When to go to Normandy
Well, that depends on your criteria.
Here’s our complete guide with details to help you make your decision based on:
- Weather (temperature, rain, wind…)
- Crowds and prices
- Opening hours for historic sites and museums
- Sea temperature, when to swim in Normandy
- …
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best time to visit Normandy: Summary
Best month to visit Normandy
Ideally, we recommend June and September, for good weather and fewer crowds. But for touristy places like Étretat and Mont-Saint-Michel, we love winter, without the crowds, especially the February lights.
Key point: many museums close in January and February. And most châteaux close between November and April.
Best time to visit Normandy
It all depends on what you’re looking for:
- Best time for sunbathing:
July, August and September - Best time to swim in the sea:
August and September - Best time to avoid crowds:
March, April and October except vacations and all winter long - Best time to visit the landing beaches:
Avoid January and February as museums are closed. Choose or avoid the key dates of World War 2 depending on your interest in ceremonies. - Best time to admire the gardens:
the spring - Best time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel:
in winter, when there are far fewer people around
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:
When to go to Normandy – Weather and conditions
Climate
Normandy enjoys a temperate oceanic climate, influenced by the Atlantic. This climate is characterized by:
- Frequent rainfall throughout the year, heaviest in winter
- Mild, wet winters, with average temperatures of 5°C to 7°C in January.
- Cool summers, with average temperatures of 17°C to 20°C in August, with maximums generally around 23 to 25°C.
- Often windy, especially on the coast.
In summer, it’s warmer inland than on the coast.
In winter, it’s colder inland than on the coast (except on windy days).
Length of day and sunshine
Day length and sunshine in Normandy vary according to the season.
In winter, days are short and sunshine is scarce. The sun rises around 8:30 am and sets around 5:00 pm, with around 7 hours of sunshine a day.
Spring and autumn bring longer days and more sunshine. The sun rises around 7:30 am and sets around 8:00 pm, with around 10 hours of sunshine a day.
In summer, the days are long and the sun shines brightly. The sun rises around 6:00 am and sets around 10:00 pm, with around 16 hours of sunshine a day.
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.
Rain in Normandy
Normandy is a region with frequent rainfall throughout the year. Average annual rainfall varies between 600 and 800 mm, depending on the region.
Precipitation is more frequent in winter than in summer, and the wettest month is usually December.
Here are some examples of average annual precipitation in a few towns in Normandy:
- Caen: 650 mm
- Rouen: 600 mm
- Le Havre: 700 mm
- Cherbourg: 800 mm
- Alençon: 650 mm
Please note that these are averages. Actual rainfall may vary from year to year, depending on weather conditions.
Wind in Normandy
Normandy is known as a windy region. The wind is present quite often, especially on the coast.
- Strength: speeds vary throughout the year, but they are generally of moderate strength, averaging between 4 and 7 on the Beaufort scale (15 to 61 km/h).
- Direction: the prevailing winds are from the southwest, bringing humid air from the Atlantic Ocean.
- Seasonality: The wind is generally strongest in winter and spring, weakening slightly in summer and autumn.
The wind is slightly less present inland than on the coast.
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
Crowds and prizes
Normandy is a popular tourist region, and visitor numbers and prices vary according to season, location and specific events.
High season:
July and August are the busiest months. Prices are highest and crowds larger, especially in popular tourist destinations such as Mont Saint-Michel, the D-Day landing beaches and coastal towns.
Medium season:
From April to June and September to October, Normandy attracts a more moderate number of tourists, with more affordable prices and visitor numbers.
However, events and dates of historical commemorations can have an impact on crowds and prices on certain days.
Low season:
November to March is the quietest period, with lower prices and fewer visitors. But some places are closed to visitors.
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
Sea temperatures in Normandy: when to swim?
The sea temperature in Normandy is cool all year round, and not suitable for everyone.
- Average water temperature: between 8°C and 18°C depending on the season.
- Winter: the coldest, down to 6°C or 7°C.
- Spring: The water slowly begins to warm up, reaching around 8°C to 12°C in May.
- Summer: hottest, between 14°C and 18°C.
