An unusual accommodation, a less classical destination, activities you have never tried… There are plenty of ways to get away from it all on the weekends.
Here are our ideas for an unusual weekend in Normandy.
Something to surprise you by the sea, in the countryside, in the mountains (surprise!) or in the city…
In our selection, we offer you different options with classic accommodation but unusual destination or unusual accommodation (bubble, cabin, barrel…) near a more classic destination. What to spend original weekends.
This selection is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
To see our best-of weekends in Normandy, all styles, read this article.
1. Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and the Island of Tatihou
What is unusual
For us, it was one of the places in Normandy that gave us the most change of scenery and activities.
Indeed, between low and high tide, the views towards the island of Tatihou are very different with the appearance of oyster beds.
And to get to the island, you have to take the amphibious boat. Depending on the tide times, you can either drive or sail across the river!
Where is it located?
On the Cotentin peninsula, 35 min drive east of Cherbourg.
And just north ofUtah Beach Beach.
What to do during the weekend
- Admire the changing tides and the appearance of oyster beds
- Take the amphibious boat to visit the island of Tatihou
- Walk to see the corresponding fort on land
- Go for a walk around to visit the village of Barfleur and the lighthouse of Gatteville
- Utah Beach is not far away if you are interested in the landing beaches
Where to sleep
- The Houses of Tatihou
For an even more extraordinary weekend, sleep on the island of Tatihou itself!
– see pictures and availability - Hotel de France
Small charming hotel, close to the port
– see pictures and availability - or see the best rated accommodations
2. Sleeping in a barrel
What is unusual
Sleeping in a barrel! It is really an amazing experience.
On the road of apples, cider and Normandy cheeses, an atypical accommodation will complete a weekend that will awaken your senses.
We haven’t tested the cider barrel yet (but we plan to!), but we did test a wine barrel in the Loire, as pictured below.
Where is it located?
Mainly in the Calvados region, in the heart of Normandy.
But you can find different options in the countryside in Orne and Eure.
What to do during the weekend
- Visit cider houses
- Discover the Norman cheeses
- Local activities depending on the location of your cider barrel
- For example, the barrel in Vimoutiers listed below is next to the Camember village and the Camembert museum in Vimoutiers.
Where to sleep
- Emma’s Cider Barrel
Beautiful with its red banding!
Between Bayeux and Saint-Lô
– see pictures and availability – and book! - The Gîte Coup de Foudre
In Vimoutiers in the region of camembert!
– see pictures and availability – and book! - The Tonneaux de l’Eure
by the river, for a serene weekend
– see pictures and availability – and book!
Need to rent a car in Normandy?
Our advice:
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car (some city streets are narrow).
- Think of thefull insurance (some winding passages in the old villages and tight parking in the big cities).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Voir nos conseils
3. La Suisse Normande
What is unusual
Everything is in the name of the destination: La Suisse Normande…
Normandy is not very high in altitude overall.
However, there is a small area called Suisse Normande, where you almost feel like you are in the mountains.
This small area can be visited by car in one day. But if you like hiking or climbing, this could be an interesting destination for you.
What to do during the weekend
- Go and see our favorite viewpoints which are those of the Clécy viaduct and the Roche d’Oëtre.
- Go hiking
- Climbing
- Driving along the Ridge Route
- Canoeing on the rivers and in the “gorges
- For example, you can experience a beautiful Via Ferrata accessible to all – see details and availability
- Or get your adrenaline pumping with the giant zip line – see details and book
Where to sleep
- B&B Le Manoir de Placy
To have a view on the Norman mountains!
– see pictures and availability - B&B L’Ecurie
In an old Norman farm
– see pictures and availability - And for an unusual accommodation, check out the village of Kota-Venture with its typical Finnish accommodations – read more
- See the best rated accommodations in the region
4. Bubbles under the trees
What is unusual
The accommodation, it is not every day that you can sleep surrounded by trees but with the comfort of a good bed.
See photos and availability – and book!
We haven’t tested it yet, but it’s on our list. Here are the photos from their Instagram account that make us want to go there:
Where is it located?
This accommodation is located in Saint-Jouin de Bruneval, between Le Havre and Etretat, along the Alabaster Coast.
What to do during the weekend
- Sit and admire the leaves of the trees, the colors and the lights through the branches.
- Visit the Gardens of Etretat, surprising: nature, art and view on the cliffs! You’ll be inspired together! Reserve your entrance
- Visit Etretat and its magnificent cliffs – see our complete article on What to do in Etretat
- Visit Le Havre with its works of art in the heart of the city and its unusual church by its construction! See our article on what to do in Le Havre.
Where to sleep
You are welcomed in a wooded area of 3 hectares with a house full of charm and 2 transparent domes in the middle of the trees.
A green and quiet place!
See photos and availability – and book!
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5. Unusual architecture, street art in Le Havre, and rollerblading!
What is unusual
Okay, it’s a big city… but it’s a city unlike any other!
Destroyed during the war, its modern architecture by Perret has been classified by Unesco.
But in the midst of these buildings, you discover architectural and artistic works that contrast and bring lightness and color.
We love our hometown!
What to do during the weekend
- The architecture of Auguste Perret, which was wonderful for the reconstruction. Do not miss the church of St. Joseph and its 107m tower.
- The fascinating theater called “Le Volcan” with fluid lines contrasting with the square lines of Perret’s buildings.
- The many works of modern art throughout the city, including “La Catène” with its colorful containers
- The MuMa Museum and its impressionist works
- Rollerblading! Le Havre has a very long promenade along the sea and a large esplanade ideal for rollerblading! We love to enjoy the quality of sliding
- See our complete guide to Le Havre
Where to sleep in Le Havre
- Hilton Garden Inn
One of the few hotels with sea view rooms, right next to the marina and St. Joseph church.
