42 Best things to do in Normandy (with pictures)

Are you planning a trip to Normandy?
You ask: What to do in Normandy?
Below you will find our 42 suggestions to satisfy everyone:

• nature destinations to see,
• architectural attractions to visit in Normandy,
• fun activities,
• of inspiring art,
• fascinating museums,
• intense memorial sites,
• good food and much more!

We love our home region and want to share all it has to offer!

Absolute best things to do in Normandy – Top 3

#1 – Marvel at the cliffs of Étretat (and look for Arsène Lupin’s treasure)

• Experience –
  Explore all the corners of Étretat. It is one of the most beautiful places of the Alabaster Coast.
  Here, the elements have splendidly sculpted the white chalk.
  And you can enjoy so many different angles: the top of the northern cliffs, the top of the southern cliffs, the bottom of both… Learn more about our article on Étretat.
  And it is here that the stories of the character of Arsène Lupin (written by Maurice Leblanc) took place. Where did he hide his treasure?
• Location –
  In the village / town of Étretat
  Department : Seine-Maritime
  40min drive from Le Havre
  This place deserves at least one night: See the best rated accommodations in Étretat

#2 – Observe the tide around Mont-Saint-Michel

• Experience –
  No surprise here, the Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most famous attractions in France.
  And it’s understandable… It’s such an impressive place! The small island is covered with fortifications, medieval streets and an impressive abbey on top. Also, as the tide changes, so do the views.
  Be sure to see it at low tide and high tide!
  See our articles on What to do and tips for visiting.
• Location –
  West of Normandy, border with Brittany
  Department of La Manche
  1h30 drive from Caen
  It deserves a stay nearby to visit it by night –see the best rated accommodations in the area / or see our suggestions on where to stay

#3 – Walk through history in Rouen

• Experience –
  Rouen is the most fascinating city in Normandy. This is what people imagine when they think of France.
  It has a high concentration of listed buildings and just walking around is fascinating.
  Important historical events took place in Rouen, for example around the cathedral, one of the most impressive in France.
• Location –
  Department of Seine-Maritime
  Paris to Rouen = 1h drive or 1h10 by train
  Discover the best rated accommodations in Rouen

A note on the Unesco sites / listings for Normandy

For some of you, all Unesco heritage listings are “must-sees”.
In Normandy, they are :

• The Mont-Saint-Michel site – See above #2
• The Vauban Forts – you can see one on the island of Tatihou (see #27 in the list)
• The site of Le Havre and its reconstruction architecture by Perret (see n°20 in the list)
• The object of the Bayeux Tapestry (see n° 30 in the list)
• The lace of the Point d’Alençon classified and Intangible Cultural Heritage (see n°31 of the list)

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NORMAND CHARM – What to see in Normandy – Top 3

Normandy is often considered one of the most charming regions of France.
Despite the heavy destruction of the Second World War, it is full of old historical centers and charming old villages.
Below are some of the most beautiful places in Normandy to enjoy its charm: Honfleur, Vernon and the villages with half-timbered houses.

#4 – Stroll through the historic center of Honfleur

• Experience –
  Honfleur is one of the most charming cities to visit in Normandy.
  The small port with its high and narrow houses is one of the most photographed places.
  In addition, you can explore the side streets to find beautiful old houses and a unique wooden church.
  To know more about Honfleur, read our article on Honfleur.
• Location –
  Near the Normandy bridge
  Department of Calvados
  From Caen to Honfleur = 1h drive
  See the best rated accommodations in Honfleur

#5 – Be charmed by Norman villages with half-timbered houses

• Experience –
  There are many charming villages to discover in Normandy. Some of them have rows of typical half-timbered houses of different colors.
  They are very photogenic!
  Among the best are Le Bec-Hellouin and Beuvron-en-Auge and Lyon-la-Forêt.
  To learn more, read my article on the most beautiful villages of Normandy.
• Location –
  Everywhere in Normandy, but especially in Calvados, east of Caen.

