Want to go to Normandy in October?
Find out if the region at this time of year will meet your expectations with our comprehensive guide:
- Climate in Normandy in October (temperatures, weather…)
- Swimming conditions: water temperature and wind
- Travel conditions: crowds, prices, openings
- Things to do in Normandy in October, special activities and 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.
Going to Normandy in October: quick answers
What’s the weather like in Normandy in October? Is this a good time to visit?
In October, the weather is mild. On the coasts and near the cities popular with travellers, temperatures are cooler and the wind picks up again. The skies are often overcast, but that doesn’t prevent us from enjoying these last few weeks of fine weather, often with beautiful sunsets.
Visitors are few and far between, and prices drop accordingly. It’s a fairly good time to visit the region, with the exception of the week-long vacation for French schoolchildren.
Travelling to Normandy in October – summary of conditions
Temperatures
Temperatures are mild to cool. The thermometer averages 16°C (61°F), and 14°C (57°F) near the coast.
Water temperatures
In October, the sea is cool. Its average temperature is 16°C (61°F). You can swim, but make sure you wear a wetsuit.
Crowds and prizes
Tourists are few and far between, and prices are attractive.
Opening conditions
Everything’s open in October: attractions, hotels, restaurants… except some castles.
Day
The sun rises before 8:30am and sets around 7:15pm.
Best things to do in Normandy in October
In October, we enjoyed visiting these sites:
- The D-Day landing beaches and their museums
- Immerse yourself in history by visiting the region’s castles and abbeys
- The magnificent towns and villages of Normandy
- The beauty of the Alabaster Coast and its famous cliffs
- The incomparable Mont-Saint-Michel
- The magnificent cliffs of Étretat and the charm of Honfleur
- …
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. Climate in Normandy in October – 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 October, it’s cool on the coast. It’s still pleasant to go hiking, but beware of the winds that are starting to blow again. The sky is rather overcast. On the sea side, the water is cool, but it’s possible to swim if you’re well equipped.
2. Temperatures in Normandy in October
Temperatures in Rouen:
- 13°C (55°F) on average
- Number of days with average temperatures above 18°C = 8
Temperatures in Le Havre:
- 15°C (59°F) on average
- Number of days with average temperature above 18°C = 5
Temperatures in Caen:
- 14°C (63°F) average
- Number of days with average temperatures above 18°C = 8
Temperatures in Cherbourg:
- 14°C (63°F) average
- Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 3
Temperatures on Mont-Saint-Michel:
- 15°C (59°F) on average
- Number of days with an average temperature of over 18°C = 10
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.
3. Rain in Normandy in October
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.
It rains a little more in October than the rest of the year.
- Rainfall in Rouen: 81 mm
(over 5 days on average) - Rainfall in Le Havre: 116 mm
(over 8 days on average) - Rainfall in Caen: 93 mm
(over 6 days on average) - Rainfall in Cherbourg: 115 mm
(over 7 days on average) - Rainfall on Mont-Saint-Michel: 106 mm
(over 6 days on average)
4. October sunshine in Normandy
In October, the sun rises before 8:30 am and sets around 7:15 pm, with an average of 4 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 October
October is a good time for swimming in Normandy, but you’d better bring a wetsuit. Discover the average sea temperature below:
- Le Havre: 17°C (63°F)
- Cherbourg: 16°C (61°F)
- Mont-Saint-Michel: 17°C (63°F)
6. Wind in Normandy in October
Ocean means wind. In October, the winds that had died down during the summer began to blow again. The coasts are windier than the inland areas.
7. Crowds and other conditions
In October, there are few tourists in Normandy. It’s low season. You’ll have no trouble finding a hotel or parking space. Make the most of it! Please note: French schoolchildren’s vacations may attract more people.
8. October events
- Transat Jacques Vabre in Le Havre
This is one of the most famous offshore sailing races. At the end of October, the sailors leave the port to cross the Atlantic to Martinique. Before that, ten days of festivities are planned in the city. 500,000 tourists are expected.
- FÊNO or Festival of made in Normandy in Rouen
For two days, 25,000 visitors discover Normandy’s areas of excellence: gastronomy, crafts, culture, innovation, tourism…
- Foire Saint-Romain in Rouen
This funfair takes place in Rouen for a month, between October and November. It welcomes one and a half million visitors.
- Scallop festivals
Normandy is the leading region for this product. Many towns organize these festivities from October to early December: Dieppe, Port-en-Bessin, Villers-sur-Mer, Granville, Ouistreham, Grandcamp-Maisy, Trouville-sur-Mer…
- Cider and apple festivals
Many towns celebrate cider and apples between September and November: Rives-en-Seine, Vimoutiers, Beuvron-en-Auge, Conches-en-Ouche, Touques, Auppegard, etc.
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
9. October 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 October, prices are rather low due to the low number of visitors. However, they may increase during the All Saints’ vacation period.
When to go to Normandy, the other months…
- 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
Or read our article on when to go to Normandy.
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…
