42 Best things to do in Normandy (with pictures)

MUST-SEE - 3 Best things to do in Normandy

• Thing to do -
  Explore every corners of Étretat. This is one of the most magnificent places on the Alabaster coast.
  Here the elements have sculpted splendidly the white chalk.
  And you can enjoy so many various angles : top of the North cliffs, top of the South cliffs, bottom of both... Learn more on my article about Étretat.
  Plus, this is where the stories of the character Arsène Lupin (written by Maurice Leblanc) where set up. Where was he hiding his treasure?
• Location - 
  In the village / town of Étretat
  District: Seine-Maritime
  40min drive from Le Havre
  It deserves at least a one night stay - Check out the best rated accommodations in Étretat

• Thing to do -
  No surprise here, the Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most famous attractions in France.
  And it is understandable... This is such an impressive place! The small islet is covered with fortifications, medieval streets and an impressive abbey at the top. Plus, as the tide changes, the views change too.
  Make sure to see it at low and high tide!
• Location - 
  West of Normandy, border with Brittany
  District of La Manche
  1h30 drive from Caen
  It deserves a stay nearby to see it at low and high tide - check out the best rated accommodations in the area

• Thing to do -
  Rouen is the most fascinating town in Normandy. It is what people imagine, when they think of France.
  It has a high concentration of classified buildings and just walking around is fascinating.
  Significant historical events took place in Rouen, for example around the cathedral, one of the most impressive in Normandy and France.
• Location - 
  District of Seine-Maritime
  Paris to Rouen = 1h drive or 1h10 train
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Rouen

NORMANDY CHARM - 3+ Best places to visit in Normandy

• Thing to do -
  Honfleur is one of the most charming towns to visit in Normandy.
  The little port with the tall and narrow houses is one of the most photographed spots.  
  Plus, you can explore the side streets to find stunning old houses and a unique wooden church.
  See more on my Honfleur article.
• Location - 
  Close to the Normandy Bridge
  District of Calvados
  Caen to Honfleur = 1h drive
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Honfleur

• Thing to do -
  There are many charming villages to discover in Normandy. Some of them have rows of typical half-timbered houses, with different colors.
  They are very photogenic!
  Some of the best ones are Le Bec-Hellouin and Beuvron-en-Auge and Lyons -la-Forêt.
  Learn more on my article about the best villages in Normandy.
• Location - 
  Everywhere around Normandy, but mostly in the Calvados region, east of Caen.

• Thing to do -
  It is not big, but this mill is one of the most iconic buildings in Normandy. Probably for the mix of history and location.
  The half-timbered mill house (from the 16th century) is set up on an old medieval bridge (from the 12th century).
  There used to be many mills on the Seine river. You can see this building from different angles with the River as a background.
• Location - 
  District of Eure
  South of Rouen - 1h drive
  Close to the famous Giverny village with Monet's Garden.
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Vernon.

FOOD - 4 Best things to eat and drink in Normandy

One of the top things to do in Normandy is eat. After all, you are in France.
Of course, you will have all the best French classics: the French bread, the cakes, the delicious meals, the croissants...
But below are some of the specialties in Normandy that you should not miss: cheeses, cider, mussels and Bénédictine liquor. 

There is no shortage of cheeses to try out in France. 
But when in Normandy, better to try the Norman ones. The most famous are:

• Camembert, the most well-known internationally
• Livarot
• Pont-l'Évêque
• Neufchâtel

You can even visit the towns or villages where they take their name from. They often have small museums to learn more about them (and enjoy a tasting!).

I know that when you travel to France, you probably want to drink wine.
There are a few wines in Normandy, but not many.
The region is more famous for its cider (and thus, its apple juice).
There are many apple trees growing in the countryside and the bubbles of the cider are delicious!