#6 – Take one of the most iconic Norman photos – Vernon Mill

• Experience –
  It is not big, but this mill is one of the most emblematic buildings of Normandy. Probably for the mix of history and place.
  The half-timbered mill house (from the 16th century) is installed on an old medieval bridge (from the 12th century).
  There were once many mills on the Seine. You can see this building from different angles, with the river in the background.
• Location –
  Eure District
  South of Rouen – 1 hour drive
  Near the famous village of Giverny with Monet’s garden.
  Discover the best rated accommodations in Vernon

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FOOD – 4 best things to eat and drink

One of the most important things to do in Normandy is to eat. After all, you are in France.
Of course, you will have all the best French classics: French bread, cakes, delicious meals, croissants…
But you will find below some of the Normandy specialties not to be missed: cheeses, cider, mussels and Benedictine liqueur.

#7 – Norman Cheese

There is no shortage of cheeses to taste in France.
But when you are in Normandy, it is better to taste the Normandy cheeses. The best known are :

• Camembert, the most internationally known.
• The Livarot
• Le Pont-l’Évêque
• The Neufchatel

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

#8 – Cider or apple juice?

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

#9 – Mussels

Normandy being a coastal region, the seafood is delicious.
However, there is one particular treat that you should not miss: mussels. Especially with a camembert sauce! There is nothing more Norman.
The best are those of the Barfleur region.

#10 – Benedictine Liqueur

• Experience –
  Visit of the Benedictine Palace in Fécamp.
  It’s a great combination: a beautiful building, fascinating objects, a tour of the distillery and a tasting at the end.
• Location –
  City of Fécamp
  Department of Seine-Maritime
  Rouen to Fécamp = 1h drive
  See the best rated accommodations in Fécamp

NATURE – 3 Best Destinations in Normandy

Normandy offers a wide variety of experiences: architecture, history, culture and nature!
When one thinks of nature destinations in Normandy, one often thinks of the white cliffs of the Alabaster Coast, but it actually offers many more picturesque areas. My other choices are the wild coast of the Cotentin Peninsula and the “Suisse Normande”.

#11 – Road trip along the Alabaster coast

• Experience –
  If you are limited in time, visit only Étretat. But if you have time, the whole Alabaster coast is worth a visit. It is one of our favorite destinations in Normandy.
  You can go to pebble beaches, walk in narrow valleys (called “valleuses”) and enjoy beautiful views like the one from Cap Fagnet above.
  The coast is about 130 km long and there are cliffs from 30 to 105 m high almost everywhere.
  Discover the most beautiful places in our article on the Alabaster Coast.
• Location –
  From Le Havre to Le Tréport
  Department : Seine-Maritime
  Saint-Valery-en-Caux is the most central city to explore the entire coast – Discover the best rated accommodations

#12 – Enjoy the wild side of the Cotentin Peninsula

• Experience –
  Explore the Cape Route with its beautiful cliffs, beaches and rock formations.
  It is there that we find the oldest rocks of France. The most famous place to see in the region is Nez de Jobourg.
  But take the time to explore further.
  For example, just north of Jobourg is the beautiful Ecalgrain Bay which you can see in the picture above.
• Location –
  Northwest coast of the Cotentin Peninsula
  Department of La Manche

#13 – Suisse Normande

• Experience –
  If you are tired of pretty villages, impressive cliffs or peaceful landscapes, go and see the “mini-mountains” of the Suisse Normande.
  It is difficult to imagine that we are in Normandy. I love the contrast of the rocky cliffs with all the trees.
  It is an ideal place for those who love climbing. But even if you just drive around, the small area is worth a visit.
• Location –
  Border of Calvados and Orne
  Around the village of Clécy. See the accommodations

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WORLD WAR II – What to visit in Normandy – Top 4

Another essential aspect of exploring Normandy is to discover the sites and relics of World War II.
You may have read about it, but the experience is quite moving.
We think there are at least four things to do to get a sense of World War II history in Normandy: visit the American cemetery, one of the war batteries, one of the landing sites, and one of the museums.

