9 Best Things to Do in Normandy

Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most iconic sights in France. Located at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches, it’s a medieval village built on top of a huge rock, including an abbey built in the 8th century. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's like you've travelled back in time. The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and Notre-Dame Sous Terre Chapel are just two of the must-see places here. Food-wise, you’ll find many crêperies - wheat flour and buckwheat pancakes restaurants - as well as the world-famous Omelette de la Mère Poulard – a restaurant reputed to serve the best omelet in the world, but also one of the most expensive. 

Étretat is a small town located on the coast of the Pays de Caux, 30 km northeast of Le Havre. It’s famed for its tall white chalk cliffs which reach heights of up to 90 metres above the sea. Three rock arches and one rock needle are especially worth mentioning; the Porte d'Aval and the Porte d'Amont can be seen from the beach of Étretat, while the Manneporte, the largest of the 3, is located further southwest. The Aiguille d’Étretat is a 70 metres high needle rock that juts out from the sea right next to the Porte d'Aval.

On June 6th 1944 the Normandy landings began the crucial battle to deliver France and Europe from the Nazis. This historic military operation – first of its kind at such a scale – has left many memorials, monuments, museums, and cemeteries that gives you the opportunity to learn more about this period. Many people come here to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their life. From the extremely moving Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial near Omaha Beach to the informative D-Day Museum in Arromanche, there are many sites dedicated to these tragic events along the Norman Coast.

Explore the nooks and crannies of Rouen Old Town which features some splendid edifices dating back to the 13th century. From Notre-Dame Cathedral to The Grand Horloge, and from Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc Church to Saint-Ouen Abbey, you’ll wander through narrow cobblestoned streets bordered by well-preserved timbered houses. For lunch, head to the Vieux-Marché (the Old Market), a city square that hosts a good choice of restaurants for all budgets, including the excellent Un Grain De, which serves dishes made from local products.

Originally founded by the Vikings and positioned around the Vieux Bassin (the Old Basin), Honfleur Old Town went through many renovations yet kept its historical soul featuring buildings from the 16th century onward. The edifices you should not miss during your walk around the narrow cobblestoned lanes of Honfleur Old Pier are the Lieutenancy, Saint-Catherine Church, and the Attic Salt. As for lunching, two popular spots include Le Perroquet Vert to L’Écailleur. This very picturesque harbour hosts a good choice of excellent seafood restaurants located right on the quays of the Old Basin.

Embroidered on linen during the 11th century, the Bayeux Tapestry is 69 metres long and 50 centimetres high. It tells the story of the Conquest of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, in 1066. Listed as a ‘Memory of the World’ by UNESCO, the Bayeux Tapestry is the main highlight of this museum which counts 2 other branches in Bayeux: The Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy and the MAHB, which offers a journey through the history of European art. If you come by Bayeux, take a stroll in the medieval centre, it’s really charming and deserves to be seen.

Often referred to as the Parisian Riviera, Deauville is a seaside town that hosts all that’s required for an upscale style of holiday in France. You’ll find here opulent resorts, a casino, a marina, 2 hippodromes, and splendid 19th-century houses and villas. The Promenade des Planches (the wooded boardwalk) that runs along the beach, is the place to see and to be seen. If you’re passionate for cinema, the best time to go to Deauville is during the American Film Festival, held yearly at the end of August.

Normandy is a rural region well known for its cheeses and apple cider. Head to Livarot to sample 1 of the 4 famed cheeses produced in Normandy, called Livarot. The 3 others are Camembert, Pont l'Evêque and Pavé d'Auge. Accompanied by a glass of sweet and crisp apple cider, the nutty and fruity taste of Livarot is sublime. The best place to sample Livarot is at the Fromagerie Graindorge. You’ll learn how this cheese is produced and have the possibility to sample and purchase many local products. Accommodation wise, there's a variety of hotels in the city of Lisieux, 15 km away from Livarot and somewhat livelier.

If you're looking to indulge in healthy food during your holiday in Normandy, head to Dieppe. Two beneficial and delicious sea products can make your day if you head to the Port of Dieppe: herring (a fish full of Omega 3) and scallop (a shellfish that contains 80% of protein). Dieppe is a quaint seaside town located about 50 km north of Rouen. On the pier, some of the recommended seafood restaurants include Restaurant du Port and Taverne du Pirate on Quai Henry IV, and Le Turbot on Quai du Carénage. Besides your culinary visit, you could extend your stay by booking an extra night in a hotel located in central Dieppe to visit the 15th-century castle and the churches of Saint-Jacques and Saint-Rémi.