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Normandy Travel Guide
Updated 18 May 2024 by Leyla Alyanak — Parisian by birth, Lyonnaise by adoption, historian by passion
Two back-to-back trips to Normandy in the space of a month made me fall in love with this region – and I have plenty of stories to tell, which I'll add below as I write them.
Next to Brittany and close enough to Paris for a weekend trip, Normandy has called people to it for centuries for its dramatic coastlines, profound history, and a delectable culinary scene. The Vikings may be long gone, but their presence is still here, subtly.
Practical matters
- Region: Normandy, France
- Departments: Calvados, Eure, Manche, Orne, Seine-Maritime
- Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer (June-August) is peak season with lively festivals and beach activities.
Map of Normandy
Must-see experiences in Normandy
- D-Day Landing Beaches, and associated World War II memorials and museums, like the one in Caen
- Medieval marvels like the towns of Bayeux (famous for the Bayeux Tapestry) and Rouen (Gothic cathedral)
- Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a unique history
- Rugged coastlines known for their beauty, great for hiking and sightseeing
- Picturesque villages, harbor towns and historical homes
- Swiss Normandy and its rolling hills, lush pastures, and traditional half-timbered houses
- Enjoy the highlights of Impressionism, which was born here
The foods of Normandy
- Fresh seafood takes center stage with specialties like moules (mussels) and oysters enjoyed in charming harbor towns along the coast
- Normandy's four classified cheeses: Camembert, Livarot, Neufchâtel and Pont l'Évêque – all delicious!
- Cider, the region's signature beverage, and Calvados, a powerful apple brandy, best enjoyed as a digestif
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Bonjour! I’m Leyla! I was born in Paris and now live in the bucolic mountain foothills of Eastern France between Lyon and Annecy.
I'm rediscovering my own back yard after years of living abroad in Canada, Spain and Switzerland as a journalist and a diplomat － and I'm loving every minute.
Passionate about history and culture, I’ve created Offbeat France to seek out my country’s mysteries and legends, less-traveled destinations, along with plenty of food stops and many castles － I am French, after all!
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