23 Best Towns in Normandy (and cities)

Best Towns in Normandy - Summary

With a long history, Normandy is full of charming towns and cities that offer fascinating history, charming scenery and splendid architecture. 
Most of them have a lot to offer to a traveler and the choice is very difficult. I am sure some locals may be vexed that I did not select their town. 
But I still had to reduce the list...

In the following article, the towns are in no particular order of preference (they all have something interesting for the visitors) with some of the best things to do in Normandy.
However, if you need me to narrow it down more, here are some further tips:

• Best historic town - Honfleur
• Most scenic on the coast - Étretat 
• Most scenic inland - Les Andelys
• Best seaside resort town - Cabourg
• Best city - Rouen (even though I adore my hometown Le Havre, but thinking from a foreign visitor's perspective)
• Best village (under 2000 inhabitants) - Beuvron-en-Auge
• My hometown - Le Havre 

Most practical to:

• Explore the Alabaster coast - Saint-Valery-en-Caux - right in the middle and a perfect size in my opinion
• Explore the whole of Normandy - Caen is the most central city in Normandy
• Discover WWII sites - Bayeux
• Visit Mont-Saint-Michel - Avranches (+ it is home to the Manuscripts museum)

• Location -
       Calvados district
       Close to the Normandy Bridge
       Caen to Honfleur = 1h drive
• Why visit -
       Honfleur is one of the most iconic places in Normandy. Its historical center is fascinating with half-timbered houses, tall narrow buildings around the port, a unique church... The area has inspired and continues to inspire many artists!
       Learn more on my article about Honfleur
• Highlights -
       The iconic port with the tall narrow buildings
       Sainte Catherine Church with a complete wooden structure
       Fascinating timbered houses
       Art & historical museums
• You can book a guided tour of Honfleur - see options
• And it can be visited on a day trip from Paris - see options
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Honfleur

• Location -
       Calvados District
       Close to many of the famous WWII sites
       Caen to Bayeux = 30min drive
• Why visit -
       Bayeux is also a historical town with a charming historic center. Its center sometimes feels more like a village than a town.
       It was fortunate to avoid most of the destruction during WWII.
       It is famous for its Unesco-listed tapestry probably from the 11th century. 
• Highlights -
       The Tapestry Museum
       The Beautiful Cathedral
        The old center with the mill and some half-timbered houses
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Bayeux

• Location -
       At the border between Normandy and Brittany
       Orne District
       Alençon to Domfront = 1h drive
• Why visit -
       As you explore the town, you can appreciate the strategic location on a hilltop and imagine how the castle, now in ruins, defended the city.
•      It has a strong historical vibe.
• Highlights -
       The ruins of the castle
       The old streets with half-timbered houses
       The unique Church of Saint Julien
       The fortification towers
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Domfront

Most Scenic Towns in Normandy

The best historical towns above were mostly in the calvados department. But you will see that most of the scenic towns below are in Seine-Maritime, on the Alabaster Coast. In my opinion, it is one of the best destinations in Normandy.

• Location -
       Seine-Maritime district
       Le Havre to Étretat = 30 min drive
       Rouen to Étretat = 1h10 drive
• Why visit -
       It is my favorite place in Normandy, one of the best landscapes in the region.
       In size, it is just in between a village and a town. And I love it so much that I listed it in both articles.
       The Alabaster Coast is made of tall white cliffs. At Étretat, the elements have carved them creating several arches and a needle sea-stack.
       The location has inspired many artists including author Maurice Leblanc with his character of Arsène Lupin. 
       Learn more in my article about Étretat.
• Highlights -
       The views from the cliffs on each side of the valley
       The walk under the cliffs at low tide to discover hidden beaches
       The chapel & garden of the Northern cliffs
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Étretat

• Location -
       Seine-Maritime district
       Le Havre to Fécamp = 50 min drive
       Rouen to Fécamp = 1h drive
• Why visit -
       A good combination of history and scenery.
       The town is framed by the impressive cliffs of the Alabaster Coast.
       Fécamp is recognized for its long fishing history and for the Benedictine Liqueur made in the Benedictine palace by Alexandre Le Grand.
• Highlights -
       The Benedictine Palace and its distillery
       The Pêcheries Museum with the history of the harbor
       The impressive views and WWII bunkers at Cap Fagnet (see my article)
• Part of Fécamp can be visited on a day trip from Paris - see options
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Fécamp

• Location -
       Seine-Maritime district
       Le Havre to Saint-Valéry = 1h15 drive
       Rouen to Saint-Valéry = 1h drive
• Why visit -
       A lesser-known town of the Alabaster coast, but one of my favorites.
       It is centrally located on the coast so you can easily visit the region.
       It is organized around a long harbor with magnificent cliffs, and a long seawall.
      It has been occupied since Roman times, a port and fishing village. However, the port has been recovered by mud. In the 17th century, Louis XV dug it out.
• Highlights -
       The relaxing city center all around water
       Both seawalls with views of the wide beach and the cliffs
       The Henri IV halt timbered house (16th century) and its museum
       The chapel with blue stained-glass windows
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Saint-Valéry-en-Caux

All towns listed are included in my eBook to help you early plan your road trip around Normandy:

