10 Unbelievable Places to Visit in Normandy
Looking for the best places to visit in Normandy? Read on for my top suggestions!
Normandy is a region that truly has it all – dramatic coastlines, charming villages, fascinating cities, and a significant history.
Here, you’ll find everything from medieval castles to stunning cliffs and quiet seaside towns to vibrant cities. The Normandy coast, lined with sheer white cliffs, rivals any postcard-worthy destination. Fancy a calmer destination? There’s no end to charming villages with half-timbered houses and lush, green countryside.
For history lovers, the region holds special importance as the site of the D-Day landing in World War II. And for art lovers, Normandy’s landscapes have long inspired iconic works by Impressionists like Monet.
Let’s jump into ten of the most beautiful and interesting places that should not be missed on a visit to Normandy!
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10 Incredible Places to Visit in Normandy
1. Mont St Michel
Mont Saint Michel is one of the most iconic sights in France, and visiting feels like stepping into a storybook. The island, crowned with its soaring abbey, rises dramatically above vast tidal flats.
Truly – I actually gasped out loud when I first saw Mont Saint Michel rising starkly in the distance.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is truly unique, not only because of its breathtaking views but also because of its dynamic tides, which are the highest in Europe.
The tide changes dramatically throughout the day, sometimes turning the Mont into an island, surrounded by water. At other times, it’s still connected to the mainland by vast sand flats.
At the top of the island is the stunning abbey, a masterpiece of medieval architecture that’s been standing for over a thousand years.
Wandering through its grand halls, chapels, and cloisters, you’ll get a sense of the history and spirituality that has long surrounded this place.
Beyond the abbey, you can walk along the island’s ancient ramparts for great views of the village and surrounding bay.
You can also walk through the tiny village just underneath the abbey, admiring the narrow streets and shops (although to be fair, the area is very touristy and gets packed in the middle of the day).
For a different perspective, you can even take a guided walk across the tidal flats around the Mont—just be sure to go with a guide to avoid the quicksand!
But the best part of Mont Saint Michel might be just admiring the views of the Mont from the mainland – whether you’re biking along paths, walking through fields, or crossing the bridge, there are numerous beautiful vantage points.
2. Rouen
Rouen is a beautiful city with colorful, half-timbered buildings, fascinating historical sites, and a close tie to Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc). It is also totally a hidden gem in France.
As for Joan of Arc, Rouen is where she was tried, convicted, and burned at the stake in 1431, and there are many ways to learn and connect with her story throughout the city.
You can visit the Jeanne d’Arc Historial, an interactive and really interesting museum that tells her story, or see the Church of Saint Joan of Arc, built next to the site of her execution.
Rouen is also famous for its half-timbered houses, with over 2,000 still standing – one of the largest remaining “collections” of half-timbered buildings in northern France.
As you wander through the narrow streets of Rouen, you’ll see many of these historic buildings with their charming, crisscrossing facades. This architecture gives the city a unique and almost fairytale-like feeling.
One of Rouen’s most striking landmarks is the Rouen Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The cathedral is especially known for its towering spire and for being the subject of several of Monet’s paintings.
Another must-see is the Gros Horloge, an ornate astronomical clock that dates back to the 14th century. It sits above a Renaissance archway and is one of Rouen’s most recognizable landmarks.
Rouen’s combination of history and architecture makes it a fascinating stop in Normandy.
3. Etretat
Etretat is a stunning seaside town in Normandy, best known for its dramatic white limestone cliffs.
These sheer cliffs, or falaises, extend along both sides of the town and offer some of the most iconic coastal views in France. These gorgeous views made the town a favorite destination for Impressionists, like Monet, who were drawn to the natural beauty.
The cliffs are by far the most famous feature of Etretat, and walking along the cliff paths is an absolute must. Each side of the town has its own walking trail that hugs the edge of the cliffs, offering panoramic views of the coastline.
The formations are breathtaking, with named rock features like the Falaise d’Aval and the Needle that create arches and stacks in the sea. If possible, I’d highly recommend walking the cliffs at sunset, when the soft light makes the white cliffs glow.
Aside from the cliffs, the town itself is charming, with a seaside promenade lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. The beach between the cliffs is a great spot to relax or picnic, with plenty of space to spread out.
4. D-Day Beaches
The D-Day Beaches in Normandy hold immense historical significance, marking one of the most pivotal moments of World War II.
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious invasion in history, aimed at liberating Nazi-occupied France.
The invasion took place across five main beaches—Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Each beach played a crucial role in the success of the operation, with distinct battles and sacrifices.
Today, visitors can visit the actual beaches, memorials, cemeteries, museums, and monuments that are scattered up and down the coastline, each highlighting some specific part of the operation.
For American visitors, Omaha Beach is often a highlight. It was the bloodiest of the landing sites, with over 4,000 casualties on the first day alone.
Today, Omaha Beach is a sobering place to visit, with its expansive shoreline juxtaposed against the backdrop of the American Cemetery, where over 9,000 soldiers are buried.
Other notable stops include the War Memorial Museum in Caen, which provides a comprehensive look at World War II and D-Day. Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Rangers famously scaled cliffs under heavy fire to neutralize German defenses was also a highlight.
The Paratroopers Museum really brought the airborne experience to life. For a quieter, more reflective visit, consider the British Normandy Memorial or the serene Canadian War Cemetery.
Each site across the D-Day beaches showcases unique stories of bravery, loss, and triumph – we were incredibly moved by what we saw and experienced.
