Receive our France Newsletter : Write for francethisway!

Normandy, France tourist information

FIND NORMANDY HOTELS

Arrival Date

Departure Date

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 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, including the ancient half-timbered buildings. The region also oozes history, from Mont Saint Michel to Chateau Gaillard; there is much attractive coastline to explore; and the important sights of the Normandy Landing beaches and the Bayeux tapestry are also very popular with visitors to Normandy.

VISIT LOWER NORMANDY

Reflections of Mont Saint Michel

Some highlights

- see the Bayeux tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings in all its glory (Bayeux itself is also worth a visit)...see Bayeux

- the island of Mont St Michel is one of the most popular attractions in France outside Paris (see also the town of Granville that protects the entry to the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel)

- visit the gothic cathedral at Coutances

- the entry port at Caen is often passed through at speed on arriving in France, but deserves the time for a proper visit

- the towns of Falaise, in inland Normandy, and the nearby castle of William the Conqueror

- head inland to Argentan with Domfront to the west, and on to Alencon in southern Normandy


Normandy beaches

Even 65 years after the event, the WWII landing beaches (Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches) remain a very popular pilgrimage destination - see the Normandy Landing Beaches and the Mulberry Harbour remains at Arromanches

Normandy landing beaches

Normandy also has resort type beaches and coastal ports, for example at Deauville and Trouville, and also nearby Honfleur

Also in Upper Normandy, visit the pilgrimage centre of Lisieux, then for a great way to see the local countryside and architecture follow the Normandy cider route - a route that you can drive around in a day or two seeing some lovely villages, including Beuvron (most beautiful villages of France) en route 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

Some highlights

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 impressive Chateau Gaillard stands high above the village of Les Andelys

Tthe abbey at Jumieges is another historically important monument, in the Seine-Maritime department

Gardens at Giverny in Normandy

The Gardens at Giverny, perhaps even better known as Monet's garden, meticulously preserved to look like those oh so famous paintings and the most visited gardens in France

The town and cathedral at Evreux also merits a visit

Most Beautiful villages

The classified most beautiful Village of Lyons la Foret is another place to visit in this region of Normandy

 

General Normandy information and articles

Guest article 1: story of Americans following in the footsteps of the Normandy Landings: visit the normandy landing beaches

Guest article 2: a suggested holiday itinerary for a visit to Normandy places to visit in Normandy

Guest article 3: a useful guide to Upper Normandy

 

Visit Normandy - travel information

Chateau Gaillard in Normandy

Find hotels in Normandy
Arrival:
Departure:



Normandy Holiday Rentals search

 

Sleeps


Other holiday / vacation options

Holiday villages in Normandy

Holiday villages in France

France camping holidays





Please visit the

CAR HIRE SEARCH

for Normandy car rental options.

Normandy property for sale

See

Normandy property for sale

for available properties for sale and a property search

Places to visit in Normandy - more information

To see a larger map which shows places to visit in Normandy in more detail (castles, classified most beautiful villages etc) see Map of Normandy. (Also includes a full alphabetical list of all places in Normandy in France This Way.)

Map of Normandy, France

Place:    Airport:

 

See also Normandy (version Francais)