When researching things to do in Normandy it can get a little overwhelming at times. This French region is not only steeped in medieval history but is also synonymous with the D-day landings, so in terms of history alone it is a region that punches well above its weight. Furthermore, the list of lovely towns, cities, and unique places to visit in Normandy includes Bayeux, Rouen, Honfleur, and Mont Saint Michel to name just a few. The food scene is crazy good too, with Normandy renowned for its Calvados apple brandy, and some of the best cider in the world – typically sparkling and served in glass bottles like fine wine. Other local specialties include Camembert cheese, amazing seafood, and Tarte aux Pommes. It’s therefore no wonder that visiting Normandy is such a treat. In this guide, I’m covering how to get to there, places to visit, the most interesting things to do in Normandy (including tours of the D-day beaches and the best Normandy museums), and my tips on where to stay. So don’t be like King Harold and just wait for the Normans to come to you, read on and get planning your own Normandy invasion!
Visiting Normandy
1. Ferries to Normandy
There are four different ferry routes to Normandy from England. These are operated by either Brittany Ferries, DFDS, or Condor. Cherbourg or Caen ferries are the closest ports to the Normandy D-day landing beaches, and the Le Havre ferry from Portsmouth is also relatively close. Full details of all the Normandy ferries and who operates them are below. When it comes to booking your ferry tickets, it’s usually better to go direct to the operating company, but it may also be worth using a ferry aggregator like Direct Ferries to compare and double check prices, as sometimes you can find some cracking deals on there. And check out my post for full details of all UK to France Ferries.
Cherbourg ferry port is served by Condor Ferries from Poole, and Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth and Poole.
Caen ferries arrive from Portsmouth and the route is served by Brittany Ferries. Note that Caen ferry port is actually located 15 km north of Caen city center, in Ouistreham.
The Le Havre ferry arrives from Portsmouth and is also operated by Brittany Ferries
Newhaven to Dieppe ferries are operated by DFDS.
2. Getting to Normandy from Paris by train
France has an excellent high speed rail network, which makes getting around this relatively vast European country a breeze. Being just a couple of hours north of Paris means that Normandy becomes easily accessible for day trips from the capital too. You can take direct trains from Paris to Caen (1 hr 50 mins), Bayeux (2 hrs 10 mins), Rouen (around 1hr 20 mins), Le Havre (around 2 hrs 15 mins), and Cherbourg (a little over 3 hrs). All of these trains from Paris to Normandy are significantly faster than driving. Check out either Omio or the Trainline for full schedules, prices and tickets.
Places to visit and things to do in Normandy
Many of the best things to do in Normandy are centred around its picturesque towns, cities and hamlets. The food and restaurant scene is incredible and there is so much to see and do, especially considering how both medieval and modern history has played a particularly important role in forming the identity of the region. Here are some of my recommendations for places to visit in Normandy.
1. Honfleur
Honfleur is a picturesque harbour town renowned for its charming old port, narrow cobblestone streets, and half-timbered houses. The Vieux Bassin, or old port, is the heart of Honfleur, and is surrounded by colourful buildings that have inspired artists, including Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin. Honfleur remains a place with a vibrant arts scene today, as well as having pretty cafes, great seafood, and a relaxed culture. Honfleur is also home to the Church of Saint Catherine, the largest wooden church in France, dating back to the late 15th century, and it is where the River Seine empties into the English Channel. If arriving to Normandy on a Le Havre ferry then a visit to Honfleur is just a 30 minute drive from the Le Havre ferry port.
2. Bayeux
As one of the oldest towns in Normandy, Bayeux is steeped in Norman history. The annual Bayeux Medieval Festival is a cultural highlight, whereby re-enactments, concerts, and craft markets celebrate the town’s medieval heritage. Its most famous attraction, the Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux), depicts the Norman conquest of England, culminating in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This UNESCO-listed artifact is over 70 meters long and is displayed in the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. The 11th century Bayeux Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux) is an equally impressive Romanesque and Gothic masterpiece, and elsewhere in the town you can expect a well-preserved historic center with narrow cobblestone streets, timber-framed houses, and charming squares.
Bayeux serves as an excellent base for exploring the nearby D-Day landing beaches, particularly Omaha Beach and Gold Beach. Bayeux is also located in the heart of the Calvados region, known for its scenic countryside, apple orchards, and production of the famous Calvados apple brandy.
3. Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a breathtaking island commune located in western Normandy, France. Its most iconic feature is the stunning 8th century abbey that crowns the island’s rocky peak. It attracts millions of visitors each year, and its construction spanned several centuries, resulting in a blend of architectural styles, from Romanesque to Gothic. One of the most unique aspects of Mont Saint-Michel is its tidal nature. During high tide, the island is surrounded by water, and during low tide it becomes accessible on foot to visitors via a causeway. Aside from the abbey, the narrow cobblestone streets winding through the village below are filled with charming shops, restaurants, and houses.
4. Rouen
Situated on the banks of the River Seine, Rouen is perhaps best known as the city where Joan of Arc was famously tried and executed in 1431. It’s Gothic architecture, dominated by the magnificent Rouen Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen), once famously painted by Claude Monet, features intricate stone carvings and stained-glass windows. Rouen’s charming old town is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and historic buildings. The Gros-Horloge, a beautiful astronomical clock dating back to the 14th century, is a highlight of the old town.
