Things to do in Normandy

One of the best places to visit in Normandy is to drive along the Alabaster Coast. This 80-mile stretch offers stunning scenery and takes you through great towns and villages, too.

Lovely Étretat is famous for its rock formations, including arches and the Needle, which have been formed over time by erosion, and views across the English Channel. As one of the prettiest Normandy places to see, it was also a favourite subject among the Impressionists and has been included in many different works of art over the years.

Discover Bayeux from a different perspective with a walk or bike ride along the River Aure. A trip along the trail will allow you to see old restored mills and wash houses from years ago. Here, a bike ride along the river can be a fun thing to do with families in Normandy. 

A trip to Normandy is not complete without seeing Mont-Saint-Michel.  It’s an ancient UNESCO World Heritage site set on a granite island. As one of the best things to do in Normandy, this 8th-century monastery is one of France’s most recognisable landmarks and can be spotted from miles around.

Although the mount has been of religious importance since 708, the abbey was not built until the 10th century and has been a place of pilgrimage ever since. To get to the top, you will need to walk up the steep, winding street, which is now lined with shops, restaurants, and museums.

Many visitors use their holiday to do and see everything related to the war in Normandy and learn about the monumental D-Day landings. During these tours of Normandy's beaches, visitors can view the beautiful coastline and one of the prettiest places in Normandy while learning about the dramatic events of the largest seaborne invasion in history, which are vividly brought to life by expert guides.

You can discover even more about this era by visiting the Mémorial de Caen, a war museum and memorial covering events from the end of World War I to the end of the Cold War, located in the city of Caen. This is a must-see place in Normandy to fully immerse yourself in Normandy’s history and culture. It is also a great thing to do in Normandy with kids, as the experts truly make it interactive as well as informative.

One of the top places to visit in Normandy is 10km inland from the coast. Here, you will find the fascinating town of Bayeux, where you can wander its cobbled streets and visit the Bayeux Tapestry, a 70 metre long and 50cm wide wall-hanging showing the events leading up to William the Conqueror seizing England in 1066. 

Rouen Cathedral is a must see in Normandy. The 800 year old gothic masterpiece is famous for boasting the tallest spire in France and serving as the muse for Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Don’t forget to visit the step inside to see the tomb containing the heart of Richard the Lionheart on your visit to the cathedral. 

Bayeux has its own Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1077 and was the original home of the tapestry before it was moved. Here, the tapestry is a worldwide attraction for all visitors, making it one of the most famous places in Normandy.