Wondering where to go in Normandy?
There are so many things to do that it can be difficult to find the best destination in Normandy.
Here is a list of our favorite spots with photos and explanations to help you decide whether to add them to your itinerary.
The most beautiful destinations in Normandy – summary
The most beautiful regions
The whole region of Normandy has a lot to offer – villages, castles, abbeys, natural sites, historical sites, cities… It is necessary to plan a lot of time to explore all its magnificent landscapes.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our favorite destinations in Normandy, to help you narrow down your plans.
For each of them, you will find below a section with the main things to do and places to stay.
Our 5 favorites, which we find the most varied, are:
- The Alabaster Coast for its impressive white cliffs, its charming towns and villages
- The Cotentin Peninsula for its wild coastline, its lighthouses and its charming villages
- The Vexin Normand for the variety of points of interest: the Seine, gardens, castles, villages, abbeys…
- The Pays d’Auge for its typical half-timbered architecture and its famous beaches
- The Boucles de la Seine for the calm, the nature and the historical abbeys.
But you also have of course, the great classics
- The Mont-Saint-Michel, a Unesco site with an impressive abbey on an island
- The famous World War II sites around Utah andOmaha Beach
- The Norman Switzerland with its “mountain” type of landscape
- and the large cities of Rouen and Caen
Where to go in Normandy – Destination maps
To help you find your way around, you will find below a global identification of the destinations:
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.
#1 – Alabaster Coast – Where to go in Normandy
Why visit?
The Alabaster Coast is my favorite part of Normandy. That’s where I live.
The region extends over 130 km along the coast, from Le Havre to Le Tréport, and offers magnificent white chalk cliffs all along the way. Their height varies from 30 to 120 m.
The most famous corner of this Norman destination is the small town of Étretat, because erosion has created works of art in these cliffs: arches and pinnacles.
However, all along the coast is beautiful. The cliffs are cut in some places by the water, which creates valleys (small valleys) sometimes very narrow, sometimes wider (where we find small villages).
There are many other beautiful sites to visit, see below our favorite villages and cliff viewpoints.
The most beautiful places
It is worth visiting the entire coastline: at every potential viewpoint and every access to the beach, the cliffs are always impressive.
The best views, in our opinion, are:
- Étretat from both sides (although I prefer to walk along the cliffs below) – see our article
- Cap Fagnet, just north of Fécamp – old church, bunkers and impressive views in both directions
- The walk in the very narrow valley of Varengeville (Gorge des Moutiers)
The main cities of the coast are :
- Le Havre, Unesco site, where modern art blends with post-war Perret architecture
- Fécamp, with the famous Palais de la Bénédictine
- Dieppe with its fortified castle protecting the entrance to the port
Other places are worth visiting:
- Veules-les-Roses, a charming village with the shortest river in France
- Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, another town surrounded by beautiful cliffs
- Yport, a beautiful narrow village in a valley with typical flint houses of the region
Lots of pictures on our article dedicated to the Alabaster Coast.
Where to stay?
We highly recommend spending at least one night in Étretat to enjoy the beautiful cliffs with different tides (at low tide you can access other beaches) and the softer light of sunset and sunrise.
See all top rated accommodations in Étretat // or see our selection of the best hotels
We also love the little town of Valery-en-Caux – it’s pretty central to the whole coast. It is therefore an excellent starting point to explore the region.
See the best rated accommodations in Saint-Valery
If you want to enjoy a 7-day road trip along the coast, I will:
1 night in Le Havre – see accommodations // or see our selection of the best hotels
2 nights in Étretat – see the accommodations
1 night in Fécamp – see the accommodations
1 night in Saint-Valéry-en-Caux – see the accommodations
1 night in Dieppe – see the accommodations
1 night in Le Tréport – see the accommodations
To Know
- The cliffs are made of chalk so they are not very stable – don’t walk to the end of the cliff and don’t sunbathe right at the foot of the cliffs
- In some places, you have to climb up or down the cliffs to reach the viewpoints – bring comfortable shoes
- Despite the reputation of rain in Normandy, the sun can be quite harsh in summer. And because of the slight sea breeze, you may not feel it. Protect yourself!
#2 – Cotentin Peninsula – where to go in Normandy
Why visit?
With the exception of the main city of Cherbourg, the Cotentin Peninsula offers a wilder landscape than the rest of Normandy.
Its coastline is particularly beautiful with cliffs, sandy beaches, rocky areas… with some of the oldest rocks in France.
You can have rain, wind and sun… you will feel the elements and feel refreshed by nature as you explore the area.
The most beautiful places
The main city is Cherbourg, famous for being the backdrop for “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”. Today, its main attraction is “La Cité de la Mer”, a giant museum about the sea where you can see submarines and learn about marine life.
The region is also home to several castles and their beautiful gardens and parks.
