Let's discover 10 of the most beautiful villages in Normandy! The region has had a long history and not everything was destroyed during WWII. There are some architectural gems to be found. In this article I take you on a tour to discover charming places to add to your itinerary.
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#1 - The most beautiful village in Normandy : Beuvron-en-Auge
Village of Beuvron-en-Auge
- Why visit -
It is considered the most typical old village in Normandy with the beautiful collection of well maintained half-timbered houses. They have done a beautiful work of restauration.
It is beautifully set up with charming stores and flowers.
The village has been identified from the 11th century. Most houses are from the 16th to the 18th centuries. - What not to miss -
It is not that big. The main attraction is the central place which is line up with old half-timbered houses with the market hall in the middle.
Notice also the 2 small rivers surrounding it.
It is really a postcard village. - Labels -
It has the label "most beautiful villages in France" ("Plus beaux villages de France")
- District -
Calvados
Closest large town: Caen (30min drive) - Tips to visit -
Easy access to the village, many large carparks around the village.
Flat and easy to walk around.
Toilets near the visitor center.
Plan 30min just to walk around or longer to explore the shops and enjoy a meal. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
#2 - Best village in Normandy - Saint-Cénéri-le-Gerei
Village of Saint-Cénéri-le-Gérei
- Why visit -
I adore Saint Cénéri because with is surrounded by hills and trees. I love it when old houses are mixed with nature.
It is partly on a hill overlooking a loop of the Sarthe river. This elevation offers stunning views.
Many painters have been inspired by the location such as Courbet, and there are still artists living there. - What not to miss -
Enjoy the center of the village with the stone houses enhanced by plants and flowers.
Climb to the church (from the 12th century) and admire the remains of wall paintings. Plus walk around it to enjoy beautiful panoramas of the valley.
Walk down to the bridge for a different perspective.
The village is also home to the Mansonière gardens. - Labels -
It has the label "most beautiful villages in France" ("Plus beaux villages de France")
- District -
Orne
Closest large town: Alençon (20min drive) - Tips to visit -
Driving through the village to reach the carpark is not that easy, especially when there are lots of tourists.
There is a good size carpark.
Walking around includes a little bit of elevation, but it is not difficult.
Plan 1h to explore the village and more to enjoy a lunch. We did at Auberges des Peintres in an old houses and really enjoyed it. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
#3 - Prettiest village in Normandy: Le Bec-Hellouin
Village of Le Bec-Hellouin
- Why visit -
Le Bec-Hellouin is really pretty. It is located in a valley with tree covered hills on each side. It offers rows of old and colorful half-timbered houses.
Plus you can visit the abbey located in the village with its peaceful garden. This village is sooooooo charming and well maintained. - What not to miss -
Enjoy the village center around the church (first built in 1039 and rebuilt in 1417 and in the 18th century) with its rows of typical houses.
Visit the abbey. It was founded in 1034 and is still run by monks. They make candles. - Labels -
It has the label "most beautiful villages in France" ("Plus beaux villages de France")
- District -
Eure
Closest large towns: Rouen (45min drive) and Evreux (50min drive) - Tips to visit -
Access is easy. Parking is limited near the abbey but there is more near the river.
It is easy to walk around with only slight slopes.
Plan 2h to enjoy the village and the abbey. But you can also enjoy a good lunch at one of the restaurants. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
About the best villages in Normandy
The list with photos continues after the map and overall information.
Map of the most beautiful villages in Normandy
Below is a map to help you located my selection of the 10 best villages in Normandy, so that you can decide which ones can be included in your itinerary.
Map locating the best villages in Normandy
All of the 10 villages are included in my eBook with many other pre-selected locations to consider to easily plan your itinerary:
Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!
Plan your perfect trip around Normandy with:
- 8 easy-to-plan Maps
- 160+ pre-selected scenic locations
- Planning tips to make the most of your time
- 315+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
About the selection - labels & village definition
- This list is my own selection. It cannot be an absolute. Some may argue, of course, because everyone has its own favorites 🙂
Generally I agree with the label 'most beautiful villages in France'. There is another label in some areas with 'Petite cité de caractère'. I visited many of them. They had a few interesting buildings but the whole villages did not have the charm of those I have selected in this article, in my opinion. - Another question some might have is that Honfleur is not on the list. It is often included in other lists. I do love Honfleur, it is one of the top places to see in Normandy. But I really can't include it as a village. It is a town with an old center that looks like a village. It will be included in another article.
