Normandy in March: weather, temperatures... (+ tips)

Fancy a trip to Normandy in March?
Find out if the region at this time of year will meet your expectations with our comprehensive guide:

Climate in Normandy in March (temperatures, weather…)
Swimming conditions: water temperature and wind
Travel conditions: crowds, prices, openings
Things to do in Normandy in March, special activities and events

All our advice to help you decide if a trip to Normandy in March is a good option: weather, temperatures, crowds, events...

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Content

Going to Normandy in March: quick answers

Best things to do in Normandy in March

1. Normandy in March – weather forecast

2. Temperatures in Normandy in March

3. Rain in Normandy in March

4. Normandy sunshine in March

5. Water temperature – swimming in Normandy in March

6. Wind in Normandy in March

7. Crowds and other conditions

8. March events in Normandy

9. March prices

Going to Normandy in March: quick answers

What’s the weather like in Normandy in March? Is this a good time to visit?

In March, the weather is not very nice in Normandy. The sky is often overcast, and it’s cold. The wind is blowing hard along the coast, especially on heights exposed to the elements.

Visitors are few and far between, and prices are low, but this is not considered the best time to visit the region.
However, if you prefer to have the place to yourself and don’t mind the humidity, this is a good time. Museums are generally open, but not all castles.

Travelling to Normandy in March – summary of conditions

Temperatures
Temperatures are cold. The thermometer averages 11°C (52°F) across the region, and 9°C (48°F) near the coast.

Water temperatures
In March, the sea is cold. Its average temperature is 9°C (48°F). It’s not a good time for swimming.

Crowds and prizes
There are few tourists. Rates are therefore low.

Opening conditions
Museums are generally open, but not all castles.

Day
The sun rises around 7.15am and sets after 7pm.

Best things to do in Normandy in March

In March, we enjoyed visiting these sites:

The D-Day landing beaches and their museums
The magnificent towns and villages of Normandy
The beauty of the Alabaster Coast and its famous cliffs
The incomparable Mont Saint-Michel
…

See our article on things to do in Normandy.

And lots of activities like these:

HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Normandy

Helicopter flight over the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre
Book your time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
Take a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
Climb the Via Ferrata in Switzerland Normandy

1. Normandy in March – weather forecast

Normandy is known for its oceanic climate. This is especially true on the coasts, where most of the holidaymakers’ favorite towns are located. Temperatures are moderate in both winter and summer. Rainfall is frequent in all seasons, but varies according to local relief and year.

In March, it’s cold on the coast. The sky is often overcast. It’s a very windy month. The heights on the most exposed coasts are subject to strong winds – near Cherbourg, for example. On the sea side, the water temperature is not conducive to swimming. When we visit the region, we prefer indoor activities.

Note that the further you go from the coast, the more pronounced the seasons become.

2. Temperatures in Normandy in March

Temperatures in Rouen:

8°C (46°F) average
Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 1
Number of days below 0°C = 4

Temperatures in Le Havre:

9°C (48°F) on average
Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 0
Number of days below 0°C = 2

Temperatures in Caen:

8°C (46°F) average
Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 0
Number of days below 0°C = 2

Temperatures in Cherbourg:

9°C (48°F) on average
Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 0
Number of days below 0°C = 0

Temperatures on Mont-Saint-Michel:

9°C (48°F) on average
Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 0
Number of days below 0°C = 1

OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
There is a lot of demand, book it early.

See available cars

See all our tips

3. Rain in Normandy in March

It rains all year round in Normandy. Rainfall varies greatly from one year to the next, depending above all on the relief and exposure of your location. Cherbourg, for example, receives more rain than Caen, which is protected by hills.

Rainfall in Rouen: 82 mm
(over 5 days on average)
Rainfall in Le Havre: 75 mm
(over 5 days on average)
Rainfall in Caen: 74 mm
(over 5 days on average)
Rainfall in Cherbourg: 77 mm
(over 5 days on average)
Rainfall on Mont-Saint-Michel: 83 mm
(over 6 days on average)

4. Normandy sunshine in March

In March, the sun rises around 7.15am and sets after 7pm, with an average of 6 hours of sunshine.

WHERE TO STAY IN Normandy

We particularly appreciate staying in Normandy:

Bayeux – our hotels selection
Honfleur – our hotel selection

For more ideas, take a look at our article on the best places to stay in Normandy.
And if you already have an idea, take a look at our selections:

5. Water temperature – swimming in Normandy in March

March is not a good time to swim in Normandy. The sea is very cold. Discover its average temperature below:

● Le Havre: 9°C (48°F)
● Cherbourg: 9°C (48°F)
● Mont-Saint-Michel: 9°C (48°F)

6. Wind in Normandy in March

Ocean means wind. In March, Normandy is windy, and the wind blows hardest on the coastal heights.

7. Crowds and other conditions

In March, there are very few tourists in Normandy. It’s low season. You’ll have no trouble finding a hotel or parking space.

Access to Mont-Saint-Michel by shuttle or on foot

8. March events in Normandy

Caen Student Carnival

In late March or early April, 35,000 people flock to Caen for this one-day carnival. They dress up and parade through the city streets. It’s Europe’s biggest student carnival.

USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy

All the information you need for your trip:

8 maps that make planning easier
160+ pre-selected locations
Practical advice
300+ photos to help you choose

Discover >>

9. March prices

As everywhere, prices vary depending on what you are looking for. We offer a wide range of accommodation, from campsites to 5-star hotels. It is therefore difficult to give a budget.

In March, prices are low due to the low number of visitors.

When to go to Normandy, the other months…