Last updated: 25 June 2023
Updated – April 2023. Are you planning a visit to the historic and beautiful region of Normandy France and looking for some places to visit and things to do? We want to ensure that you maximise your time in this amazing area so that you have amazing memories to go home with so we’ve compiled this list of 5 cities to explore in Normandy for you.
Made famous by the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and again in more recent times as the site of the D-Day landings 6 June 1944, Normandy has played a significant role in European history.
Normandy in Northern France is increasingly becoming a popular tourist destination and makes a great little road trip but while its beautiful beaches along with its rich and brutal past is often the region’s most famous assets, there’s far more to Normandy than meets the eye. If you’re planning to head to Northern France, then here’s 5 cities to explore in Normandy to put on your list:
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Bayeux
Does the name Bayeux sound familiar? You probably know it from the Bayeux tapestry, a 70m embroidered cloth which depicts the events of the Norman Conquest in 1066 in 58 scenes.
In addition to seeing the Tapestry, the town of Bayeux is a simply lovely city to explore while away a few days. The beautiful Gothic cathedral warrants full exploration, including its 9th century crypt, as does the Museum of the Battle of Normandy and the town’s historic centre. Take the time to indulge in a glass or two of the local wines at any of the outdoor terraces while sampling some of Normandy’s delightful specialities of cheese, apples, seafood and terrine.
Caen
The city of Caen was founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, yes the very same man mentioned in the Bayeux tapestry. Two stunning abbeys were built here, both of which deserve some of your time. L’Abbaye-aux-Hommes (the Men’s Abbey) and L’Abbaye-aux-Dames (the Ladies Abbey). The former is a Benedictine monastery and an iconic landmark in Normandy which is said to contain the lone relic, the thigh bone, of William, Duke of Normandy, who soon after to become William I, King of England.
More recently, Caen was almost completely destroyed during the Battle of Normandy in 1944. Exploring the D-Day beaches, the accompanying museum and cemetery, paints a vivid and unforgettable picture of the events of World War II. Of course we spent a lot longer, but for most people, half a day is sufficient to explore the area. A walking tour is always a good introduction to the city as it allows you to find your bearings, identify places you want to visit later on, and helps with understanding the best ways to get around during your stay.
The city is strategically located with access to a port, which makes it a great place to start if you’d rather bring your car over from the UK with DFDS. We have travelled with our car on a number of different trips and it’s always enabled us to maximise the opportunity to go explore new places that might otherwise be a little more difficult on public transport. If you’re contemplating taking your car across the Channel then you will have a few more places to add to your list of places to visit in Normandy.
READ MORE: Want to explore another region in France? Why not spend some time exploring historic Aisne?
Rouen
You don’t have to be a history buff like Russ to get a kick out of the culture and heritage of Rouen. When we stopped in Rouen it was before the hit TV show Vikings put the city on the map. Real life Viking, Gaange Rolf (aka Rollo), became the first ruler of Normandy after he and his Norsemen seized the city in 876.
As Normandy’s most engaging destination and the former capital of the region, Rouen has a rich heritage, meaning there’s more than enough to do to keep everyone entertained for days on end. Stroll the winding streets North of the cathedral where half-timber houses and cobblestone streets retain a distinctly medieval feel, and take a moment to imagine life was like when names like Richard the Lionheart, William the Conqueror and Joan of Arc made the region their home. Explore the history of Rouen with a private walking tour with a local.
While you’re in town don’t miss the Great Clock (Gros Horloge), the gorgeous Renaissance archway and clock tower, or the soaring Gothic Cathedral Notre Dame, built in the late 12th century, which features in many works of the famous French painter Monet, who was a local from nearby Le Havre. Be sure to stop at the central square in the city, Place du Vieux Marche, is where 19 year old French heroine Joan of Arc was tried for heresy and burned alive at the stake. I’ll admit it’s pretty grim in concept but it’s worth a visit to see the demure memorial to her.
Le Havre
Le Havre appears to be slightly under the radar for UK tourism which is a tad surprising seeing it was given UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The city rose like a phoenix from the ashes after being obliterated in September 1944 by Allied bombing. After the war, the city was rebuilt and has been recognised for its post-war architecture. When talking about Le Havre’s style, the term concrete chic is bantered around.
As a port city, Le Havre’s location has always been important to the city’s survival, which celebrated its 500th anniversary last year. Since then there’s been revival in the spirit of Le Havre, which is home to Musee Malraux, one of France’s finest art museums, with a collection of impressionist works by masters such as Monet, Degas, Renior and more.
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The city’s proximity to Paris has helped Le Havre’s food scene flourish in recent years, the added bonus being great cuisine without attracting capital city pricing. Meaning visitors to Le Havre can score a two course lunch at a Michelin star restaurant for €40! Bargain!
When visiting Normandy, nature lovers and photographers should consider exploring the nearby coastal town of Etretat. Home to incredible cliff formations which have created extraordinary arches in the chalk thanks to erosion. Rambling along the cliff tops makes a great day out in the sunshine or better still, return in the evening when these famous cliff formations are lit up. Just one incredible place to add to your growing list of cities to explore in Normandy.
Mont Saint-Michel
No visit to Normandy is complete without a visit to Mont Saint-Michel. The picture perfect island monastery of Mont St-Michael looks as though it stepped out of a fairytale. The fortified island with slender spires reaching for the clouds it’s a intertwined mass of ramparts, chapels, and crypts, each balancing precariously on each its neighbour.
Best seen at dusk or dawn, when this iconic picture of France rises dramatically from the sea, or glistening wet sand as the tide runs out, to reveal a new concrete causeway joining the island to the mainland.
If you’re planning to visit Normandy’s most iconic landmark this summer, Mont-Saint-Michel will be displayed like never before, illuminated when night falls on the bay and the doors opened after hours for visitors. Eerily quiet after dark makes visiting the mount a magical atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
There is much to offer visitors to Northern France and we hope that you have enjoyed discovering a little more about these cities to explore in Normandy where you will not only explore historic and sacred places enabling you to connect with history but also spend time in an incredible region. A visit to Normandy is not complete unless you spend some learning about the incredible WWII history and there are many tours available, such as this day trip from Paris that explores the D-Day landing beaches or this half day tour that starts and ends in Bayeux and will take you to Omaha Beach, Normandy American Cemetery, and Ponte du Hoc.
If you have any questions or need any further detail then either leave us a comment below or drop us an email here. We hope you have a wonderful time exploring this fascinating region of France! Safe travels.
I visited Rouen, Le Havre and Caen and they are really great cities to visit. But Mont Saint-Michel was really something special.
MSM really is something unique, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen elsewhere in the world!