Normandy France: A Complete Travel Guide

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Normany France Travel Guide

Normandy is a region in Northern France rich in history and offers varied scenery and beauty, picturesque towns, and attractions.

In this article, you will find information on the main destinations, the best hotels, and a complete travel guide to plan a trip to Normandy.

Top Attractions and Destinations in Normandy

1. Le Mont Saint Michel

Le Mont Saint MichelPhoto Credit: Norbu GYACHUNG

The Mont Saint-Michel Abbey is a historic building and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

It is one of the most visited attractions in France, receiving around 3 million visitors per year.

2. Le Havre

Le HavreDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Alpert WANG

Le Havre, the largest city in Normandy, was seriously damaged during the Second World War and rose from the ashes to become a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site for its post-war architecture.

The city has excellent museum options and offers some great shopping opportunities.

3. Rouen

RouenPhoto Credit: jimmy desplanques

Rouen is the second largest city and the capital of Normandy.

The city has a charming historic center with half-timbered houses and offers excellent options for gourmet restaurants, crêperies, brasseries, pizzerias, and traditional restaurants.

Rouen Cathedral and its Gothic architecture are among the city’s tourist attractions.

4. Caen

CaenDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Rust Kenton

Caen is the third largest city in Normandy and is known for being home to attractions such as the Mémorial de Caen, Le Château de Caen, and Église Saint-Pierre de Caen.

5. Évreux

ÉvreuxPhoto Credit: Yan Agrit

Évreux is located 95.6 km from Paris. The city contains a rich historical, specialized, and artistic heritage.

6. Honfleur

HonfleurPhoto Credit: Jesper Brouwers

Honfleur is located on the banks of the Seine and has a beautiful harbor area. Colorful half-timbered houses jostle for position on the pier, as well as art galleries and restaurants.

7. Dieppe

DieppeDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Andréa Villiers

Dieppe has a long and eventful history and became the first seaside resort in France in the 1800s.

The 15th-century Dieppe Castle on a rocky hill offers an imposing view of the city and the sea and is one of the city’s attractions.

8. Le Tréport

Le TréportPhoto Credit: Iris

Le Tréport is located 32 km from Dieppe and is home to attractions such as the Tréport Funicular, the Musée du Vieux-Tréport, Le Tréport plage and the Église Saint-Jacques.

Mers-les-Bains Beach and Château d’Eu are close to Le Tréport.

9. Bayeux

BayeuxDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Veronica Reverse

Bayeux is a beautiful medieval town with antique shops, art galleries, and fantastic shops selling Norman products such as cider and cheese.

Bayeux Cathedral is an incredible work of architecture, and nearby are the Normandy Beaches and the British Normandy Memorial. The city is also home to the Musée de la Bataille de Normandie.

10. Balleroy-sur-Drôme

Balleroy-sur-DrômePhoto Credit: Eric Krull

Balleroy-sur-Drôme is 15 km from Bayeux, and the Château de Balleroy is its top attraction, built in the 17th century and designed by the renowned architect François Mansart.

11. Deauville

DeauvillePhoto Credit: Jean-Philippe Delberghe

Deauville is a popular beach destination on the Côte Fleurie, Normandy.

The city has luxury fashion brands, art galleries, furniture and antique stores, and food stores selling delicious local products.

12. Trouville-sur-Mer

Trouville-sur-MerDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Florian Delée

Trouville-sur-Mer was an elegant seaside resort for the aristocracy in the 1800s along with Deauville. Today it is a more family-oriented resort.

13. Étretat

ÉtretatPhoto Credit: Laurent Gence

Étretat is known for its spectacular cliffs and is a popular tourist site in Normandy.

The city has a charming old center with several shops, restaurants and cafés.

14. Fécamp

FécampDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Ignacio Giri

Fécamp is a coastal port on the Côte d’Albâtre, and the surrounding area is beautiful, with landscapes and cliffs to explore. It was also where the first Duke of Normandy built his palace.

15. Yport

YportPhoto Credit: Fleur

Yport is between Étrat and Fécamp, home to attractions such as the Casino Tranchant Yport and Plage Yport.

16. Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer

Saint-Laurent-sur-MerDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Nusa Urbancek

Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer is famous for the Omaha Beach Memorial Museum. The museum pays tribute to the soldiers who landed on the beaches.

Themed photos and signs show the events chronologically, from the German occupation to the American landing on Omaha Beach.