– see pictures and availability - Hotel Spa Vent d’Ouest
A charming hotel with a view of St. Joseph’s church. A little weekend cocooning awaits you!
– see pictures and availability - Hotel spa Le Pasino
An imposing building transformed into a casino and hotel. Your room will be bathed in light and perhaps with a view of the pools
– see pictures and availability - or see the best rated accommodations
6. Tipis and tents perched in the trees
The Woody Park near Fécamp, offers you a whole collection of unusual accommodations:
- tents hanging from trees to be rocked by nature!
- tipis, to stay closer to the trees (but they call them bungalows or lodges)
See photos and availability – and book!
We have not yet tested, but it is also on our list (the list is long… because Normandy is beautiful!). The photos on their Instagram account make us envious:
What to do during the weekend
- Enjoy all the activities of the park: Accrobranche, paintball, tree climbing…
- Visit Fécamp: Benedictine Palace, old sailing ships – see all our ideas
- Go up to Cap Fagnet to admire the cliffs of the Alabaster coast
See photos and availability – and book!
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7. On a boat
Or, on the contrary, get closer to the sea or the rivers.
You can choose to spend the weekend on the water, to get a new perspective on things!
Here are some options in Normandy:
- Zimon’s boat
On the Seine in Rouen, in a quiet place for a complete change of scenery
– see pictures and availability – and book! - A Vintage Yacht in Deauville
In the Normandy city of glamour, what could be more appropriate than sleeping on a vintage yacht
– see pictures and availability – and book! - Boat in the port of Ouistreham
A colorful option, close to the beach and the landing sites.
– see pictures and availability – and book!
8 – The unusual Mont-Saint-Michel
What is unusual
Many people don’t think of Mont-Saint-Michel when they are looking for an unusual weekend.
But that’s because you’re thinking about the crowds of the day.
For an ultra-deranged weekend and a trip back in time, sleep on the intramural mountain, enjoy its incredible atmosphere at night and escape during the day.
We loved it! A truly unusual experience. And sometimes we even think we’re in a Harry Potter yarn(see why).
What to do during the weekend
- Walk to the Mont-Saint-Michel and admire the views
- Walk around the ramparts and the village after dark – see our photos
- To visit the impressive abbey, we advise you to do so at first light before the arrival of the groups – be careful! – book here
- Try a new experience for two, by taking a microlight tour over the Mont-Saint-Michel – see availability and book
- Watch the sunset from the mountain, and the beautiful bay all around
- Participate in one of the smartphone games around the visit of the village
- More ideas in our article on what to do in Mont-Saint-Michel
Where to sleep
- Auberge Saint-Pierre Hotel
in Intramuros for the authenticity of the building
– see pictures availability - Auberge de La Croix Blanche
Some rooms are just above the ramparts
– see prices, pictures and availability - Hotel Les Terrasses Poulard,
in the intramuros, some rooms in the detached house are larger and have nice views
– see pictures availability
See our article on where to sleep at Mont-Saint-Michel
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
→ Best-of
Best things to do in Normandy
Best cities in Normandy
Most beautiful beaches of Normandy
Most beautiful villages of Normandy
Best castles of Normandy
Best abbeys of Normandy
Read our complete guide to visit the Mont-Saint-Michel
Discover the D-Day sites
→ 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…
9. Unusual Rouen: Escape game in a historical dungeon and other activities
What is unusual
Ok it’s still a big city.
But with all these half-timbered houses and magnificent buildings, it is the disorientation assured.
Especially if you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary
What to do
- The escape game in the Donjon
In the 13th century, King Philip Augustus built an impressive fortress in Rouen. Today only the Keep still exists.
Inside you will discover historical elements around an Escape Game. An experience you won’t soon forget.
Read more - Visit the historial of Joan of Arc
Relive the trial of Joan of Arc in immersion with sounds and lights.
Read more - See the lights on the cathedral
- Go up the Big Clock tower and discover its mechanism
Where to sleep
- Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection
luxury in the heart of old Rouen
– see pictures and availability - Radisson Blu Hotel
modern and practical
– see pictures and availability - Hotel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert
for literature lovers
– see pictures and availability - Best Western Plus Hotel de Dieppe
modern and close to the station
– see pictures and availability - or See the best rated accommodations in Rouen
10. Cabin in the forest
Near the city of Vire, you can find another park with lots of unusual accommodations: It’s called “L’Étape en Forêt”.
They have: transparent bubble, hexagonal lodges, tree houses.
And for the activities, you can enjoy: course in the trees, giant zip lines, pony, mountain bike rental…
We haven’t tried it yet, but check it out, it looks nice and fun.
See photos and availability – and book
Need to rent a car in Normandy?
Our advice:
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car (some city streets are narrow).
- Think of thefull insurance (some winding passages in the old villages and tight parking in the big cities).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Voir nos conseils
Other ideas for unusual weekends in Normandy
Cerza Zoo Lodge
For those who like to spend hours watching animals, check out the lodges at Cerza Zoo. They have terraces on stilts to have a beautiful view of the domain.
And in the evening, you will be lulled by the exotic sounds of the animals.
Read more
Dream of the Bison Canadian Park
Again, if you love animals, discover the Canadian park of Normandy.
A nice surprise in the heart of the countryside!
In a clearing of the Forêt d’Eawy, you can discover the largest breeding of Canadian bison in Europe and also wolf packs.
As far as accommodation is concerned, the site offers real teepees but with all the modern comforts: heating, WC, Italian shower…
Read more
Other unusual accommodations in Normandy
And a lot of independents have also installed on their land unusual lodgings like yurts, trailers, tiny houses…
