby Notre Dame Cathedral, rich in canvases by the Impressionist painter Monet and equipped with a 150 m high spire. Then there is the Gros-Horologe, a detail with allegorical figures representing the various phases of the moon.
Then take a walk along the Seine , which divides the city into the right side, which is more ancient and very traditional, and the left side, which is more modern and industrial. In Rouen there are also the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Tournelles, both of which can be visited for free.
5 – Perche Regional
Natural Park The Perche Regional Natural Park in French Parc naturel regional du Perche, is 182,000 hectares large and is perfect for all lovers of outdoor activities, such as horse riding (thanks to the mountain stations), cycling and hiking. Also ideal for those who love tastings and visit splendid abbeys, manors, farms and manicured gardens.
In the heart of the park is the Manoir de Courboyer, the information center located in the Courboyer manor in Noce (Get directions), here you will find an exhibition on the history of the Perche . In addition, an 87 km long tourist circuit also starts from here, from which you can go to the discovery of all the most beautiful manors .
The forests to venture into are Reno-Valdieu and Belleme, perfect places to take long walks and listen to the sounds of naturecalmly and recharge. The Perche eco-museum is also very interesting, especially appreciated by fans of popular arts and traditions.
6 – Chateau Gaillard
The medieval fortress of Chateau-Gaillard is located in Vexin Normand and the building was classified as a Historic Monument only from the second half of the 19th century. The castle was built at the behest of Richard the Lionheart, King of England and Duke of Normandy, between 1196 and 1198 and is a true masterpiece of military architecture .
The building was erected on a cliff with a defensive function, to protect the village of Rouen and the whole duchy from repeated attacks by French troops. During the Hundred Years War it was taken over by the English, and today only the square tower and the foundations of a polygonal perimeter remain , while in the past there were also two other majestic towers and the whole building was surrounded by a stone wall and a bridge connected the fortress to the village.
It is a unique testimony that will take you back in time , preferred not only by lovers of medieval style and art, but also by many annual visitors who want to discover the roots of Normandy.
7 – Giverny
The village of Giverny was born on the right side of the Seine and ebecame famous for being the place from which the famous master of Impressionism , Jean Monet, drew inspiration. It was here that the painter lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. It is also one of the most popular excursions from Paris (87 km), from which guided tours to Giverny on Impressionism depart every day.
You will be impressed by the impressive water gardens , the many varieties of plants including the beautiful water lilies and Japanese style bridges. This splendid earthly paradise is perfectly reflected in the works of the Impressionist painter, to whom the Museum of Impressionism Giverny is dedicated. A tour of Monet’s house and gardens is also not to be missed, a real work of art with its bright colors, a vibrant color garden with the water lily basin. The ticket to visit both the museum and the house dedicated to Monet costs € 9.50, but given the high tourist turnout we recommend the purchase of the guided tour with skip-the-line entry.
8 – Bayeux
The city of Bayeux boasts a rich medieval architectural heritage , with its beautifully preserved historic center, the ancient streets lined with typical half-timbered houses, its Cathedrale de Bayeux (admission € 5.70) in Gothic style, which represents the fulcrum of the villageand was inaugurated in 1077 by William the Conqueror. Also not to be missed is the famous Bayeux Tapestry Museum (admission € 5.00), also known as Queen Matilda’s Tapestry, and which narrates the exploits of William the Conqueror .
Then there are different museums, including the Baron Gerard Museum which collects the most beautiful collections of local art and crafts , the Conservatory of Pizzo and the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy, which expertly traces the events that also tell how Bayeux became the first city liberated on 7 June 1944.
9 – The landing beaches
Some of the most important places in Normandy are the beaches that also marked the history of the whole world: it is a part of the coast that goes from Deauville to Cherbourg, the French region most involved and consumed by bloody battles during the Second World War.
These places offer their visitors extremely suggestive views, but they are also places full of history thus becoming a favorite destination for military history enthusiasts.
We recommend the guided tour of the landing sites, to retrace all the salient stages of the story: the village of Arromanches, where an artificial port was installed during the war for the supply of weapons; Omaha Beach with the Colleville cemetery which houses the remains of American soldiers who died in the battle of Normandy; the Pointe du Hoc promontory overlooking the sea and the Memorial of Caen (€ 14.50) where you can retrace the various phases of the conflict of the Second World War.
10 – Oak of Allouville-Bellefosse
The main attraction of the village of Allouville-Bellefosse is an oak considered the oldest and most long-lived in France , 18 meters high, about 1,200 years old and also having the distinction of having two chapels at the inside of its trunk. It is an ancient Farnia and legend has it that it was planted there in 931,in memory of the birth of the Normandy region .