• Location -
       Seine-Maritime district
       Caen to Rouen = 1h30 drive
       Paris to Rouen = 1h15 drive
• Why visit -
       Rouen is a cultural and historical city. In terms of historical buildings, it is the most fascinating to visit.
       It has a high concentration of classified buildings and just walking around is fascinating.
       Plus, its Cathedral is one of the most impressive in Normandy and France and has played a significant role in History.
• Highlights -
       The old streets with a myriad of historical buildings
       The 'Gros Horloge' - an impressive clock tower / gate (with a time movement system from 1389)
       Jeanne d'Arc history and museum
       The cathedral Notre Dame - the resting place of kings
• Check out the options for guided tours and day trips from Paris
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Rouen

• Location -
       Seine-Maritime district
       Rouen to Le Havre = 1h drive
• Why visit -
       It is my hometown 🙂 - not a criterion for you? LOL
       It is for those looking for something different. Very few really really old French buildings left, as the town was destroyed during WWII.
       However, it is a Unesco site, because of how it was rebuilt by Auguste Perret.
       A relaxing city with beach, wide streets and pieces of moderne art outside.
       Learn more on my Le Havre article.
• Highlights -
       The architecture of Auguste Perret, which was wonderful for the rebuilding.
       Don't miss the Saint-Joseph church and its 107m tower (351ft)
       The fascinating theater called "The Volcano" with fluids lines contrasting with the square lines of Perret's buildings
       The many pieces of modern art throughout the city, especially "La Catène" with colorful containers
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Le Havre

• Location -
       Calvados district
       Rouen to Caen = 1h30 drive
• Why visit -
       Located in the heart of Normandy, it is very convenient to explore the region.
       Caen has a rich history due to William the Conqueror.
       The religious buildings around town are the highlights.
       Much of the town has been destroyed during the liberation in 1944.
       But a few older houses can be found as you stroll through the nice city center.
• Highlights -
       Abbaye aux Hommes (Abbey)
       The ruins of the castle
       WWII memorial and museum
       Older neighborhoods and churches
• Check out the options for guided tours and day trips from Paris
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Caen

• Location -
       Eure district
       Rouen to Vernon = 50min drive
• Why visit -
       Founded in the 10th century, the town has a strategic location on the Seine River.
       The old center has kept a few half- timbered houses as well as some 18th century townhouses.
       But Vernon is mostly famous for the old mill still standing over the river (a typical photo from Normandy) and for being the gateway to Giverny and its gardens.
• Highlights -
       The old center with the towers, old houses, church
       The Mill over the Seine river (from the 16th century and the bridge to it from the 12th century)
       The Tourelles Castle and the river walk
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Vernon

• Location -
       Eure district
       Caen to Pont-Audemer = 1h drive
• Why visit -
       Pont-Audemer is often referred to as the Norman Venice, because there are a few branches of the Risle river flowing through it.
       This medieval town still has a few streets with half-timbered houses, drying sheds and wrought iron balconies.
• Highlights -
       The main square with the Saint-Ouen church
       The old half-timbered houses sprinkled throughout town
       The Risle river arms
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Pont-Audemer

• Location -
       Manche District
       Caen to Granville = 1h20 drive
• Why visit -
      It has a good location to explore the west coast of the Manche area - lots of attractions nearby
      Granville impresses with its fortified headland called Le Roc overlooking the water (also used during WWII).
      It offers a mix of scenery: a medieval upper town, a seaside resort town with small beaches, casino and a fishing port.
• Highlights -
       The Le Roc walk and the tour of the upper old town
        Christian Dior museum
       The port, ferris wheel and Marité boat
        You can take the ferry to the Chausey Islands from here.
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Granville

• Location -
       Manche District
       Caen to Avranches = 1h10 drive
• Why visit -
       Avranches is famous for its distant view of the Mont Saint Michel.
       Plus, it is home of its manuscripts.
       But it is also home to a dungeon, fortifications, a basilica and churches.
• Highlights -
       Scriptorial - Museum with the manuscripts from the Mont-Saint-Michel
      The Donjon and the views over the roofs
      The Botanical Garden and the views towards Mont-Saint-Michel
       The churches and basilica
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Avranches

• Location -
       Calvados District
       Caen to Deauville = 40min drive
• Why visit -
       The seaside town is one of the most iconic on the Normandy coast.
       You will discover magnificent mansions from the 19th century.
       The main building is the Grand Hotel, where Marcel Proust used to stay.
       The town has a great atmosphere with a long walkway.
       It ends at the estuary with a spit made of sand dunes.
• Highlights -
       The 4km long promenade along the seafront
       The main square with houses from "La Belle Epoque"
       The Casino and its garden
        The estuary with the sand dune.
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Cabourg

• Location -
       Calvados District
       Caen to Deauville = 40min drive
• Why visit -
       Villers-sur-Mer is another resort town with the charm of "La Belle Epoque"
       It is the best place to access the cliffs and boulders called "Les Vaches Noires", a natural highlight of the region.
• Highlights -
       The golden flat sand beach
       The large boulders fallen on the beach that looked like cows for the sailors passing by.
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Villers-sur-Mer