Normandy, an unmissable destination
From green to blue, family getaways or unusual walks, thrills or moments of pure relaxation, urban strolls or heritage discoveries… Normandy is an exceptional land which, from the first moment and in every season, keeps the promise of an extraordinary stay.
Visitors are not mistaken: Normandy is among the most popular destinations. Rich in history and heritage, it is fortunate to have several UNESCO World Heritage sites: Mont-Saint-Michel, the Bayeux Tapestry, Alençon lace, the reconstructed city center of Le Havre, the Vauban fortifications at Tatihou, the Granville Carnival, its gastronomy, and finally, the Normandy-Maine Regional Natural Park
Seaside: a coastline between history and landscapes
D-Day Landing Beaches and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Normandy remains inextricably linked to the D-Day landing beaches, important places of remembrance which welcome visitors from all over the world every year.
To the west, the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage, is among the most admired sites in the world.
Iconic seaside resorts and coastlines
With over 620 km of coastline, Normandy reveals a shore with evocative names: Côte Fleurie, Côte de Nacre, Côte d'Albâtre…
Romantic Cabourg, Deauville with its famous boardwalk, or Granville, facing the Chausey archipelago, are among the must-see stops on the Normandy coast.
Charming villages and ports
Honfleur, the city of painters, captivates with the timeless charm of its Old Port. A few kilometers away, Le Havre surprises with its UNESCO-listed city center.
Further north, the cliffs of Étretat offer a magnificent spectacle before reaching Dieppe and Le Tréport, two typical seaside resorts of the Normandy coast.
Many resorts on the coast benefit from the Famille Plus label, guaranteeing a warm welcome and services adapted to families.
In the countryside: exceptional natural parks and stud farms
Four regional natural parks
Normandy has four regional natural parks : the Boucles de la Seine normande, the Normandie-Maine, the Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin and the Perche.
Each one reveals a unique facet of Norman nature, between salt marshes, preserved hedgerows, green hills and the steep reliefs of the Suisse Normande.
Swiss Normandy and rolling landscapes
enthusiasts hiking oroutdoor activity, the Suisse Normande region is your ideal playground.
Its rolling landscapes and spectacular panoramas invite both contemplation andadventure.
National stud farms and equestrian culture
a land of horses par excellence, is home to world-renowned stud farms.
The most emblematic, the Haras national du Pin, nicknamed the "Versailles of the horse", embodies in itself the excellence of the Norman equestrian tradition.
On the cultural front: between the Middle Ages and the memory of D-Day
Cities and historical monuments
Rouen, the historic capital, still bears the marks of Joan of Arc and Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy.
Gothic cathedrals, Romanesque abbeys and medieval castles dot the territory, from Bayeux to Falaise, passing through Lisieux and Domfront.
Viking history and medieval heritage
The Vikings left a lasting mark on the region from the 9th century onwards.
Their traces remain in the names of towns like Honfleur, Barfleur or Harfleur, but also in the Norman flag adorned with leopards inherited from the Plantagenets.
The D-Day Landings and the Memory of 1944
Normandy was also the scene of June 6, 1944. Museums, military cemeteries and annual commemorations invite us to relive the history of D-Day and to appreciate its universal importance.
On the culinary side: Norman flavors
Cheeses and local products
Camembert, Pont-l'Évêque, Livarot, or Neufchâtel: Normandy's PDO cheeses are the pride of the region. In Isigny, salted butter caramels delight young and old alike.
Ciders, perry and Calvados
Normandy's orchards give rise to iconic drinks: cider, perry, pommeau and calvados.
They perfectly complement local specialties such as tripe à la mode de Caen, andouillette de Vire or cochon de Bayeux.
Seafood and gastronomy
Scallops from Port-en-Bessin, oysters from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, and fish from the English Channel are featured on the menus of brasseries, bistros, and starred restaurants.
On the leisure side: between nature and thrills
Water sports and sailing
With its many sailing schools, Normandy is a paradise for sea lovers: paddleboarding, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking…
Hiking, cycling and Normandy forests
The region has 550 km of greenways and numerous hiking trails.
The forests of Écouves, Cerisy or Grimbosq offer family walks as well as more sporty routes.
Thrill-seeking activities
Suisse Normande is the ideal place to try paragliding, climbing or bungee jumping from the Souleuvre viaduct.
Major events made in Normandy
A land of culture, history and traditions, Normandy pulsates year-round with the rhythm of major popular events. Between music festivals, D-Day commemorations, culinary celebrations and sporting events, each season offers its share of experiences to live and share.