NATURE - 3 Best destinations in Normandy

• Thing to do -
  Explore the Cape Route with beautiful cliffs, beaches and rock formations. This is where the oldest rocks in France can be found.
  The most famous place to see in the area is Nez de Jobourg. but take the time to explore more. For example, just North of Jobourg is the stunning Ecalgrain Bay you can see on the picture above.
• Location - 
  North West Coast of the Cotentin Peninsula
  District of La Manche

• Thing to do -
  If you are tired of the cute villages, impressive cliffs or peaceful countryside, check out the "mini mountains" of the Suisse Normande.
   It is hard to imagine we are in Normandy. I love the contrast of the rocky cliffs with all the trees.
  It is a great place for those who enjoy climbing. But even if just driving around, the small area is worth a visit.
• Location - 
  Border of Calvados and Orne
  Around the village of Clécy. See accommodations

WWII - 4+ Best places to see in Normandy

Another essential part of exploring Normandy, is experiencing the remnants of WWII.
You may have read about it, but the experience is quite moving.
I think there are at least 4 things to do to get a glimpse of the WWII history in Normandy: visit the US cemetery, one of the batteries, one of the landing sites and one of the museums.

• Thing to do -
  This is one of the most moving WWII places in Normandy: the rows and rows of crosses representing the fallen soldiers with the ocean background.
  A powerful location.
  I was not expecting to feel that moved, considering it was not my generation. But imagining all those young people who came here to help us, it is unbelievable.
• Location - 
  In Colleville-Sur-Mer, Calvados, near Omaha Beach
  45min driving West of Caen

• Thing to do -
  All along the Normandy coast, you can find what remains of some of the German WWII batteries.
  Some are quite well-preserved. They help you understand the strategy and how soldiers used to live.
• Location - 
  There are many options. My 2 favorites are Longues-sur-Mer (35min driving West of Caen) and Merville (just east of Ouistreham).

• Thing to do -
  Next is to understand what the landings were like during D-day.
  Seeing the peaceful beaches today, it can be hard to imagine what it was like.
  A some, you can see how they landed, but for other locations such as Pointe du Hoc, it is crazy to imagine how they must have climbed the cliffs.
• Location - 
  The most famous are: Utah Beach (the best one for seeing representations of the landings), Omaha Beach (with the beautiful sculpture), Juno Beach (for the Canadians) and Sword Beach (for the British).

• Thing to do -
  Finally you should visit at least one of the WWII museums. There are many of them. Some small one with specialties (such as the story of just one battle) and large ones.
  The quality is overall really good with lots of pictures and artefacts.
• Location - 
  One of the most complete one is the Caen Memorial Museum. It is very interactive but quite large. You could plan a whole day here.
  Other big ones are in Utah Beach and Juno beach (for the Canadian story).
  But some smaller ones are interesting such as:  Arromanches 360°, the Airborne museum (dedicated to the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions), the Overlord Museum (about the Overlord operation), the Bayeux WWII museum...
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Caen.

Need to rent a car in Normandy?
My tips:

• Compare car rental prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
• Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

ARCHITECTURE - 4+ Best attractions in Normandy

With its long history, Normandy has always been a land where architects have tried new things.
Below are some of the architectural highlights of the regions from various periods: bridge, lighthouse, castle, castle and from the reconstruction post WWII.

• Thing to do -
  Opened in 1995, the Normandy bridge is a magnificent architectural wonder.
  It is a cable-stayed road that is 2143m long (7032ft). When it was built, it was the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
  It is a tolled motorway, but you can also enjoy its views towards the mouth of the Seine River thanks to a footpath.
• Location - 
  Over the Seine River, at the Border of Seine-Maritime, Eure and Calvados
  Rouen to Normandy Bridge = 1h drive
  Caen to Normandy Bridge = 1h drive

• Thing to do -
  The Gatteville lighthouse is one of the tallest in the World. It reaches 75m (247ft).
  In might not be the most iconic in its shape and colors, but the contrast with the flat bed of rocks around it is fascinating, in my opinion.
  Learn more in this article.
• Location - 
  In La Manche, Contentin peninsula
  Near the village of Barfleur.
  35min drive West of Cherbourg
  Check out the best rated accommodations around Barfleur.

