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Normandy travel guide
Visit Normandy:
Normandy gites : Normandy
Hotels : car hire :
Guided Tours
Lower Normandy is on the coast of north-west France, where it faces the English Channel. It is a common arrival point for visitors from the UK (ferries arrive at Cherbourg and Caen). Caen is also the capital of the region.
Normandy is officially two regions: Lower Normandy (containing departments Calvados, Manche and Orne) and Upper Normandy (the Eure and Seine-Maritime departments).
The great appeal of Normandy is the beautiful countryside and the lovely local architecture, above all the colombage buildings.
There is also attractive coastline to explore, and the famous sights of the Normandy Landing beaches and the Bayeux tapestry.
VISIT LOWER NORMANDY
- see the Bayeux tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings in all its glory (Bayeux itself is also worth a visit)...see Bayeux
Bayeux Cathedral, Normandy (photo thanks to Amanda van den Berg)
- the island of Mont St Michel
- the gothic cathedral at Coutances
- the entry port at Caen
- the towns of Falaise , in inland Normandy, and the nearby castle of William the Conqueror, also Alencon in southern Normandy.
- Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches, the Normandy Landing Beaches
and the Mulberry Harbour remains at
Arromanches
- beaches and coastal ports, for example at Deauville, Trouville and Honfleur
- the pilgrimage centre of Lisieux
- Follow the Normandy cider route - a route that you can drive around in a day or two seeing some lovely villages, including Beuvron-en-Auge (most beautiful villages below), and countryside, while also learning about cider and calvados production.
Most Beautiful villages
The most beautiful villages of Normandy include Barfleur, in the Manche department on the coast, Beuvron-en-Auge south of Deauville, and the lovely St-Ceneri-le-Gerei to the south of the region.
NORMANDY FOOD: 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.
VISIT UPPER NORMANDY
- The Alabaster Coast, high chalky cliffs - see
Etretat and
Fécamp - dominate the coastline of
the region, along with the major ports of Dieppe and Le Havre. The inlets
from these cliffs house some pleasant, 'sophisticated' little towns full
of yachts and casinos.
- Rouen has an attractive medieval centre (although it was almost completely rebuilt after WWII, when the town was largely destroyed).
The highlight of a visit to Rouen is the Cathedral, famously painted 30 times by Monet and a masterpiece of gothic architecture.
- Richard the Lionheart's
Chateau Gaillard above the
village of Les Andelys
- the abbey at Jumieges
- Gardens at Giverny, Monet's garden, meticulously preserved to look like those oh so famous paintings.
- the interior town at Evreux also deserves a visit if you are passing
- the classified most beautiful Village of Lyons la Foret is another place to visit in this region of Normandy
General Normandy information
Guest article 1: story of Americans following in the footsteps of the
Normandy Landings: visiting the normandy
beaches
Guest article 2: a suggested holiday itinerary for a visit to Normandy places to visit in Normandy
Visit also the most beautiful village of Saint-Ceneri-le-Gerei, 10 km SW of Alençon
Normandy Tourist and Travel Information
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Map of Normandy, France |
Click on the place markers to access places, zoom controls to zoom in, 'satellite' to see the countryside or click here for help with google maps
Visit Normandy - travel information
If you are planning Normandy holidays or vacation you will find all you need on the France This Way site, including Normandy gites, hotels and car hire:
- Car hire
- France camping holidays in Normandy