#14 – Feeling humbled at the American cemetery

• Experience –
  This is one of the most moving places of the Second World War in Normandy: the rows and rows of crosses representing the fallen soldiers against the background of the ocean.
  A powerful place.
  I didn’t expect to feel so moved because it wasn’t my generation. But to imagine all these young people who came here to help us, it’s incredible.
• Location –
  At Colleville-Sur-Mer, Calvados, nearOmaha Beach
  45min drive west of Caen

#15 – Imagine life in one of the batteries

• Experience –
  All along the Normandy coast, you can find what remains of some of the German batteries from the Second World War.
  Some are quite well preserved. They help you understand the strategy and the way soldiers used to live.
• Location –
  There are many options. My 2 favorites are Longues-sur-Mer (35min west of Caen) and Merville (just east of Ouistreham).

#16 – Set foot on one of the landing sites

• Experience –
  It is then a question of understanding how the D-Day landings took place.
  Seeing the peaceful beaches of today, it can be hard to imagine what it was like.
  For some places, you can imagine how they landed, but for other places like Pointe du Hoc, it is crazy to imagine how they had to climb the cliffs.
• Location –
  The most famous are: Utah Beach (the best one to see representations of the landing), Omaha Beach (with the beautiful sculpture), Juno Beach (for the Canadians) and Sword Beach (for the British).

#17 – To find out more, visit one of the many museums, especially in Caen

• Experience –
  Finally, you should visit at least one of the World War II museums. There are many of them. Some small ones with specialties (like the story of a single battle) and some larger ones.
  The quality is overall very good, with lots of pictures and objects.
• Location –
  One of the most complete is the Caen Memorial Museum. It is very interactive but quite large. You can spend a whole day there.
  The other major museums are at Utah Beach and Juno Beach (for Canadian history).
  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 operation Overlord), the World War II museum in Bayeux…
  See the best rated accommodations in Caen.

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 area at different times: bridge, lighthouse, castle and reconstruction after World War II.

#18 – Admire the Normandy Bridge

• Experience –
  Inaugurated in 1995, the Normandy Bridge is a magnificent architectural wonder.
  It is a 2143 m long cable-stayed road. When it was built, it was the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
  It is a toll highway, but you can also enjoy its view of the mouth of the Seine via a walking path.
• Location –
  On the Seine, at the border of Seine-Maritime, Eure and Calvados
  Rouen bridge in Normandy = 1 hour drive
  Caen Bridge in Normandy = 1 hour drive

#19 – Feeling small next to the Gatteville lighthouse

• Experience –
  The Gatteville lighthouse is one of the highest in the world. It reaches 75 m.
  It may not be the most iconic in shape and color, but the contrast with the flat rock bed that surrounds it is fascinating, in my opinion.
  To learn more, read this article.
• Location –
  In the Manche, Contentin peninsula
  Near the village of Barfleur.
  35min drive west of Cherbourg
  Discover the best rated accommodations around Barfleur.

#20 – Be surprised by the architecture of Le Havre

• Experience –
  When one thinks of French architecture, the style of Le Havre does not come to mind.
  However, it is a Unesco site and deserves a visit.
  The architecture is protected (Unesco site) because it made a great leap forward when Auguste Perret imagined it for the reconstruction after the Second World War (Le Havre was almost entirely destroyed).
  But more than that, Le Havre is a city of contrast. Look at the picture below. You can see Perret’s square buildings in the background, and their contrast with the soft lines of architect Oscar Niemeyer’s work in the foreground.
  Read more about our article on Le Havre
• Location –
  Department of Seine-Maritime.
  Rouen to Le Havre = 1 hour drive
  Beginning of the Alabaster Coast
  See the best rated accommodations in Le Havre

CASTLES – 3 most beautiful castles of Normandy

Normandy has long been a border region with a tumultuous history.
That’s why you can find in the region many castles of different periods and styles.
It is very difficult to choose the best ones because they are so different. Below are three of my favorites, but you can see more in our article on the most beautiful castles in Normandy.