Find out even more architectural, historical and natural wonders in my travel guide:

CASTLES - 3 best castles in Normandy to travel back in time

• Thing to do -
  This castle has really made an impression on me. It is not the oldest, it is not the biggest (it is actually quite small) but it is certainly the most unique. The half-timbered manor part still has old frescoes on the wall because they had been protected by plaster. And the stone and brick section has some green elements in the outside decor which is very rare. 
• Location - 
  Calvados
  10min drive South of Lisieux
  Official website

• Thing to do -
  From the 14th and 17th centuries.
  I love the various shapes in the structure of the castle, the impressive front gate and road leading to it as well as the red color. It was a social place which has welcomed Louis XI and Catherine de Medicis. Inside you can see rooms with very different styles. I prefer the older ones with the sculpted wooden beams. And pay special attention to the staircases.
  I loved it because there was quite a lot to see but not too much. In some castles (like Versailles), rooms feel very repetitive after a while. Not here.
• Location - 
  Town of Carrouges, Orne
  30min drive West from Alençon
  Official website

• Thing to do -
  From the 12th and 14th centuries, and modified in the 17th century
  This castles has one of the best parks to explore.
  The medieval castle of Harcourt is surrounded by 2 arboretums: a museum-collection of trees and tree-specific areas for studies into tree replanting. You will be able to see some impressive specimenssuch as Twisted Beech trees, Giant Thuyan, Cypress, Giant Sequoias...
• Location - 
  Town of Harcourt, Eure
  40min drive from Evreux
  Official website

ART - 3 Best things to enjoy in Normandy 

• Thing to do -
  As I wrote above, Normandy is the birthplace of Impressionism.
  There are so many locations that have been painted by famous artists. Many towns include copies of those paintings with explanations.
• Location - 
  Everywhere in Normandy.
  Start with your favorite paintings and try finding the location.

FUN - 3 Best activities out of the ordinary

• Thing to do -
  Visiting Tatihou Island and its Vauban fort (a Unesco site) is already a great experience.
  But what makes it even more fun is how you get there.
  The island is not far from the coast and at high tide it does not look that special, you take a 10min boat trip.
  However, if you cross at low tide, the oyster farms start appearing everywhere and the boat switches to wheels to drive between them!!!
  Even if you are not on it, make sure to see it in action.
• Location - 
  Departure from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
  In La Manche, Cotentin peninsula
  35min drive East of Cherbourg
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue

• Thing to do -
  This is not an ordinary stop.
  Check out this series of shops with the appearance of « Disney world buildings ». Make sure to enter the Maison du biscuit (founded in 1903) to discover many delicious French products: biscuits, jams, cakes, sweets… This is a paradise for the sweet tooth (but beware, you can get lost in all the products for hours)
• Location - 
  South of Cherbourg
  West coast of Cotentin Peninsula, La Manche

• Thing to do -
  This is considered the 'Versailles of Normandy' but my favorite part is not the castle, it is the park.
  The landscapers are having a blast. I won't spoil the surprise too much but plan a couple of hours to explore the gardens and discover the shapes imagined by them with the hedgerows.
• Location - 
  Sainte-Opportune-du-Bosc, Eure
  35min from Evreux
  Official website

CULTURE - 3 Best Museums in Normandy (non war or art)

• Thing to do -
  The main attraction of the museum is the Bayeux Tapestry, a wool thread embroidered on linen cloth. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England in 1066 after the Battle of Hastings. It depicts 58 scenes and includes 202 horses!
  Official website
• Location - 
  District of Calvados
  Caen to Bayeux = 30min drive
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Bayeux

• Thing to do -
  The major attractions of the Fine Art and lace museum are the collections and explanations about the culture of needlepoint, especially the prestigious "Point d'Alençon". The technique for making lace has been on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2010.
  Official website
• Location - 
  Town of Alençon
  Orne District
  Caen to Alençon = 1h15 drive
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Alençon

