Normandy is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from the UK and elsewhere. Ideal for a short holiday, the region has no shortage of attractions and activities.
In its history and culture, Normandy is the image of its capital, Caen: where past, present and a gentle pace of life combine to offer many things to see and do. From its incredible landscapes to its rich heritage, including museums and gastronomy, Normandy will delight all who like to explore.
Normandy is the birthplace of Impressionism, where Monet painted his "Rising sun" in 1872. To find out more, visit his former home in Giverny, where you can see the gardens that inspired him. Other places devoted to this movement are worth seeing, such as the Rouen Museum of Fine Arts, the André Malraux Museum in Le Havre and the Auberge des Sœurs Moisy in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei. The region also offers Impressionism tours, which will lead you to discover Honfleur, whose port has inspired more than one artist. It is also the perfect opportunity to admire the Alabaster Coast and the magnificent cliffs of Étretat.
The region is rich in history, due to its importance during the Second World War. Visit the D-Day beaches, including Omaha Beach in Colleville, with its moving American cemetery and memorial museum, Gold Beach in Arromanches and its Landing Museum and Sword Beach in Ouistreham, a place of commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Another must-see in the region is Mont-Saint-Michel, which becomes an island at high tide. The bay and its new promenade-dam are magnificent, and the highlight is the abbey dedicated to the archangel who appeared several times to Bishop Aubert.
To travel to Normandy, you can land in Caen, Deauville or Rouen. The TGV currently serves only Rouen and Le Havre. Normandy has a good railway network, making it easy to discover the surrounding area by train. You can also cross the region for a very reasonable price on one of the many subsidised bus routes. The region is particularly easy to reach from the UK by ferry or the Channel Tunnel.
If you prefer to travel to Normandy by public transport, it’s easy to hire a car on arrival.