Defining what a village is or is not, is difficult. In this selection, I have made judgment calls.
#4 - Most impressive village: Mont Saint Michel
- Why visit -
Well this is Mont Saint Michel...one of the most iconic places in France.
It is a fortified island with a village and abbey at the top. It has been added to the Unesco Heritage list. Today only a few people live inside, but I still classify it as a village.
The scenery is impressive and changing with the tide. The very small island is covered with houses, towers, walls and churches. - What not to miss -
Walk around the fortifications, explore the fews streets.
Visit the magnificent abbey standing on top of the island, with the cloister and many fascinating rooms.
Admire the island from the distance at high and low tide. - Labels -
Unesco World Heritage site
- District -
Manche
Closest large town: Caen (1h30 drive) - Tips to visit -
I strongly recommend to visit early morning to arrive before the crowds and tourist buses.
It is not easy to walk around. There are steep slopes, many stairs (especially in the abbey) and the pavement can be tricky in some places. Make sure you wear good flat shoes and bring water.
Plan at least half a day, and pre-purchase you ticket to visit the abbey (here) to save time. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
#5 - Veules-les-Roses
- Why visit -
Veules-les-roses is famous for being the village with the shortest sea-bound river in France (1194m - 0,742mi). It has a long farming history and you can still appreciate some old houses and mills.
It is located on 'la côte d'Albâtre' which means that the beach is surrounded by tall white cliffs. - What not to miss -
There is a walking loop taking you along the river to admire: the watercress farm lands, the watermills, the church and chapels, the houses... all the way to the beach and the cliffs. - Labels -
It has the label "most beautiful villages in France" ("Plus beaux villages de France")
- District -
Seine-Maritime
Closest large town: Dieppe (30min drive) - Tips to visit -
Several carparks have been set up at the entrance of the village.
The walking loop is overall easy, there are some slopes to viewpoints but you can avoid them and stay in the village center.
Plan 2 to 3 hours to complete the loop and to take the time to admire everything. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
#6 - Etretat
- Why visit -
The other village I have chosen were primarily for their architecture and feel. Etretat is not the best in that regards. Not many old houses remain. And the one interesting house was a transfer from another place.
However, Etretat is my absolute favorite place in Normandy. The surrounding Nature is magnificent, offering the most beautiful backdrop to the village. It is framed by tall white cliffs with arches and a sea stack. - What not to miss -
The beach area, the views from the top of the cliffs on each side of the village, the gardens, the Arsène Lupin story... there is a lot to do!
Check out my article about the things to do in Etretat.
- District -
Seine-Maritime
Closest large town: Le Havre (30min drive) - Tips to visit -
Parking in town can be very complicated during Summer and on weekends. It is recommended to stop at the village entrance carparks.
You will have to walk a lot to explore the village and to climb steep slopes to reach each side of the cliffs.
Plan a couple of hours to just explore the village and the beach.
Plan at least a day to also enjoy the cliffs, but I recommend 2 days to appreciate the tide and explore all you can. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
#7 - Barfleur
- Why visit -
It is a quite a different village from those with the French label mentioned before. It is a quaint village center around the fishing port. At one end is the strange looking church with an octogonal dome base and a bell tower without arrow. It looks almost like a tiny castle. - What not to miss -
The peculiar church that almost look fortified.
The little harbour with fishing boats and its restaurants. Don't miss tasting the local free-range mussels, if there are any.
Not far is also the Gatteville lighthouse, the 3rd tallest in the World - Labels -
It has the label "most beautiful villages in France" ("Plus beaux villages de France")
- District -
Manche
Closest large town: Cherbourg (30min drive) - Tips to visit -
Very easy to explore on foot. Flat.
Make sure you also go to the other side of the harbour for more beautiful views of the village and its church.
