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)

Here are all the towns listed above on a map, to get your oriented, but there are more coming in this article with pictures!:

Planning a road trip? All my favorite towns, villages and attractions are included in my travel guide eBook:

Beautiful Historical Towns in Normandy

Honfleur

• 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

Falaise

• Location -
       Calvados district
       Caen to Falaise = 1h drive
• Why visit -
       Falaise is a walled medieval town which was the birthplace of William the Conqueror.
       Its highlight is the fortified castle located on a rocky promontory. It dates back to the 12th century. It offers beautiful views of the town.
• Highlights -
       The castle and its museum
       The panorama road
       The churches from the 11th, 13th and 16th centuries
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Falaise

Bayeux

• 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

Pont-L'Évêque

• Location -
       Calvados district
       Inland, but close to the famous seaside town of Deauville
       Caen to Pont l'Évêque = 40min drive
• Why visit -
       Pont l’Évêque was established at the confluence of three rivers, in the heart of Pays d'Auge.
       It has always been an important place of passage and trade.
       The town has kept a rich heritage you can easily explore on foot.
• Highlights -
       Many old houses typical of the region from the 16th and 18th centuries
       The old prison from the 19th century
       The charm of the town
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Pont-l'Évêque

Bernay

• Location -
       Eure district
       Caen to Bernay = 1h 20 drive
• Why visit -
       Bernay is a pretty town which has developed around an abbey.
       Today the old center still has impressive medieval half-timbered houses, a significant heritage.
       Plus the abbey church is still standing and it offers a unique atmosphere.
       It is not often on touristic trail, but I really enjoyed how vibrant it was.
• Highlights -
       Rue Gaston Folloppe and its fascinating half-timbered houses
      The abbey church with elements of the 11th century still present
       The bridges over the small rivers between houses
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Bernay

Domfront

Étretat

Les Andelys

Fécamp

Saint-Valery-en-Caux

Le Tréport

• Location -
       Seine-Maritime district
       Rouen to Le Tréport = 1h10 drive
• Why visit -
       Le Tréport is a famous sea-side town where you can find the highest cliffs of the Alabaster coast.
       Located at the limit of the Normandy region, the tall narrow buildings of the old neighborhood give a sense of scale to those cliffs.
       Quite different from the other coastal towns in Normandy
• Highlights -
       The port and beach with the 106m high cliffs (348ft)
       The view from the Mirador and the funicular 
       The old neighborhood with tall narrow houses
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Le Tréport

Best Cities in Normandy

Rouen

Le Havre

Caen

More of the most beautiful Towns in Normandy to stay

Vernon

• 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

Pont-Audemer

• 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

Verneuil d'Avre et d'Iton

• Location -
       Eure District
       Rouen to Verneuil = 1h20 drive
• Why visit -
       It used to be the border town between France and Normandy.
       Luckily it was quite preserved from the bombings of WWII and is still home to many historical buildings. It has a lot of character.
• Highlights -
       The church, the half-timbered houses, the grey tower
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Verneuil

Dieppe

• Location -
       Seine Maritime district
       Rouen to Dieppe = 1H drive
• Why visit -
       For many centuries, Dieppe has been a major fishing and trade port, on the banks of the River Arques.
       Today, still protected by the cliffs, it retains its maritime charm with 4 ports and a wide seafront,
       And the castle is overlooking the whole city.
• Highlights -
       The seafront and harbor walks
       The old center with 2 churches and the gate "Porte des Tourelles"
       The Castle with its views over the city
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Dieppe

Granville

Avranches

Best Seaside Resort Towns in Normandy (beach towns)

Trouville / Deauville

• Location -
       Calvados District
       Caen to Deauville = 1h drive
• Why visit -
       Deauville is a glamorous seaside resort from the 19th century. Its reputation is partially due to the Deauville American Film Festival happening there every year.
        It represents a certain lifestyle with high-end hotels, spas, casino, golf, horse races...
        It is iconic for its boardwalk along the flat sandy beach.
       Trouville is its sister town on the other side of the harbor. They look like one town.
• Highlights -
       Stroll in town to enjoy the glamorous atmosphere and admire the buildings.
       Have fun at the famous casino.
       Walk on the beach and appreciate the change of scenery with the tides.
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Deauville

Cabourg

Villers-sur-Mer

Best Villages in Normandy

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

• 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Normandy - read article
• 42 Best things to do in Normandy - read article
• 16 best castles and their parks - 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 cathedrals and most unique churches - read article

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