However, the main interest of the peninsula is the coastline with its cliffs, islands, beaches and lighthouses:
- The cliffs of Nez le Jobourg,
- The sand dunes of Hattainville,
- La Hague Lighthouse,
- The Gatteville Lighthouse,
- The island of Tatihou with its fortification (Unesco site),
- and the surrounding villages such as Barfleur and Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue.
Where to stay?
- Cherbourg is the main city
See the best rated accommodations in Cherbourg - However, I think that one of the best places to stay in Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue. Thus, you can see the impressive changes between high and low tide and visit the island of Tatihou easily
See the best rated accommodations in Saint-Vaast - There are not many places with a lot of accommodations, so changing hotels every night is not the best option. It is easier to choose a place to stay for a few days to explore the area.
To Know
- As the area is wilder, the roads are smaller. Allow sufficient time to visit the area.
- Look at the tide tables. Your experience of each place will be completely different in some places depending on whether you visit at low or high tide.
- If you are exploring the Cotentin Peninsula, plan a day trip to Mont Saint Michel, the famous island port – a 2-hour drive from Cherbourg – visit early
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
#3 – The Vexin Normand
Why visit?
We believe that the Vexin Normand offers one of the best combinations of history, art, architecture and nature in Normandy. This variety will offer you a fascinating vacation.
In this area you can see:
- Old villages with a lot of character
- Impressive fortifications and castles with an intense history
- The Seine and the chalk cliffs
- The old forest areas
- A charming countryside
The impressionists loved the beauty of this region. Many paintings represent his landscapes. Monet’s gardens in Giverny are one of its main attractions.
The most beautiful places
So many things to list here! Here are my favorites:
- Monet’s gardens and the village of Giverny – learn more with a guided tour
- The view of Château Gaillard and the old part of Andelys, along the Seine.
- The circular castle of Gisors
- The charming town of Vernon, with the famous old mill on the river
- The beautiful village of Lyons-la-Forêt and the surrounding forest
- The Castle of Vascoeuil with its park
- The abbey of Mortemer
- …
Where to stay?
- In the vicinity of Vernon, you will find a good collection of accommodations that will give you easy access to the area.
See the best rated homes in Vernon - Les Andelys is another choice with some good restaurants and walking trails along the river.
See the best rated accommodations in Les Andelys - Alternatively, accommodations in the countryside will provide relaxing opportunities – zoom out on the maps from the links above to find more options
To Know
Giverny is a very touristic area. Many people visit it on a day trip from Paris. Book your ticket in advance and visit Monet’s gardens early in the morning and learn more with a guided tour.
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#4 – Pays d’Auge
Why visit?
The Pays d’Auge is the most famous destination in Normandy. It covers a large part of the central region – with part of the Calvados coast and countryside.
He is most famous for two reasons:
- the numerous half-timbered houses that can be seen in most villages. Some have only a few, but some villages have entire streets. These are often classified as “the most beautiful villages of France”.
- the coast with its beautiful sandy beaches and famous seaside resorts such as Deauville
The most beautiful places
The main city is Lisieux, but the highlights of the region are :
- The seaside resorts with their long sandy beaches: Cabourg, Deauville, Villers-sur-Mer
- Inland towns and villages with their half-timbered houses: Beuvron-en-Auge, Honfleur with the old town and the old port, Pont l’Évêque…
- And the famous cheeses and drinks: Camembert, Pont l’Évêque, Cidre, Calvados…
Learn more in our article Visiting the Pays d’Auge.
Where to stay?
- There is much to see in the area and many places to stay. It is a tourist destination.
See our guide on where to sleep in Honfleur - Deauville, if you want to experience historic glamour
See our selection of the best hotels - If you only want to stay in one place, Pont-l’Évêque is very central and will give you easy access to the whole region
See the best rated accommodations in Pont-l’Évêque - As far as seaside resorts are concerned, my favorite is Cabourg
See the best rated accommodations in Cabourg
To Know
- The coastal area is a famous destination. It is very popular during the summer and school vacations as well as on weekends, as Parisians like to get away from it all. Book early or avoid these periods
- Honfleur is an old port. There is only one street that passes over the bridge. City driving can be very slow and difficult, especially during the summer months
- Deauville has several large parking lots. On the other hand, Cabourg and Villers-sur-Mer do not have any. It can be very difficult to find a parking space in the middle of the day in summer
#5 – The Boucles de la Seine, a Norman destination
Why visit?
The banks of the Seine offer a less varied experience than other regions. But there is something special about this corner of Normandy.
It is a place where you travel back in time, imagine how life was in the days when abbeys were the center of life.
If you like walking, this is a great place for you. The area around the river has 1200 km of hiking trails with valleys, cliffs, forests and marshes.
We think this is the best place to slow down and enjoy the changing lights of the river, as many painters have done.