RELIGIOUS HISTORY - 3 Highlights of Normandy

• Thing to do -
  Like all around France, some of the most impressive pieces of architecture are the cathedrals.
  Normandy is no exception.
  You can see many spiking above the Norman towns. Take the time to enter and admire the grandiose of the vaulted ceilings, columns and stained-glass windows. They all have an intriguing history.
• Location - 
  Everywhere in Normandy: Rouen, Bayeux, Coutances (photo above), Évreux, Sées, Lisieux

• Thing to do -
  If you are looking for some more modern history, head to Lisieux.
  It is home to the Therese de Lisieux Basilica built for Thérèse who was canonized in 1925.
  The Basilica was blessed in 1937.
  Official website
• Location - 
  Town of Lisieux, Calvados
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Lisieux.

COAST - Best of coastal Normandy - best beaches and more

The Normandy coastline is 603 km long, facing north and west.
See my article about the best Normandy beaches.
It is extremely varied with high cliffs, lower cliffs, flat rocky areas dating back millions of years, sandy beaches, pebble beaches, sand dunes...

• Thing to do -
  Head to the many beaches along the Normandy coast and discover the variety of beach huts: completely white, bicolor, multicolor or with colored roofs, they are always charming.
  The trend of sea bathing started in the mid 18th century. Everyone wanted to enjoy the benefits of swimming in the ocean. The Normandy coast was booming.
  Today, the beach huts are here for those who still enjoy sea bathing. They often are family heirlooms.
  My grandparents used to have one on the beach of Le Havre and one on the beach of Sainte-Adresse.
• Location - 
  Gouville-sur-Mer - with the colorful roofs
  Le Havre - with the multicolor stripes (although there are rules on the colors and width)
  Yport with a more elegant blue and white design
  ...

• Thing to do -
  As I wrote above, Sea bathing became popular in the 18th century, and coastal resort towns flourished along the sandy beaches of Calvados.
  Large houses were built, and they still remain to this day. Walking in those towns feels like French Glamour
• Location - 
  Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, Cabourg, Houlgate, Villers-sur-Mer... Choose your favorite
  My favorite is Cabourg because of the long pathway along the beach and the sand dune at the river mouth.
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Cabourg

• Thing to do -
  In the towns of the Alabaster coast you can see large beaches, but along the cliffs there are more of them. Many cannot be accessed on foot, but a few are, if you know where to look.
  In Étretat some are accessible with a staircase man-made in the cliffs, or by tunnels cut inside the cliffs.
  In other locations, you must hike down a narrow and steep valley, but you end at the bottom of the tall cliffs. It is fascinating!
• Location - 
  Along the Alabaster coast.

4 extra ideas of things to do

And here are some other places I love in Normandy, but I have not been able to add them to one of the categories...

• Thing to do -
  Château Gaillard is a combination of so many things that I cannot really fit it into any single category.
  There is a Castle with an important history.
  There is a charming old town.
  There is stunning nature with a loop of the Seine River...
• Location - 
  District of Eure
  South of Rouen = 1h drive
  Check out the accommodations in Les Andelys

• Thing to do -
  In the charming village of Veules-les-Rose, you can walk along the shortest sea-bound river in France: 1149m long (0.7mi).
  Along the walk you will discover watercress fields, mills and typical houses of the region.
  More pictures in this article
• Location - 
  Seine-Maritime, Alabaster coast
  Rouen to Veules-les-Roses = 1h drive
  Check out the best rated accommodations in the area

 If you enjoy hiking, the Alabaster coast area is also full of walking tracks, including the famous GR21. It has been elected in 2020 as the favorite hiking route for French people.
You can walk it entirely (190km - 118mi), or enjoy small portions of it, like in Étretat.

Want to see more of the best Normandy has to offer?

• 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Normandy - read article
• 10 most charming villages in Normandy - read article
• 5 Best destinations in Normandy - read article
• The most impressive abbeys in Normandy - read article
• The best beaches in Normandy  - read article
• The best cities and towns - read article

Planning a trip to Normandy? 

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

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