Plan 2 hours to explore the area. Make sure to plan a lunch and try to local mussels. They are delicious (but wild ones may not be available). - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
#8 - Nonancourt
- Why visit -
This is limit village / town. I know. But I thought it was charming like a village and decided to add it here.
Nonancourt is not often listed in lists of 'best villages or towns in Normandy'. But I think it has a lot of potential. And I hope they develop their tourism offer.
It has a few magnificent half-timbered houses, old fortifications, and a river at the bottom. - What not to miss -
The tourism office in one of the most impressive half-timbered houses.
The old church with beautiful stained glass windows (ask the tourism office if you can enter).
The walking path above the town to see the remaining towers and portions of the fortification wall.
The streets near the river with bridges and a lot of charm.
- District -
Eure
Closest large town: Evreux (30min drive) - Tips to visit -
There are not many parking options and it is not easy to walk around (small sidewalks). I do hope they find a way to improve the circulation because I do think it has a lot of potential.
Make sure to go to the tourism office to get explanations on how to reach the towers and learn more about the village/town. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
#9 - Lyons-la-Forêt
- Why visit -
Lyons-la-Forêt has had a long history. It has attracted many royals due to the good hunting grounds. It used to be built around a castle.
It offers a typical architecture with half-timbered houses and red brick houses. Plus it is surrounded by a magnificient forest. - What not to miss -
The main place of interest is the central square with the covered hall from the 18th century and the houses in Normandy style from the 17th and 18th centuries. - Labels -
It has the label "most beautiful villages in France" ("Plus beaux villages de France")
- District -
Eure
Closest large town: Rouen (40min drive) - Tips to visit -
It is quite easy to walk around with only slight slopes.
Many restaurants on the market place. You can get a map at the tourism office with information on the buildings to look at.
Plan 1 hour to explore the village or a day if you want to walk in the forest surrounding it. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
#10 - Yport
- Why visit -
Yport offers the mix of a fishing village, a charming architecture (rock houses typical of the area) and stunning nature as the beach is surrounded by impressive cliffs from the Côte d'Albâtre.
It is not as typical as other villages listed here and buildings are not as old. But I love the charm and the atmosphere of Yport. - What not to miss -
The church from the 19th century with the 2 colors: bricks and rocks.
The lines of houses with their mix of bricks and rocks. Have a lookg closer at how the walls are built.
The beach with the white and blue cabins and the cliffs.
- District -
Seine-Maritime
Closest large town: Le Havre (45min drive) - Tips to visit -
There is not many parking spaces in the village. Come early, especially on weekends. This is a favorite spot for locals.
It is a easy to walk around.
Plan 1h to tour the village and the beach. - Accommodations -
Find the best rated accommodations in the area on Booking
Or look for options on Airbnb
Honorable mentions
Vieux-port
If you are looking for typical Norman thatched cottages, a quick stop by the Seine river in the tiny village of Vieux-port will allow you to admire some of the most beautiful examples.
La Perrière
In the Perche area, many villages have the label "petite cité de caractères". I do love the area but the village were not to the level of others, in my opinion. That being said, I enjoyed walking around La Perrière with the views of the countryside around the church. It has a relaxing vibe.
Écouché
Ecouché is not a typical stop when visiting Normandy. Yet it is quite a unique village. First you can admire the church with is damaged section (destroyed by WWII), which is very photogenic. Plus you can explore the village trying to find the many hidden (or not) towers. There are 12 houses from the 15th and 16th centuries that were built with towers (of different shapes).
Clécy
In the Suisse Normande, the main village is Clecy. The top section is on a hill and the touristic part of the village is down by the river with all the restaurants. Not far is the viaduct that you can climb for amazing views of the area.
Giverny
Giverny is mostly famous for the Gardens of Monet. It is often listed as one of the best villages in Normandy. The gardens are beautiful, but the village itself is not the most fascinating, in my opinion. But it deserves a stop just for the gardens.
Old town centers - Honfleur, Bernay, Pont l'évêque...
Some may be wondering why Honfleur is not on the list. It is true that the old center has the feel of a village and looks spectacular. But Honfleur is a town with an old center (see my article).
I will be writing a specific article about Towns in Normandy with the best historic center.
Want to see more of NORMANDY?
Which ones inspire you the most?