One of the bloodiest fighting scenes took place here during the D-Day Invasion.

17. Colleville-sur-Mer

Colleville-sur-MerDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Mathis Jrdl

Colleville-sur-Mer is located next to Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.

The Overlord Museum, Cimetière Américain de Normandie, and the Widerstandsnest 62 are some of its highlighted attractions.

18. Arromanches-les-Bains

Arromanches-les-BainsDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Jordi Vich Navarro

Arromanches-les-Bains is a small coastal town famous for its role in the D-Day landings during World War II.

During the invasion, Arromanches-les-Bains was chosen as the site for one of the Mulberry harbors, a temporary port built by the Allies to offload vehicles, supplies, and troops onto the beaches.

19. Jumièges

JumiègesDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: judith girard-marczak

Jumièges is located on the right bank of the Seine, 27.9 km from Rouen.

It is mainly known for the Abbaye de Jumièges, a typical Norman abbey from the Romanesque period.

20. Giverny

GivernyDestinations in Normandy – Photo Credit: Baptiste RIFFARD

Giverny is known for its spectacular Monet’s Gardens, where Monet painted many of his most famous works. It is home to reproductions of many of his most famous paintings.

The gardens are a relaxing place with beautiful horticulture that inspired a master.

Train Routes from Paris to Normandy

  • Paris – Rouen – 1h27m – Price: 9 Euros – Direct Train
  • Paris – Le Havre – 2h10m – Price: 20 Euros – Direct Train
  • Paris – Deauville – 2h06m – Price: 40 Euros – Direct Train
  • Paris – Caen – 2h07m – Price: 17 Euros – Direct Train

Train Routes from Caen

  • Caen – Beauvoir – 2h40m – Price: 8 Euros – Direct Train
  • Caen – Granville – 1h38m – Price: 8 Euros – Direct Train
  • Caen – Valognes – 0h55m – Price: 21 Euros – Direct Train

Train Routes from Rouen

  • Rouen – Le Havre – 0h57m – Price: 6 Euros – Direct Train
  • Rouen – Dieppe – 0h45m – Price: 6 Euros – Direct Train
  • Rouen – Fécamp – 1h20m – Price: 17 Euros – 1 Connection
  • Rouen – Deauville – 1h45m – Price: 26 Euros – 1 Connection
  • Rouen – Caen – 1h33m – Price: 8 Euros – Direct Train

Search Trains to Normandy

Best Tours to Normandy from Paris

Best Hotels in the Normandy

1. Mercure Mont Saint Michel

Mercure Mont Saint MichelPhoto Credit: Mercure Mont Saint Michel

The Mercure Mont Saint Michel is the perfect hotel for those who want to explore Mont Saint-Michel.

The hotel is just 2 km away and offers a shuttle service and great value for money.

The rooms are comfortable and equipped with a TV, a work desk, an electric kettle, and a minibar.

Route du Mont St Michel, 50170 Le Mont-Saint-Michel, France

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2. Ermitage – Mont-Saint-Michel

Ermitage – Mont-Saint-MichelHotels in Normandy France – Photo Credit: Ermitage – Mont-Saint-Michel

The Ermitage – Mont-Saint-Michel is an elegant hotel option in Beauvoir, close to Mont Saint-Michel and 127 km from Caen.

All rooms have a flat-screen TV, a work desk, a kettle, and a minibar.

The hotel offers concierge service and bicycle rental.

14 Rte du Mont Saint-Michel, 50170 Beauvoir, France

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3. Château de Boucéel – Mont Saint Michel

Château de Boucéel – Mont Saint MichelPhoto Credit: Château de Boucéel – Mont Saint Michel

Château de Boucéel – Mont Saint Michel is located in an 18th-century castle 17 km from Mont Saint-Michel.

Rooms feature period décor. All rooms have a coffee machine.

The hotel has a seasonal swimming pool.

Baie du, 6 Boucéel Mont Saint Michel FR, Le Château de Boucéel, 50240 Saint-James, France

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4. Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection

Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph CollectionPhoto Credit: Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection

Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection is a luxury hotel in the heart of Rouen.

Rooms have a TV, a work desk, an electric kettle, and a minibar.

The hotel features an indoor pool.

15 Pl. de la Pucelle, 76000 Rouen, France

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5. Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Centre

Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen CentrePhoto Credit: Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Centre

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Center is an excellent value-for-money hotel option in the historic center of Rouen.

The rooms are modern, equipped with a TV, a work desk, and an electric kettle.

