Normandy

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Visit Normandy, France

The great charm of Normandy lies in the beautiful countryside and the lovely local architecture, with many half-timbered buildings. The region oozes history, from Mont Saint Michel to Chateau Gaillard; there is attractive coastline to explore; and the important sights of the Normandy Landing beaches and the Bayeux tapestry are also very popular - Normandy is truly a region with something for everyone!

Normandy is on the coast of north-west France, facing the English Channel. Caen is the capital of Normandy, which is officially two regions: Lower Normandy (containing departments Calvados, Manche and Orne) and Upper Normandy (the Eure and Seine-Maritime departments).

Six unmissable highlights of a visit to Normandy

Beuvron-en-AugeOne of our favourite Normandy villages, Beuvron has many half-timbered buildings to enjoy
Beuvron-en-Auge
Normandy landing beachesThe beaches where the allied forces landed in 1944 are one of the main attractions for visitors to Normandy
Normandy landing beaches
Chateau GaillardThe very impressive medieval castle at Chateau Gaillard was once home to Richard the Lionheart
Chateau Gaillard
BayeuxThe Bayeux Tapestry is a monumental achievement and tells the story of William the Conqueror
Bayeux
Mont-Saint-MichelOne of the most visited sites in France, the abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel is an essential destination
Mont-Saint-Michel
GivernyThe chance to see the pond at Giverny where Monet painted his famous waterlilies.
Giverny

 

Visit Lower Normandy

Mont-Saint-MichelFrom the most famous abbey in France to the most famous tapestry in the world, from cider orchards to picturesque villages, and the famous 'normandy landing beaches', Lower Normandy has a great deal of interest to the visitor

Lower Normandy is especially well known for two important historical monuments: the Bayeux tapestry - see Bayeux is a fascinating sight; and the island and abbey of Mont St Michel is one of the most popular attractions in France outside Paris.

Visit also the town of Granville that protects the entry to the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. Among other highlights in Lower Normandy visit the gothic cathedral at Coutances, and the town of Falaise with the nearby castle of William the Conqueror.

ArgentanTravel to Argentan, with Domfront to the west, stopping perhaps for some rest and relaxation at Bagnoles de l'Orne, and on to Alencon in southern Normandy.

From here you can continue to Belleme and the relatively undiscovered natural environment of the Le Perche region, and the town of Montagne-au-Perche.

LisieuxAlso in Lower Normandy, visit the pilgrimage centre of Lisieux, then for a great way to enjoy the local countryside and villages follow the Normandy cider route (the route usually starts from Cambremer).

The classified 'most beautiful villages' in Lower Normandy include Barfleur, in the Manche department, Beuvron-en-Auge south of Deauville, and the lovely St-Ceneri-le-Gerei to the south of the region.

See travel guides for the Calvados, Manche and Orne departments of Normandy for more information

Normandy beaches and coast

'Normandy beaches' means different things to different people - to some it brings to mind the great turning point in the Second World War, while to others it brings to mind fashionable seaside resorts...

The WWII landing beaches (Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches) are a popular pilgrimage destination in Normandy - see Normandy Landing Beaches and the Mulberry Harbour remains at Arromanches

Normandy landing beaches

Normandy also has many resort type beaches and coastal ports, for example at Deauville and Trouville, and also nearby Honfleur (passing perhaps via the quiet resort at Villerville).

Passing towards the west along the coast of Calvados visit the resort at Villers-sur-Mer then on to reach Houlgate, with its traditional 19th century villas.

Historians will want to visit the town from which William the Conqueror launched the Norman conquest of Britain, at Dives-sur-Mer. The next resort a few kilometres further west along the Cote Fleurie is Cabourg.

The Alabaster Coast

The Alabaster Coast, with its dramatic high chalky cliffs - see Etretat and Fécamp - dominates the coastline of the Upper Normandy region, along with the major ports of Dieppe and Le Havre. The inlets between these cliffs also house some pleasant, sophisticated little towns full of yachts and casinos.

Visit Upper Normandy

A region of art and history, from Richard the Lionheart's castle to Monet's gardens, with dramatic coastal scenery and popular towns and resorts to discover along the way...

RouenInland in Upper Normandy

Rouen has an attractive medieval centre - the highlight of a visit is the cathedral, famously painted 30 times by Monet and a masterpiece of gothic architecture.

The impressionist history of the region is also commemorated at La Bouille to the west of Rouen, while the Gardens at Giverny (Monet's garden), are meticulously preserved to look like those oh so famous paintings - and are also the most visited gardens in France

Evreux

Richard the Lionheart's impressive Chateau Gaillard, standing high above the village of Les Andelys on the Seine River and is an unmissable highlight.

The abbey at Jumieges is another historically important monument (Seine-Maritime department) and the town and cathedral at Evreux also merits a visit

The classified most beautiful village of Lyons la Foret is also in this region of Normandy

See travel guides for Seine-Maritime and Eure departments of Normandy for more information

General Normandy travel information and articles

The entry port at Caen is often passed through at speed on arriving in France, but deserves the time for a proper visit, as does the port at Cherbourg.

Normandy food and produce

If you love seafood, the coastal region of northern France – including Calais, Picardy, Normandy and Brittany - is the place in France to head for to find some of the best lobster, mussels, scallops, sea bass, monkfish, and herring.  The area also has incredible farm produce, and the climate is ideal for some of the best fruit and vegetables to be found in France.

See more ideas at Normandy tourist information, with more towns, national monuments, national parks, towns in bloom etc across the Normandy region.

Map of Normandy



French version: Normandy (Francais)

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