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 traveled back in time.

The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and Notre-Dame Sous Terre Chapel are just two of the must-see places here. When the tummies start to rumble, stop by at one of the many crêperies (restaurants serving wheat flour and buckwheat pancakes). Or have an omelet at the world-famous Omelet de la Mère Poulard, a restaurant reputed to serve the best omelet in the world.

The charming seaside town of Étretat is famed for its tall white chalk cliffs which reach heights of up to 300 ft above the sea. You can see the rock arches Porte d'Aval and Porte d'Amont from the beach of Étretat, while the Manneporte arch is located further southwest. The Aiguille d’Étretat is a 230 ft high needle rock that juts out from the sea right next to the Porte d'Aval.

Snap some photos of these geological wonders as you stroll along the coastal path. You can take in the surrounding landscape dotted with historic castles and chapels and stop for lunch at one of the lovely bistros. Étretat is located 20 miles northeast of Le Havre.

The D-Day beaches (Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword) dot a 40 miles long stretch of the picturesque Normandy coast. On June 6th, 1944, the Normandy landings here began the crucial battle to deliver France and Europe from the Nazis. This historic military operation 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 this historic coast.

Explore the nooks and crannies of Vieux Rouen (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 picturesque Vieux Bassin (the Old Basin), Honfleur Old Town has 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 and L’Écailleur. This charming harbor hosts a good choice of excellent seafood restaurants located right on the quays of the Old Basin. The Vieux Bassin is located right next to the city hall, in the center of Honfleur.

Bayeux Tapestry Museum is home to the magnificent Bayeux Tapestry, embroidered on linen during the 11th century. The Bayeux Tapestry is 226 ft long and 20 inches high and 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. MAHB offers a journey through the history of European art. The charming medieval center of Bayeux is also worth a visit.

Often referred to as the Parisian Riviera, Deauville is a seaside town that hosts all that’s required for an upscale vacation 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 movie theater, the best time to go to Deauville is during the American Film Festival, held yearly at the end of August. Deauville is located 20 miles southwest of Le Havre.

Normandy is well known for its cheeses and apple cider and one of the best places to sample them is in the adorable town of Livarot. Here you can learn about 1 of the famed cheeses produced in Normandy, also called Livarot. 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 E. Graindorge Fromagerie. You’ll learn how this cheese is produced and have the possibility to test and purchase many local products. If you want to stay overnight, there's a variety of hotels in the city of Lisieux, 10 miles away from Livarot.

Indulge in the delicious herring and scallop dishes in Dieppe for a healthy lunch option during your vacation in Normandy. These two beneficial sea treasures can make your day. Herring is a fish full of Omega 3 fatty acids and scallop is a shellfish that contains 80% of protein. To find Dieppe’s famed seafood restaurants, head to the Port of Dieppe and book a table at Restaurant du Port or Le Turbot.

Besides culinary delights, Dieppe boasts a 15th-century castle and the churches of Saint-Jacques and Saint-Rémi. So why not extend your stay and book a room in a lovely hotel? The quaint seaside town of Dieppe is located about 31 miles north of Rouen.