Normandy France Travel Guide: Top 6 Things To See & Do in Normandy

The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, or Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, is what everyone goes to the island to see. The abbey is very impressive, and interestingly has had a monastic presence on the site since as early as the 8th century. We recommend you take the guided tour to learn about the history within the walls. Also, make sure to take some time to really enjoy the views, explore the abbey, and stroll through the beautiful courtyards.

When you are walking up the abbey, why not take a stop off at the Eglise Paroissiale Saint-Pierre, a quaint and peaceful chapel halfway up the mount. This small chapel oozes tranquility and can be a much-needed space to regain a sense of peace away from the large crowds of tourists. For a hidden gem that is even more off the beaten track, check out La Chapelle-Saint-Aubert.

La Grande Rue is the main street in Mont-Saint-Michel and is something out of a fairy tale or story book. To admire its beauty when it is less crowded by tourists, walk down the street at dusk or during the off-season. It is also very steep, so remember to wear sensible shoes.

Caen Memorial Museum is often considered the best place to start any D-Day sightseeing tour. However, this means that it can often be very busy with tourist groups in the morning. Even when it is busy you should not expect to queue for longer than around half an hour, although it can become quite crowded inside.

If you wish to avoid the crowds or are not doing a full D-Day sightseeing tour, it gets much quieter in the afternoon, especially after 3pm. As tourist groups are more prevalent during the week, it is also best to visit on a weekend to avoid large crowds. The busiest times of the year are usually in summer, but there are also lots of school trips around May. Check school vacation times to prepare for how crowded the museum might be at that time of year before visiting.

Visit the beach itself, which is dotted with the remains of German bunkers. On the shore you will find an imposing sculpture aptly called ‘The Brave’, which was created to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who faced danger during the war.

The front of this museum blends into the horizon of the beach with an infinity pool, becoming an extension of the beach itself, that allows you to immerse yourself and reflect on its history. Omaha Beach Memorial Museum has an impressive display of military uniforms, vehicles, and objects from WWII. Much of the collection will leave you to ponder the effects and sufferings of the fighting, the most poignant being a well-loved teddy bear that was owned by a child caught up in the war.

Above Omaha Beach you will find the Normandy American Cemetery, which lays rest to almost 10,000 American soldiers who lost their lives in the battle for Normandy. Take your time to reflect on the graves and pay your respects before winding down to the beach to imagine how courageous they must have been.

The impressive, grand, white, chalky cliffs in Étretat make for some of the most magical views. Its cliffs include three naturally formed arches and a pointed formation known as L’Aiguille, or the Needle. The Needle rises 230ft above the sea, and some of the cliffs are as high as 300ft. There is no wonder why this area has inspired many famous artists, including as many as 80 works by Claude Monet.

The Old Town in Étretat is the perfect place to explore while taking a leisurely stroll and can be a nice place of solace when the beaches are very crowded. The Old Town has some fantastic examples of Anglo-Norman half-timbered houses and architecture, some of which have intricate wooden decorations on their roofs, pillars, and beams.

For the best views of Étretat, climb to the Notre Dame de la Garde chapel. Though this chapel is relatively new, dating from 1950, it replaces a seafarers’ chapel that was destroyed by WWII in 1942. From here you will get unrivalled views of the chalk cliffs.

The grounds of the Château de Fontaine-Henry boast around thirty old games that are installed for the public to use. If you are feeling a bit more daring, attempt to escape or simply stroll around the human-sized labyrinth. Whilst in the grounds, take a moment to admire the richly sculpted façade of the château.

The interior of the Château de Fontaine-Henry can only be visited on a guided tour, which lasts for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and a half. The tour will take you through the lounges on the ground-floor, to the fine furniture and antique paintings of the upper floors, and also include a visit to the seigniorial chapel from the 13th and 16th centuries.

Deauville is the closest seaside resort to Paris and so rose to prominence as a fashionable holiday resort for the international upper class. To this day it hosts glamorous events such as polo matches, horse racing and the Deauville American Film Festival, as well as being home to two world-class golf courses and many high-end hotels. Don’t miss the famous wooden boardwalk and seawater swimming pool.

In contrast to the prestigious Deauville is the rustic and authentic seaport of Honfleur, with picturesque streets and colorful cafes. The old harbour at the heart of Honfleur, Vieux Bassin, is particularly well known for its iconic narrow, tall, colorful timber-framed houses.

The main attraction of the Musée de las Tapisserie de Bayeux is of course the 230 feet long Bayeux Tapestry, but there is much more to the museum, too. It really is a must-see attraction along the Côte Fleurie. The museum is usually closed during January every year so double check the opening hours before planning your visit.