Summary
Exploring the remarkable attractions in Normandy allows visitors to witness iconic monuments and breathtaking landscapes that have captured the imagination for generations.
This includes Mont-Saint-Michel and the Bayeux Tapestry, as well as settings depicted in the artwork of Claude Monet, such as the cliffs of Étretat, the harbor of Honfleur, and the artist’s lush gardens.
The Impressionist movement originated in Normandy, inspired by Monet’s “Impression, Sunrise” at Le Havre.
Furthermore, Normandy is historically significant as the site of pivotal battles during the Second World War, with its coastline dotted with memorials, museums, bunkers, and beaches.
This article presents the best attractions to experience in Normandy:
1. Étretat Cliffs
Étretat, situated in the Seine-Maritime department, is a small coastal town nestled among a stunning maritime landscape.
On either side of the town, one can find towering white limestone cliffs, characterized by three natural arches and a 55-meter needle.
From the beach, visitors can gaze eastward to La Porte d’Amont, the smallest of the arches, or westward to the impressive L’Arche et l’Aiguille, a scene famously captured by both Monet and Gustave Courbet.
Continuing beyond these landmarks, you will find Étretat’s largest arch, La Manneporte, accessible via a brief yet picturesque walk along the GR21 trail atop the cliffs.
2. Mont-Saint-Michel
Recognized globally, the UNESCO-listed Mont-Saint-Michel is a tidal island located at the intersection of Normandy and Brittany, at the mouth of the Couesnon River.
The island has been topped by a monastery since the 700s, with its architectural integrity significantly developed during Norman times, when ducal patronage facilitated the construction of the magnificent abbey atop, alongside fortifications below.
Mont-Saint-Michel retained substantial strategic importance, remaining largely invulnerable to British assaults during the Hundred Years’ War.
The winding path leading to the grand abbey at the peak evokes a sense of adventure, particularly when fewer tourists are present.
3. Honfleur
This charming old harbor in Calvados, situated just across the Seine from Le Havre, also inspired the Impressionists.
The vista of the harbor from the Quai Saint-Etienne is incredibly picturesque, revealing tall, narrow slate-clad residences nestled behind moored sailboats.
Furthermore, it is essential to visit Saint-Catherine’s Church, a remarkable timber structure erected by shipbuilders in the 15th century, resembling the hull of a boat.
The wooden bell tower was deliberately placed away from the church to mitigate fire risks.
4. Tapisserie de Bayeux
This renowned Anglo-Saxon embroidery spans 70 meters in length and half a meter in height, illustrating the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England.
The tapestry is exhibited in its entirety within a glass case at the museum in Bayeux.
An audio guide in multiple languages provides descriptive insights for each segment, covering the visit of Harold Godwinson to Normandy and his subsequent death at the hands of William the Conqueror’s forces in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Additionally, a short film upstairs presents further information and context, along with an exhibition featuring contemporary artifacts.
5. Claude Monet’s House and Gardens
Monet resided in this elegant residence in Giverny from 1883 until his passing in 1926. It is now a museum, preserving the artist’s home and studio as though he still occupied the space.
It is both haunting and inspiring to explore the kitchen, bedroom, dining room, and sitting room of this master artist, all tastefully decorated in vibrant colors that contrast sharply with the darker hues common in late-19th century décor.
Monet enthusiasts will treasure the grounds, where sunflowers, wisteria, a Japanese footbridge, and a water lily pond are distinctly recognizable from several of his most famed artworks.
6. Tatihou Island
Similar to Mont-Saint-Michel, Tatihou is a tidal island located near Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.
During low tide, visitors can traverse the oyster beds to reach the island, or, when the water levels rise, an amphibious vehicle is available.
The island is rich in history, having observed a significant naval conflict between the Anglo-Dutch fleet and the French in 1692, during which twelve French ships were sunk, along with events from the Napoleonic Wars, where a British frigate became grounded.
Today, it stands as a serene locale, featuring a small maritime museum showcasing artifacts recovered from naval battles, a botanical garden, and a relic from a former sea fortress.
7. Notre-Dame de Rouen
This solemn cathedral distinguishes itself in France as it retains its original 13th-century Episcopal palace within its complex.
The cathedral itself, originating from the 11th century, is a remarkable example of Norman Gothic architecture and served as the subject of a series of paintings by Claude Monet.
Having undergone renovations to its main spire in the 19th century, the cathedral reached a height of 151 meters, claiming the title of the tallest building in the world until 1880. Among numerous historical curiosities within are the tomb of Rollo, a Viking noble who became the first ruler of Normandy in the early 10th century, and a tomb containing the heart of Richard the Lionheart.
8. Old Rouen
The historic center of Rouen is considered one of the most enchanting in France, boasting around 2,000 half-timbered houses, many delightfully askew.
