Normandy, which is in the north-western part of France, oozes of beauty and history and has a lot of interesting attractions and sports activities to offer. The large wide, sandy, beaches, which are known as the beaches of D day, are today taken up by children and sandcastles, but the memories are still here and the beaches are certainly worth a visit. The Eight Wonder of the World and one of France’s largest attractions, Mont-Saint-Michel, is found in the westernmost part of Normandy. In the middle of the sea that withdraws by the tide, this impressive rocky island with the abbey on top of it is rising from the sand. 

The landscape of Normandy

Normandy is a green and vigorous rural region with coasts and beaches marked by Europe’s most violent tide movements. At spring equinox and autumn equinox, there may be up to 15 metres of difference between ebb tide and high tide.

The flower coast ”Côte Fleurie” is filled with fashionable beach towns with long, wide sandy beaches such as Trouville and Deauville that explode in a wealth of flowers every summer. Inland, behind the flower coast, you will find ”Pays d’Auge” as a classic Norman landscape with vigorous fields, wood-sheathed valleys, apple orchards, dairies and mansions. Two tourist routes provide a good view of the production of cider and cheese. 

Large cities in Normandy: Rouen and Caen

Rouen is the capital of Haute-Normandy and is the richest cultural city in the north-western part of France with many idyllic medieval houses in the city centre. This was the place where Jeanne d’Arc, France’s liberator, was declared to be a witch and was burned at the stake by the English. One of the best known attractions is the cathedral, which is known from Claude Monet’s paintings.

Caen is the capital of the region Basse-Normandy and offers fine cultural memories from the monarchs, e.g. the two large abbeys, Abbaye aux Hommes and Abbaye aux Dames.

Tourist attractions in Normandy

Normandy’s wealth of historic attractions provides a great many possibilities for a holiday in Normandy.

One of the most impressive trips go to the island Mont-St-Michel. Wrapped in fog, engulfed by the sea, proudly towering over the glittering sand, you will see the silhouette of Mont-St-Michel which is one of the most enchanting sights in France. The rocky island and the abbey on top of it has UNESCO status of being part of the cultural heritage of the world.

When visiting Normandy, it is inevitable to be affected by the memories of D day that are found on the beaches of D day, Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah Beach, that are still abounding with concrete pillboxes that testify to the German "Atlantic wall". You are also sent back in time by the many memorial museums such as Mémorial Pégasus, Musée du Débarquement and the invasion museum in Arromanches; the place where the artificial British harbour Mulberry was placed. The American, English and German cemeteries with a total of 110,000 soldier graves are a very moving sight. 

In Bayeux, it is possible to visit the famous Bayeux wallpaper which on its 70 metres tells the story about Wilhelm the Conqueror’s expedition in England and his victory at Hastings in 1066.

In the little town of Giverny, you will find the house of the painter Claude Monet. The house and the beautiful garden are open to the public and provide you with a déjà vu. The garden in particular is well-known and recognisable as a motive in the most appreciated pieces by the painter.

Normandy is an ideal place to go for cycling and hiking because of the soft hills and flat coastal stretches as well as the warm summers. The coast is tempting with sail sports activities and surfing. On the beach off Mont-Saint-Michel, you may have an unusual experience on horseback with a view to the impressive rocky island with the abbey on top of it.
You will find 36 golf courses in the region of which 12 of them have a wonderful view directly to the sea.
Furthermore, Normandy is a paradise for anglers. You will find 600 km of coastline besides rivers, canals and lakes. If you want to be spoiled, you should visit one of the many wellness centres that are very popular in Normandy.

Gastronomic characteristics of Normandy

Normandy is famous for its apple cider, calvados (apple brandy) and farmer cheese. Each district has its own cheese but the most famous cheeses may be the white mould cheeses Camembert and Neufchâtel which should be eaten with a good piece of loaf made of bolted rye accompanied by apple cider.
Another speciality in the area is pre-salted lamb. The animals graze on the salty sea floor when the tide has withdrawn, which makes the meat tender and well-marbled.
If you like shellfish, you should try the fine oysters and clams that they breed in the tidal flats close to the coast.

The climate of Normandy

Normandy has a temperate coastal climate with mild winters and cool summers. The annual average temperature is a little higher than in Denmark. The weather can be very changing – nice and sunny weather may suddenly be replaced by heavy clouds and a refreshing shower.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from Maison de la France. Photographers: Hervé Le Gac, Catherine BIBOLET, Jean-François Lefebvre and Daniel Gallon-Dangal.