5. Bayeux
Bayeux is a charming small town with a big historical impact, especially known for its incredible medieval sites and ties to World War II.
The Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century embroidered cloth, is a UNESCO-listed “monument” and the most famous attraction in town. This impressive tapestry measures 70 meters long (230 ft) and tells the story of William the Conqueror’s conquest of England.
The Bayeux Cathedral, a stunning Gothic structure built in the 11th century, dominates the town with its impressive spires and detailed architecture. William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, and King of England attended the cathedral’s inauguration.
Bayeux is also home to the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy, which shows visitors an overview of “key phases of the fighting and the day-by-day advances of the forces involved. It is essential preparation for visiting the memorial sites of summer 1944.”
Bayeux is a great stop if you’re interested in both medieval and World War II history.
6. Veules-les-Roses
This charming seaside town bears the designation of being among “the most beautiful villages in France.” In addition to being filled with rose bushes and other flowers, the town is notable for a couple of other things.
For example, it has a vibrant beach, beautiful vistas (it was frequented by Victor Hugo who drew inspiration from the area), and towering cliffs. But its most notable feature is a 1 km long promenade along the Veules River for which the town is named.
This walkway provides charming views of the river, but it is also interesting that the river is the shortest sea-bound river in France! At just over 1 km, you can follow the river from its source to where it flows into the sea.
7. Honfleur
Honfleur is a charming coastal town, located right where the Seine River meets the sea of the English Channel.
This historic fishing village is beloved for its picturesque port, cobblestone streets, beautiful gardens, and coastal views. The Vieux Bassin, Honfleur’s old harbor, is surrounded by quaint buildings and lively cafes, making it one of the most scenic spots in town.
One of the most notable landmarks is the Sainte Catherine Church, a unique wooden structure built by shipbuilders. Strolling through the narrow streets of Honfleur, you’ll find art galleries, cozy restaurants, and small shops, giving the town a laid-back, old-world vibe.
The Eugène Boudin Museum showcases artwork of different landscapes in Normandy by local Impressionist painters (aka some of the most famous Impressionists of the time).
Finally, the Jardin des Personalités and Le Jardin Retrouvé are two gorgeous gardens in town. They really surprised us with how beautiful and well executed they were.
They are also close to the seaside promenade, where you can admire the Normandy Bridge. This massive bridge connects upper and lower Normandy and is the largest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
8. Chateau Gaillard
Château Gaillard is a striking ruined castle overlooking the town of Les Andelys and the Seine River.
Built by Richard the Lionheart (the English king), this fortress played a crucial role in protecting Normandy from French invasions during the early Middle Ages.
The castle was built in 3 sections, the outer, middle, and inner bailey (a bailey is a type of fortified courtyard). The best preserved is the inner bailey, particularly since it was restored in the 2000s.
Here you can see the keep, the completed walls, and the outer walls with the trademark scalloped shape. This shape was inspired by Richard’s campaigns in the Middle East during the crusades.
The middle bailey contains the latrine tower, the chapel, and the well. The outer bailey features the largest towers, which are partially in ruins.
After Richard the Lionheart died, the French king decided to launch an invasion of Normandy, and after a yearlong campaign, was able to take the castle.
The story of the fall of the castle is fascinating! French soldiers clandestinely scaled the cliff and castle walls. They then entered the keep through the chapel windows and opened the drawbridge for the French army to enter and conquer.
One of the best parts of visiting Château Gaillard is the stunning view over the Seine and Les Andelys. The scenery alone makes the chateau worth a visit!
9. Lyons-la-Foret
Lyons-la-Foret is a charming, picture-perfect village in Normandy surrounded by forest with a charming stream running by town.
The village has a varied history that ranges from being well-known and visited by many kings of England and France, falling into relative obscurity, and then getting a bit of revitalization as a retreat for artists and vacationers.
Because Lyons-la-Foret is located in the heart of one of the best hunting grounds of the realm, the kings always retained it as a hunting retreat area.
In fact, the entire town was royal property until the French Revolution, and some of the kings of Normandy lived here. William the Conquerer’s son, King Henri I, died in the castle of Lyons-la-Foret.
The last king to regularly stay here was Charles 9th, in the late 1500’s.
The houses are half-timbered and super charming, and flowers fill the streets in summer. The main square is the heart of the town, here you can find a few cafes and the historic covered yet open-air market.
If you come on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday mornings, you can visit the produce market.
10. Giverny
Giverny, a town not far from Paris, is best known as the home of Claude Monet, where the famous painter lived and worked for over 40 years.
His house and gardens are a big draw for visitors, as you can get an immersive experience into Monet’s world. You first tour through his home, observing the spaces where he and his family lived and worked.
But the really special part of Monet’s home is his gardens, named the Clos Normand gardens.
The water lily pond and Japanese bridge are truly iconic, as they were the inspiration for dozens of Monet’s famed “Water Lilies” paintings. Strolling through the garden is quite literally walking in a painting.
If you’re a fan of art or simply enjoy beautiful landscapes, Giverny is worth visiting. I recommend coming in spring or summer when the gardens are in full bloom, making it easy to see why Monet was so captivated by this place.
The Wrap Up
Normandy is packed with places that feel straight out of history and others that are just plain beautiful. Between the coastline, with its famous cliffs, and the rolling green countryside dotted with charming towns, this region has something for everyone.
Whether you’re drawn by its WWII history, the villages filled with half-timbered houses, or the landscapes that inspired artists, Normandy a region with endless spots to explore and experience.
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