Normandy is a beautiful region in the northwestern part of France. Home to the D-Day invasion during WWII, infamous cheese, delicious apple products, and coastal towns that have drawn artists to the region for decades. The region’s quiet beauty is a nice reprieve from the bustling nature of Paris. It is definitely on of my favorite places to visit. Here are 10 things to know before you travel to Normandy.
D-Day Beaches
I think Normandy is a beautiful region to visit all on its own, but I do not think a trip to Normandy would be complete without visiting the D-Day beaches. On 6 June 1944, Allied troops landed on 5 beaches, which are now known as Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword, and Juno. It was a spectacular invasion that was instrumental in bringing down the Nazi regime. There is a lot to see and one could spend an entire week or more visiting all of the sites. No need to do it all, as most of the museums walk through the events.
Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel is a city built on a hill near the ocean, which almost everyday becomes an island due to tides. Definitely a gem of Normandy. It is about a 2 hour drive from Paris and Caen. You could also join a tour group to Mont-Saint-Michel, but you will have more flexibility and opportunity to beat the crowds if you drive. Make sure you visit the beautiful gothic Abbey.
More to Normandy than D-Day Beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel
Even though the D-Day beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel are what originally drew me to Normandy, there is so much more. Many people only visit the region as a day trip from Paris, but I think it’s worth staying a week or more in the Normandy region. The beautiful coastline is worth exploring, as well as the many small and cute cities that are sprinkled all over the region. I recommend day trips to Fécamp, Étretat, and Honfleur. If you have even more time, Rouen and Giverny are a must see.
Rent a Car
Unlike Paris or other parts of Franc, getting around Normandy without a car will be very limiting. There is so much to see and so many extremely cute towns to explore. Since driving out of Paris can be a pain, I recommend that you take the train from Paris to Caen. Enterprise, Europcar, and Sixt are all located right outside the train station. There are several other rental car companies near by. Make sure to reserve a car ahead of time, especially if you need an automatic vehicle.
Base in one city
If you plan to spend more than one day in the Normandy region, I think it is best to pick one city to base in and rent a car to explore the area. During my travels, I chose Bayeux. It is a small, cute town that still has a slightly bustling vibe. There are several D-Day memorial sites in the town and it is about 40 min to 2 hours drive from several highlights in Normandy. If you prefer a slightly bigger city, then Caen is also a good choice.
Apples over Grapes
When it comes to France, most people think of the country’s wine and champagne. However, in Normandy, the apple is the king. There are multiple distilleries throughout Normandy where they turn apples into cider, pommeau des normandie (an aperitif), and apple brandy. All three are very different and worth trying. I recommend visiting Calvados Experience, which has the most impressive tour of its facilities and the process, and is about 40 meters west of Caen by car.
Eat butter, cream, and cheese!
Besides its apples, Normandy is known for it’s cows which produce magnificent milk. As a result, Normandy makes delicious dairy products. Camembert, Livarot, Pont l’Evêque, and Neufchatel are the most popular and well-known Normandy cheeses. If you have time, you should do a cheese tour during your trip. I visited Maison du Camembert in Camembert, but E. Graindorge in Livarot is also a very popular tour.
Pack for changing weather
Since many of popular cities and sites are long the coast, the weather can be a tad unpredictable. It can go from sunny and warm to drizzly and cool in a matter of minutes. Dress in layers and keep a travel umbrella or raincoat with you during your travels.
Do you speak English?
If you ask that question in Normandy, the answer is likely to be no or just a little. Unlike Paris, many people in the region do not speak English. It is not uncommon to not have train announcements translated into English. Also, museums in smaller cities may only have signs in French. You can always ask for an audio translation, and some sites will have detailed pamphlets in English. Google translate or a travel size French-English dictionary can also be very handy.
Be prepared to walk
While renting a car is the best way to get around Normandy, once you get to your destination, park your car and walk the city. Many of these towns are better explored on foot. It will give you the opportunity to find surprises and see all of the sites. During my week in Normandy, I walked over 40 miles. Now, that may not work for every traveler, but you should still be prepared to do a decent amount of walking during your trip.