#21 – Château Saint-Germain-de-Livet

• Experience –
  This castle really impressed me. It’s not the oldest, it’s not the largest (it’s actually quite small) but it’s certainly the most unique. The half-timbered part of the manor house still has old frescoes on the wall because they had been protected by plaster. And the stone and brick part has some green elements in the exterior decor, which is very rare.
  
• Location –
  Calvados
  10min drive south of Lisieux
  Official website

#22 – Carrouges Castle

Castle of Carrouges

• Experience –
  From the 14th and 17th centuries.
  I love the different shapes of the castle structure, the impressive front door and the road leading to it, and the color red. It was a place of conviviality that welcomed Louis XI and Catherine de Medici. Inside, you can see pieces of very different styles. I prefer the older ones with the carved wooden beams. And pay special attention to the stairs.
  I loved it because there was a lot to see but not too much. In some castles (like Versailles), the rooms seem very repetitive after a while. Not here.
• Location –
  City of Carrouges, Orne
  30min drive west of Alençon
  Official website

#23 – Château d’Harcourt

Harcourt Castle

• Experience –
  From the 12th and 14th centuries, and modified in the 17th century
  This castle has one of the most beautiful parks to explore.
  The medieval castle of Harcourt is surrounded by two arboretums: a tree museum and specific areas for tree replanting studies. You will be able to see impressive specimens such as beech trees, giant cedars, cypresses, giant redwoods…
• Location –
  City of Harcourt, Eure
  40min from Evreux
  Official website

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ART – 3 best things to enjoy in Normandy

The Normandy region has inspired many artists, especially the impressionists who developed their style thanks to the ever-changing lights and skies.
You can visit places that were painted by Manet, Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet, Henri Matisse, Raoul Dufy and many others.

I have not listed the museums here, but there are of course many possibilities: the Museum of Fine Arts in Rouen, the MuMa in Le Havre, the Impressionist Museum in Giverny….

#24 – Feel the inspiration of Monet in Giverny

• Experience –
  The most famous artistic site in Normandy is the village of Giverny where you can visit Monet’s famous gardens that he painted so many times.
  It’s a wonderful place to visit, but be sure to book your ticket and prefer the opening hours for better light.
• Location –
  Village of Giverny, not far from the town of Vernon
  1h20 drive from Paris
  You can book a day trip from Paris to explore the area. See the options
  See the best rated accommodations around Giverny.

#25 – Tracking down impressionists and comparing to reality

• Experience –
  As I wrote above, Normandy is the cradle of Impressionism.
  There are so many places that have been painted by famous artists. Many cities include copies of these paintings with explanations.
• Location –
  All over Normandy.
  Start with your favorite paintings and try to find the location.
• See our article on Impressionism in Normandy

#26 – Choosing modern art in Le Havre

• Experience –
  And we are back in Le Havre (it’s my hometown, so I chose to mention it twice LOL).
  Remember I told you that what I like is contrast. Well, that’s also due to the modern artworks that can be found throughout the city and on the beach.
  One of the most emblematic is “La Catène”, 2 arches made of colored containers. This is a work by Vincent Ganivet.
  Read more about our article on Le Havre
• Location –
  Department of Seine-Maritime.
  Rouen to Le Havre = 1 hour drive
  Beginning of the Alabaster Coast
  See the best rated accommodations in Le Havre

FUN – 3 best activities that are out of the ordinary

Looking for something fun that you can’t find everywhere?
Well, I’ve found a few that you should consider. They are listed below.