- Autumn: The water gradually cools, dropping to between 10°C and 14°C in November.
See our article on the most beautiful beaches in Normandy.
When to visit the D-Day landing beaches
The best time to visit the Normandy landing beaches depends on your priorities and preferences:
April, May, October: the sites are all open, and the crowds are a little lighter. The weather is cooler, but we can have some very fine days.
June to September: pleasant temperatures and sunnier days, but more crowds and higher prices.
The D-Day dates in June are particularly popular, as are the commemorations.
In winter: the crowds are gone, but so is the sun sometimes… This gives a very special atmosphere to these places of remembrance. Please note, however, that almost all museums are closed in January and February.
See all our tips for visiting the D-Day landing beaches.
When to visit Mont-Saint-Michel
There’s really no better season, as winter lights, autumn colors and summer sunshine all bring something special to the views of Mont-Saint-Michel. Don’t worry, no matter when you visit, you will be amazed!
If you want warmth, you should visit during the summer months.
If you want to avoid the crowds, visit during winter (November to March).
The main street is narrow and it’s one of the most visited places in France, so we’re not kidding when we talk about crowds!
Just be aware that some hotels and restaurants close during the winter season.
And we recommend avoiding the French school vacation periods!
The mountain is also known for its changes during high tides.
At this point, the water rises 15m over 15km and the mountain becomes an island surrounded by water once again. It’s fascinating to see the place transform!
A coefficient of at least 110 is required.
The great tides take place:
- end of March
- end of September
- and perhaps mid-April, mid-August and mid-October
And every twenty years or so the “tide of the century” takes place. The coefficient exceeds 118. The next ones will take place on Thursday, March 3, 2033 and Tuesday, March 14, 2051.
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Description of the seasons in Normandy
Spring in Normandy
Spring in Normandy is a wonderful season, with lush green landscapes, flowers appearing everywhere and temperatures that can be very pleasant.
It’s the perfect time of year to visit gardens, stroll through forests and visit villages with their tubs of flowers that make them even more picturesque.
Bring layers of clothing to adapt to each day: wind, rain, cold.
Summer in Normandy
Summer in Normandy is a warm, sunny season.
It’s a great time to enjoy the beaches, hike the cliffs or head inland.
All locations are open.
But there are more people and the prices are higher.
Autumn in Normandy
Autumn in Normandy is a gentle, colorful season, perfect for enjoying the countryside, outdoor activities and local produce.
We love the atmosphere of the shortening days, the beautiful sunsets and the changing colors in the forests.
Crowds are thinning out, but temperatures are normally falling slowly.
Winter in Normandy
Winter in Normandy is cool and wet.
The region occasionally gets snow: rarely on the coast, but more frequently in the countryside.
The crowds have left and prices are falling. However, many venues, such as châteaux, close their doors for the season.
But on some days, you can have magnificent light that makes you want to paint like the Impressionists.
Events to see or avoid
Depending on your interests, you should also take into account events that could have a major impact on your trip, and adapt your departure dates accordingly:
- If you really want to see a party
- If you don’t want to be blocked by an event
Festivals in Normandy (music and culture)
- Beauregard” Festival in July
- Cabourg Mon amour” festival in June
- Jazz Sous les Pommiers” festival in May
- Fête de la Musique on June 21
- Deauville American Film Festival in September
- D-Day commemorations around June 6
- Fécamp Grand-Escale, with the biggest sailing ships, in May
- Papillon de Nuit” festival in May in Saint-Laurent-dd-Cuves
- …
Sports competitions in Normandy
- Start of the Transat Jacques Vabre in October/November in Le Havre
- Sometimes the Tour de France passes through the region in July
- Deauville horse shows
- Rouen Marathon in October
Best month to visit Normandy
And if you’re asking month by month, take a look at our dedicated articles:
- Normandy in January
- Normandy in February
- Normandy in March
- Normandy in April
- Normandy in May
- Normandy in June
- Normandy in July
- Normandy in August
- Normandy in September
- Normandy in October
- Normandy in November
- Normandy in December
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