6-8 Rue du Donjon, 76000 Rouen, France

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6. Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy

Hôtel Barrière Le NormandyHotels in Normandy France – Photo Credit: Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy

Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy is a spectacular 5-star hotel located in Deauville.

Rooms are equipped with a TV, a work desk, a coffee maker, and a minibar.

The hotel features an indoor swimming pool.

38 Rue Jean Mermoz, 14800 Deauville, France

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7. Hôtel Barrière Le Royal Deauville

Hôtel Barrière Le Royal DeauvilleHotels in Normandy France – Photo Credit: Hôtel Barrière Le Royal Deauville

The Hôtel Barrière Le Royal Deauville is a spectacular 5-star hotel option in Deauville on the seafront.

Rooms have a TV, a work desk, a kettle, and a minibar. Some rooms offer sea views.

The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool.

Bd Eugène Cornuche, 14800 Deauville, France

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8. Hôtel Spa Vent d’Ouest

Hôtel Spa Vent d’OuestHotels in Normandy France – Photo Credit: Hôtel Spa Vent d’Ouest

The Hôtel Spa Vent d’Ouest is a charming hotel option with great value for money in Le Havre.

The rooms are cozy and have a TV, a work desk, and a kettle.

4 Rue de Caligny, 76600 Le Havre, France

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9. Hôtel Ivan Vautier

Hôtel Ivan VautierHotels in Normandy France – Photo Credit: Hôtel Ivan Vautier

Hôtel Ivan Vautier is located in Caen, 20 minutes by public transport from Le Château de Caen.

Rooms have a TV, a work desk, and a minibar.

The hotel has a boutique selling local specialties and regional gastronomic specialties.

3 Av. Henry Chéron, 14000 Caen, France

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10. Château de Bellefontaine

Château de BellefontaineHotels in Normandy France – Photo Credit: Château de Bellefontaine

Château de Bellefontaine is an excellent value-for-money hotel option within walking distance of the cathedral in Bayeux.

All rooms have a TV, a work desk, and a minibar.

49 Rue de Bellefontaine, 14400 Bayeux, France

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11. La Ferme Saint Simeon Spa – Relais & Chateaux

La Ferme Saint Simeon Spa – Relais & ChateauxPhoto Credit: La Ferme Saint Simeon Spa – Relais & Chateaux

La Ferme Saint Simeon Spa – Relais & Chateaux is approximately 10 minutes from Église Sainte Catherine and the Port of Honfleur.

The rooms are uniquely decorated and have a TV, a kettle, and a minibar.

The hotel has a garden.

20 Rte Adolphe Marais, 14600 Honfleur, France

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12. Hôtel Saint-Delis – La Maison du Peintre – Relais & Châteaux

Hôtel Saint-Delis – La Maison du Peintre – Relais & ChâteauxPhoto Credit: Hôtel Saint-Delis – La Maison du Peintre – Relais & Châteaux

Hôtel Saint-Delis – La Maison du Peintre – Relais & Châteaux is within walking distance of the main attractions in the center of Honfleur and 20 minutes from Plage du Butin.

Rooms have a TV, a coffee machine, and a minibar.

43 Rue du Puits, 14600 Honfleur, France

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13. Les Maisons De Léa

Les Maisons De LéaPhoto Credit: Les Maisons De Léa – Hotel Restaurant & Spa

Les Maisons De Léa is a great value-for-money hotel in the center of Honfleur.

Rooms have a TV, a work desk, and a kettle.

2 Pl. Sainte-Catherine, 14600 Honfleur, France

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14. Auberge de la Source – Hôtel de Charme, Collection Saint-Siméon

Auberge de la Source – Hôtel de Charme, Collection Saint-SiméonPhoto Credit: Auberge de la Source – Hôtel de Charme, Collection Saint-Siméon

Auberge de la Source is located in Barneville-la-Bertran approximately 4 km from Honfleur.

Rooms are cozy and feature rustic décor with modern touches.

L’Auberge de la Source, Chem. du Moulin, 14600 Barneville-la-Bertran, France

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15. Château du Bû

Château du BûHotels in Normandy France – Photo Credit: Château du Bû

Château du Bû is a hotel located in a castle approximately 30 km from Caen.

The rooms have a TV and a coffee machine.

The hotel has a garden and offers bicycle rental options.

Château du Bu, 14240 Aurseulles, France

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Normandy Map

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See also

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Train in France: Routes and Prices