#27 – The island of Tatihou, the oyster farms and the amphibious vehicle

• Experience –
  The visit of the island of Tatihou and its Vauban fort (Unesco site) is already a great experience.
  But what makes the visit even more fun is how you get there.
  The island is not far from the coast and at high tide it doesn’t look so special, you make the 10 minute boat trip.
  On the other hand, if you cross at low tide, the oyster farms start to appear everywhere and the boat gets on wheels to pass in the middle!
  Even if you are not on board, make sure you see it in action.
• Location –
  Departure from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
  In the English Channel, in the Cotentin Peninsula
  35min drive east of Cherbourg
  See the best rated accommodations in Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue

#28 – Salivate at the House of Biscuits

• Experience –
  This is no ordinary stop.
  Discover this series of stores with a “Disney world” look. Don’t forget to enter the House of Biscuits (founded in 1903) to discover many delicious products: cookies, jams, cakes, sweets… It is a paradise for food lovers (but beware, you can get lost in all the products for hours)
• Location –
  South of Cherbourg
  West coast of the Cotentin Peninsula, La Manche

#29 – Hunting hedge sculptures at the Champ de Bataille castle

• Experience –
  It is considered the “Versailles of Normandy”, but my favorite part is not the castle, it is the park.
  Landscapers are having a blast. I won’t spoil too much of the surprise, but plan on spending a few hours exploring the gardens and discovering the shapes they came up with with the hedges.
• Location –
  Sainte-Opportune-du-Bosc, Eure
  35min from Evreux
  Official website

CULTURE – 3 best museums in Normandy (excluding war and art)

Want to discover more and expand your horizons?
Normandy has a beautiful collection of museums on history, art and cultural specificities…
I’ve already mentioned the World War II museums, and we’ve already talked about art.
In this section, I have selected 3 other museums that will make you discover completely different worlds.

#30 – Bayeux Tapestry Museum

• Experience –
  The main attraction of the museum is the Bayeux Tapestry, a woolen thread embroidered on a linen canvas. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy, who became King of England in 1066 after the Battle of Hastings. It represents 58 scenes and includes 202 horses!
  Official website
• Location –
  Department of Calvados
  From Caen to Bayeux = 30min drive
  Discover the best rated accommodations in Bayeux

#31 – Museum of lace in Alençon

• Experience –
  The main attractions of the Museum of Fine Arts and Lace are the collections and the explanations about the culture of needlework, especially the prestigious “Point d’Alençon”. The lace making technique is registered on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list since 2010.
  Official website
• Location –
  City of Alençon
  Department of Orne
  From Caen to Alençon = 1h15 drive
  Discover the best rated accommodations in Alençon

#32 – Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg

• Experience –
  An impressive museum where you can spend several days – learning about the ocean, the underwater flora and fauna, and all the tools and machines used by men to explore its depths, including a giant submersible.
  Official website
• Location –
  City of Cherbourg
  North coast of the Manche department
  Discover the best rated accommodations in Cherbourg

RELIGIOUS HISTORY – Places not to be missed

We have already covered many aspects of history with the castles and the Second World War.
But the long Norman history is also very much built around religion.
The cathedrals and abbeys are keys to understanding the region through time.
See more in my article on the most beautiful cathedrals and churches in Normandy.

#33 – Wondering how cathedrals were built in the past…

• Experience –
  As everywhere in France, the cathedrals are among the most impressive architectural pieces.
  Normandy is no exception to the rule.
  You can see many of them over the cities of Normandy. Take the time to enter and admire the grandiose vaulted ceilings, columns and stained glass windows. They all have an intriguing story.
• Location –
  All over Normandy: Rouen, Bayeux, Coutances (photo above), Évreux, Sées, Lisieux

#34 – Understand how powerful the abbeys were

• Experience –
  Normandy also has many abbeys. They ruled the region.
  Some are still in good condition, but most are in ruins. However, you can still see how impressive they were.
  All the visits bring very different experiences.
• Location –
  All around Normandy.
  The most famous is the abbey of Jumièges, not far from Rouen.
  Among my favorites, we find the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, the abbey of Hambye, the abbey of Saint-Georges de Boscherville, the abbey of Lucerne…
  See my article on the most beautiful abbeys of Normandy.