The village of Allouville-Bellefosse, of Gallic origin, is also known for its pretty center full of shops and artisan shops , in fact in 2010 it received the Special Jury Grand Prize in the competition that awarded cities and villages in bloom. The Nature Museum was founded in 1981 and collects the flora and fauna of the Caux region.
The main itineraries in Normandy
There are so many excursions to do in Normandy , in addition to the usual visits to Gothic-style churches and medieval villages. It is a region that allows you to satisfy every desire and is suitable for both art and city lovers and nature lovers.
The best way to visit it is certainly to rent a car , in order to be free to reach all the towns and points marked on your route!
Here are some interesting itineraries to discover this fascinating region:
- On the trail of Impressionism : starting from Giverny, with Monet’s House and Gardens, the Museum of Impressionism, then a stop in Rouen, whose cathedral was the subject of the painter’s famous series of paintings. Itinerary suitable for a weekend.
- Gastromic tour of Normandy : the region is famous for some culinary specialties, such as the fish recipes of Dieppe, Port-en-Bessin, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, the tasty cheeses of Pont-l’Eveque, Camembert, and the old Fecamp distillery. Tour suitable for one week.
- Tour in the places of the Landing : we go to the places where the events of June 6, 1944 took place, such as the American cemetery of Omaha Beach, the church of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, whose bell tower was entangled by the paratrooper John Stelle and the Memorial Museum of Caen. Itinerary suitable for a weekend.
- On the coast from Etretat to Mont Saint-Micheal : on the white chalk cliffs of the small town of Etretat there are several paths overlooking the sea, among these the most suggestive is the path that leads to the D’Aval cliff, on whose summit it also stands a golf course. The tour ends with the appointment to the unmissable Mont-Saint-Michel, the islet that emerges in the waters of the English Channel. Tour suitable for two days.
What to do in Normandy: excursions and tours
Travel informed: useful information
- Population : 3.2 million
- Capital : Rouen
- Languages : French and Norman
- Local currency : euro (€)
- Climate : Atlantic ocean, average winter temperatures 5 °, average summer temperatures 18 °
- Distance from Italy : 1,495 km (2 hours and 10 minutes by flight) from Rome
- Travel / health insurance : recommended. With us you get a 10% discount and you have full coverage, 24h medical insurance and unlimited telephone advice. Get
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Where it is and how to get there
Normandy is located in the north-west of France , and includes the territory of Upper Normandy, which occupies the valley of the Seine and that of the Cotentin peninsula, which is located in Lower Normandy. It overlooks the English Channel, between the mouth of the Bresle River and that of the Couesnon River.
The only airports in the region are served by seasonal flights, therefore not available all year round. Better to land in Paris (compare flights). The airports are connected by regional trains (90 min / € 24.00 to Rouen, 2h / € 38.00 to Caen), or by coaches connecting Paris to Rouen (2 hours) or Caen (3 hours), cost of the ticket on average and € 13.50.
When to go
Info on climate and best time
Month Average temperatures (min / max) Precipitation (days / mm) January 1/6 ° 13 days / 75 mm
February 1/7 ° 10 days / 60 mm
March 3/11 ° 12 days / 65 mm
April 5/14 ° 11 day / 60 mm
May 8/17 ° 12 days / 75 mm
June 11/20 ° 10 days / 65 mm
July 13/23 ° 9 days / 70 mm
August 13/23 ° 9 days / 65 mm
September 10/20 ° 10 day / 65 mm
October 8/15 ° 12 days / 85 mm
November 4/10 ° 13 days / 75 mm
December 2/7 13 days / 90 mm
- Climate : Atlantic oceanic, winter averages 5 °, summer averages 18 °. Frequent rainfall, more intense from October to January, but also possible in summer, the Atlantic perturbations make the climate in all areas rather variable
- Best period : from May to September, warmer and sunnier, despite the fact that the temperature can drop considerably in the evening
- Period to avoid : From December to February, it often rains and there are very few sunny days
How much does a holiday in Normandy cost
Prices, offers and advice
Normandy’s landscapes must be discovered in their many nuances, which is why the main advice is to travel within the region by car . The closest airports to the region are those of Paris, so once you land in the capital you can rent a car at the airport (starting from € 70.00 per day).
Accommodation costs vary from city to city, it is easier to find a large offer in Rouen or Caen, while in small villages there are few types of accommodation (in all cases the prices are not very cheap). In general, the cost of living is not very different from what it is in Italy.
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 80.00 per room – see the offers
- Low cost flights: starting from € 76.00 – check the offers
- Flight + hotel: Return flight + 5 days / 5 nights from € 546.00 per person – see the offers
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