The most beautiful places
- Discover the route with the abbeys including: Jumièges, Saint-Martin de Boscherville, Saint-Wandrille
- Walk along the river: for example, the loop where Jumièges is located
- Birdwatching in the Marais Vernier marsh
- End the trip in Rouen and visit its many historical buildings
Where to stay?
- You can start in Le Havre
See the best rated accommodations in Le Havre - And finish in Rouen
See the best-rated accommodations in Rouen // or see our selection of the best hotels - Otherwise, Caudebec-en-Caux is a nice little town that is quite central and offers easy access to all sites
See the best rated housing in Caudebec-en-Caux
To Know
Your GPS can show you shortcuts to your next destination. The road sign often indicates the shoreline road. It is longer but offers more beautiful views.
#6 – Mont-Saint-Michel and the Avranchin
Why visit?
Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most famous attractions in France. It is a Unesco heritage site. The abbey at the top is one of the most beautiful in Normandy.
It’s quite an impressive sight, when you arrive from the continent.
The small island is covered with fortifications and houses and there is a massive abbey on top. It is a must-see.
The surrounding area is called the Avranchin – around the town of Avranches. It offers beautiful beaches and historical buildings.
The most beautiful places and tips
- The Mont-Saint-Michel itself with its abbey at the top. We recommend visiting early to avoid the crowds as the streets are very narrow. Book your free entrance to the abbey
- Wear good shoes
- Take a tour of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay with viewpoints such as the Roche-Torin
- Visit Avranches and the Scriptorial Museum with the Mont-Saint-Michel scripts
- …
Where to stay?
We find it really worthwhile to sleep on the Mont-Saint-Michel to enjoy the unique atmosphere at night. See our guide to the 7 intramural hotels.
See the best rated accommodations in the area
Or see our article on where to sleep at Mont-Saint-Michel.
A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE AT Mont-Saint-Michel
Step 1: Plan and get there
Step 2: Decide on your program
Step 3: decide where to sleep
#7 – The beaches and landing sites
Why visit?
You can find World War II sites all over France, but the most famous are the D-Day landing beaches: Omaha Beach, Utah Beach…
Along the coast north of Bayeux, history buffs will have a lot of fun: there are many battle artilleries, museums, battle sites…
Apart from the war-related visits, you can also enjoy the small towns, some abbeys and castles.
The most beautiful places
The 5 landing beaches: Utah, Omaha, Juno, Gold Beach and Sword Beach Beach and in particular :
- The American Cemetery
- The sculpture on Omaha beach
- The Caen Memorial Museum
- The remains of the Mullberrey port on the beach of Arromanches
- …
Where to stay?
The most convenient cities to stay and visit all the landing beaches are :
- Bayeux, a charming little town inland
see the best hotel offers // or see our selection of the best hotels - Arromanches-les-bains, central and at the seaside, it is at the level of Gold Beach
see the best hotel offers - Caen is the largest city in the area
see the best hotel offers
MORE ABOUT THE D-Day sites
- The best landing sites to visit
- Visit the 5 D-Day landing beaches
- Where to stay – best hotels near the beach
- The best D-Day museums in Normandy
- German batteries to visit – coming soon
- Car rental tips: Caen – Roissy-CDG – Orly – Beauvais
- Visit Omaha Beach
- Visit Utah Beach
- Visit Gold Beach
- Visit Sword Beach
- Visit Juno Beach (coming soon)
#8 – La Suisse Normande
Finally, 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.
Our favorite viewpoints are those of the Clécy viaduct and the Roche d’Oëtre.
See the best rated accommodations in the region
Do not make
THE SAME MISTAKE WE MADE
On one of our last trips to Europe, a hacker stole our credit card details while we were using a hotel WiFi.
So our trip began with a “card blocked” call… Not funny at all!
Learn from our mistake, make a small VPN investment to surf without worry.
#9 – The city of Rouen
Why visit
Rouen is a cultural and historical city. In terms of historical buildings, it is the most fascinating to visit.
It has a high concentration of listed buildings and just walking around is fascinating.
Moreover, its cathedral is one of the most impressive in Normandy and France and has played an important role in history.
What to see
- The old streets with a myriad of historical buildings
- The “Big Clock” – an impressive clock tower / door (with a time movement system dating back to 1389)
- History and Joan of Arc Museum
- Notre Dame Cathedral – the resting place of kings
See Rouen’s top-rated accommodations // or see our selection of the best hotels
#10 – The city of Caen
Why visit
Located in the heart of Normandy, it is very convenient for exploring the region.
Caen has a rich history due to William the Conqueror.
The religious buildings that surround the city are the highlights.
A large part of the city was destroyed during the liberation in 1944.
But some older houses can be found by walking around the pretty downtown.
What to see
- Abbaye aux Hommes (Abbey)
- The ruins of the castle
- World War II Memorial and Museum
- The old districts and the churches
See the best rated accommodations in Caen.
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…