#35 – Modern religious history in Lisieux

• Experience –
  If you’re looking for a bit of more modern history, go to Lisieux.
  It houses the Basilica of Therese of Lisieux, built for Therese who was canonized in 1925.
  The basilica was blessed in 1937.
  Official website
• Location –
  City of Lisieux, Calvados
  See the best rated accommodations in Lisieux.

COAST – Most beautiful beaches and more

The Normandy coastline is 603 km long, oriented to the north and west.
It is extremely varied with high cliffs, lower cliffs, flat rocky areas dating back millions of years, sandy beaches, pebble beaches, sand dunes…

#36 – Starta beach hut photo collection

• Experience –
  Visit the many beaches of the Normandy coast and discover the variety of beach huts: all white, two-tone, multicolored or with colored roofs, they are always charming.
  The trend of sea bathing began in the middle of the 18th century. Everyone wanted to enjoy the benefits of swimming in the ocean. The Normandy coast was booming.
  Today, the beach huts are there for those who still like to swim in the sea. They are often family heirlooms.
  Our grandparents had one on the beach of Le Havre and one on the beach of Sainte-Adresse.
• Location –
  Gouville-sur-Mer – with the colored roofs
  Le Havre – with multicolored stripes (although there are rules about colors and width).
  Yport with a more elegant blue and white design
  …

#37 – Choose one of the seaside resorts of the Côte Fleurie

• Experience –
  As I wrote above, sea bathing became popular in the 18th century, and seaside resorts flourished along the sandy beaches of Calvados.
  Large houses were built, and they still stand today. Walking around these cities looks like French glamour
• Location –
  Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, Cabourg, Houlgate, Villers-sur-Mer… Choose your favorites
  My favorite is Cabourg, because of the long path along the beach and the sand dune at the mouth of the river.
  See the best rated accommodations in Cabourg

#38 – Visit secret beaches

• Experience –
  In the towns located on the Alabaster coast, you can see large beaches, but along the cliffs, there are more. Many are not within walking distance, but a few are, if you know where to look.
  In Étretat, some are accessible by a man-made staircase in the cliffs or by tunnels dug in the cliffs.
  In other places, you have to descend a narrow and steep valley, but you end up at the foot of high cliffs. It is fascinating!
• Location –
  Along the Alabaster Coast.

What to see in Normandy ? 4 additional ideas

And here are some other places I like in Normandy, but I couldn’t add them to one of the categories…

#39 – Château Gaillard and Les Andelys

• Experience –
  Chateau Gaillard is a combination of so many things that I can’t really fit it into one category.
  There is a castle with an important history.
  There is a charming old town.
  There is a breathtaking nature with a loop of the Seine…
• Location –
  Department of Eure
  South of Rouen = 1 hour drive
  Discover the accommodations in Andelys

#40 – Veules-les-Roses and the shortest river in France

• Experience –
  In the charming village of Veules-les-Rose, you can walk along the shortest river in France: 1149m long.
  During 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
  Discover the best rated accommodations in the region

#41 – Saint-Cénéri-Le-Gérei

• Experience –
  Saint-Cénéri is another beautiful Norman village. But it is quite unique and impossible to classify.
  Nestled in a loop of the Sarthe, it offers houses with old buildings surrounded by greenery. It is a peaceful place that has inspired many artists for good reason.
  See more pictures in this article.
• Location –
  The Orne, in the Alpes Mancelles
  20min south of Alençon

#42 – GR21 hike

If you like hiking, the Alabaster Coast region is also full of hiking trails, including the famous GR21. It was elected in 2020 as the favorite hiking route of the French.
You can walk the entire trail (190km), or enjoy small portions of it, like in Étretat.