The majority date back to before the 1500s when this architectural style became regarded as a fire hazard.
Visitors can stroll along pedestrianized cobblestone streets that lead past numerous Gothic churches and significant landmarks, such as the Gros Horloge.
This spectacular astronomical clock, one of the oldest in the country, dates back to the 1300s and is situated above a Renaissance archway from 1529. The Church of Saint-Ouen is a must-see, representing a magnificent example of 14th-century Flamboyant Gothic architecture, featuring an organ by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, renowned as one of the finest in the world.
9. Le Havre
While several cities damaged by war chose to restore their original architecture, Le Havre undertook a more adventurous strategy, opting for a bold embrace of concrete.
This innovative redesign, guided by architect Auguste Perret, garnered UNESCO status for the city center and certainly captures the attention of modern architecture enthusiasts.
A clear exemplification of this is the Église Saint-Joseph, completed in 1956, which presents a classical appearance yet leverages the inherent structural strength of its materials by featuring a column-free central section.
Furthermore, the André Malraux Museum of Modern Art is a notable highlight, housing the second-largest collection of French Impressionist paintings in France, including works by Degas, Renoir, Manet, Gauguin, and Monet.
10. Gastronomic Experiences
Numerous French delicacies originate from Normandy, with Livarot and Camembert cheese standing out as two of the most delectable.
In the town of Livarot, located in the Calvados countryside, visitors can join a complimentary tour of Fromagerie Graindorge to observe the production of four Normandy AOP cheeses: Neufchâtel, Livarot, Pont l’Évêque, and Camembert, a true delight for cheese enthusiasts.
This region of Normandy is also abundant in apple orchards, producing cider (with four museums dedicated to this beverage) and calvados, an apple brandy.
Trace the Route du Cidre for a curated itinerary featuring presses and distilleries.
11. Airborne Museum
Located in Sainte-Mère-Église, this museum commemorates the paratroopers who landed in Normandy’s hinterlands during the pivotal days of June 5 and 6, 1944. This site was specifically chosen as the first village liberated by American forces, and is closely associated with the story of John Steele, whose parachute became entangled in the church’s belfry, leaving him suspended for two hours.
The museum resides on the grounds of a house destroyed during the conflict, exhibiting extensive documentary footage, photographs, weapons, tanks, planes, and a WACO glider.
One interactive segment immerses visitors in the experience of a paratrooper by providing access to a C-47 aircraft utilized in the Battle of Normandy.
12. Omaha Beach
One need not be a military historian to appreciate the profound significance of this hallowed battlefield located between Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes and Vierville-sur-Mer.
It is the site of one of the most defining moments of the Second World War, witnessing the most intense fighting among the D-Day beachheads on June 6, 1944. A monument marks the roadside, and visitors can also explore the Memorial Museum, which houses firsthand accounts of life during the occupation and testimonies from veterans about the assault in 1944. The museum also features exhibits showcasing personal belongings from soldiers of both alliances.
13. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen
This art museum in Rouen is an important destination for those who admire Impressionism.
The museum’s significance largely stems from the contributions of François Depeaux, an industrialist and art patron from the turn of the century, who generously donated his expansive collection to the museum in 1909. Works by artists such as Renoir, Degas, and Monet are prominently featured, alongside galleries housing masterpieces from as early as the 1400s.
Various major artistic movements are represented, including Renaissance and Baroque masters like Veronese, van Dyck, Rubens, Caravaggio, and Velázquez.
Additionally, the museum houses a collection of rare Russian icons, spanning from the 1400s to the 1800s.
14. Abbaye aux Hommes
The most exquisite Romanesque structure in Normandy, constructed from Caen’s distinctive butter-yellow limestone, contains the tomb of William the Conqueror.
Visitors may be surprised by the contemporary appearance of his tomb, as it has been relocated and altered multiple times throughout the last millennium.
Currently, there is a relatively modest 19th-century marker made of white marble.
The abbey’s serene cloister was reconstructed in the mid-18th century in the Tuscan style, with remnants of its fortifications from the Hundred Years’ War visible outside, including two towers on Rue du Carel and Rue Lebailly.
15. Château Gaillard
This imposing fortress is strategically positioned on a spur overlooking a bend in the River Seine, dominating the commune of Les Andelys.
Constructed by Richard the Lionheart in merely two years at the end of the 12th century, it was captured by Philip II in 1204. Over the ensuing centuries, it has changed hands between the English and French, remaining under French control since 1449. Although it was demolished in the 16th century, significant remnants remain, including the main keep, inner bailey, and substantial sections of the outer walls.
The vistas of the river and the verdant countryside surrounding Les Andelys are hauntingly picturesque.