Rouen is also known for its traditional Norman cuisine, including local specialties such as duck confit, Norman cheeses, and apple-based desserts like tarte aux pommes. Throughout the year, Rouen hosts various festivals and events celebrating its cultural heritage, the most famous of which being the Armada de Rouen, a maritime festival featuring a parade of tall ships along the Seine.
Normandy Museums and Other Attractions
There are many museums and attractions in Normandy to consider here, so the best way to approach this is to focus on what there is to see and do around each of the main towns and ports in Normandy. Hopefully this will then give you a clearer idea of where to visit from each location. So let’s get into it…
1. Things to do around Le Havre and Honfleur
- Learn all about how Calvados (Apple Brandy) is made, enjoy a tasting and understand why it is so important to the region as a whole at the Calvados experience
- Honfleur is a good base for day trips to the cliffs of Étretat, known for their dramatic beauty on the Norman coastline between Le Havre and Dieppe.
- From Honfleur: take a Private sidecar tour and cider tasting. Continuing with the apple theme, Normandy makes some of the world’s best cider, so what better way to go try some while being driven about like Wallace and Grommet in a cool vintage sidecar! Added bonus – you don’t even have to drive!
2. Things to do in Bayeux and Caen
- See the burial place of William the Conqueror in the Abbaye aux Hommes.
- Take a food tour of Normandy sampling cider, Camembert, Calvados and food at a 2* Michellin starred restaurant.
- Visit the Caen Memorial Museum
- The Bayeaux Tapestry depicts scenes from the Norman conquest of Britain.
- For art lovers: the Baron Gérard Art and History Museum.
- The Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy recounts events from the battle which raged from D-day until the end of August, 1944.
3. Things to do in Cherbourg & Mont Saint Michel
- Cité de la Mer: (the City of the Sea) is a maritime museum housed in a former transatlantic ocean liner terminal. Expect submarine exhibits, Titanic artifacts, and a massive aquarium. Jacques Cousteau & Steve Zissou fans rejoice – this one’s for you.
- Visit the abbey of Mont Saint Michel for spectacular views and the full experience of this remarkable place. I’ve been there several times, and it never gets old. Even if you’re not that bothered about the history, the natural beauty of its location is impressive and just wandering around this absolutely unique island is very cool.
4. Things to do in Rouen
- Take a walking tour of Rouen to see all the city’s main highlights, including Rouen Cathedral, the Gros-Horloge and the medieval quarter, Martainville.
- For art lovers, check out the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen, which houses a big collection of paintings and sculptures.
- Visit the unique and innovative Joan of Arc Historial – and interactive museum which brings the building that houses it to life, and takes you right to the heart of the life and legacy of the French heroine.
D-day Tours of the Normandy Beaches
A big reason why many people visit Normandy is to see the landing beaches, where, on June 6th 1944, thousands of Allied troops launched a counter offensive invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. Along Omaha, Utah, Juno, Gold, and Sword beaches, allied troops from Great Britain, the USA and Canada attempted to land in Normandy under heavy German gunfire, and push inland to begin the assault. Of course, thousands of these allied soldiers were killed or wounded within the first 24 hours alone, athough the military strategy was ultimately successful and was the beginning of the end for Hitler and the Nazis in western Europe. A sobering legacy of the D-day landings are the many military cemeteries, museums and memorials located near to the Normandy landing beaches.
Today, there are several companies that offer various different D-day tours in Normandy, including visits to the cemeteries, landing beaches and/or prominent museums and memorials. Here’s a list including the town from which it starts:
- From Bayeux or Caen: visit the British and American D-day landing beaches and prepare for a moving perspective of this fateful day in history.
- Near Cherbourg: take a guided tour of Utah beach in a WW2 Jeep: with a local guide see the D-day landing beaches in a restored WW2 jeep used by American GIs in 1944.
- From Bayeux: join an American Utah & Omaha Beaches D-day Group Tour
- From Caen: Guided D-day beaches and Caen Memorial tour
- From Le Havre: suitable for cruise ship passengers or anyone staying in and around Le Havre or Honfleur, there is also a D-day landing beaches shore excursion
- From Paris: Small-group Canadian Normandy D-day Tour – walk the shore of the Canadian landing beach, Juno, and visit the Canadian cemetery.
Accommodation in Normandy France
When deciding where to stay when visiting Normandy, it makes sense to be somewhere large enough so that there’s plenty of things to do, places to wander and restaurants to eat at, while also being close to the main areas of interest for you. Because of this, I’d recommend looking for hotels in Bayeux, hotels in Caen, or hotels in Rouen. If you’re coming to Normandy with a car, then you’ll most likely also want hotels with parking too.
For something a little different away from just hotels, you could also check out these Gites in Normandy, or if you’re visiting Normandy with family and you like the camping vibe, but prefer to do it in a little more comfort, then check out Eurocamp as they have a several parks close by, in both Normandy and Brittany.
Things to do in Normandy: the verdict...
Consider yourself fully equipped to now fully appreciate and make the most of all that Normandy has to offer. From the the Bayeux Tapestry to the D-day landing beaches, and everything in between (and since!). Normandy is one of France’s most influential and important regions. It is the birthplace of William the Conqueror (the future King of England), the death place of Joan of Arc (the future Patron Saint of France), it’s where the liberation of western Europe began during the second world war, and it’s a foodie’s heaven. Chuck in its great (and green) transport links to both the UK by ferry and Paris by train, as well as its lovely coastline and a liberal smattering of cute seaside ports and harbours, and you’ll wonder why you haven’t come here earlier. Things to do in Normandy? Completed it, mate!
Bon voyage mes amis!
Leave a reply