What to do and see in Basse-Normandie, Normandy: The Best Free Things to do

May 16, 2022 Malia Yoakum

Discover the best top things to do in Basse-Normandie, France including Cimetiere Americain de Colleville-sur-Mer, Bayeux War Cemetery, D-Day Beaches (Plages du Debarquement de la Bataille de Normandie), Les Halles du Marche, Omaha Beach, Saint Catherine's Church, Cathedrale Notre-Dame, La Colline aux Oiseaux, Sanctuaire Sainte Therese, Notre Dame de Grace.
Restaurants in Basse-Normandie

1. Cimetiere Americain de Colleville-sur-Mer

14710 Colleville-sur-Mer France +33 2 31 51 62 00 [email protected] https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/normandy-american-cemetery
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,535 reviews

Cimetiere Americain de Colleville-sur-Mer

Overlooking Omaha Beach, the launching point of the U.S. invasion of Normandy, this cemetery contains the graves of 9,386 American soldiers who died at Normandy and a touching memorial to another 1,557 whose bodies were never recovered.

Reviewed By FairCityFrasie - Perth, United Kingdom

Magnificent cemetery, memorial and visitor centre in the shadows of Omaha beach, poignant and sensitive, superbly laid out and maintained, paying homage to nearly 10,000 American soldiers and their exploits during WW2. I’d visited previously a few years ago on 6th June and the place was packed then - just as busy in mid-August with the extensive parking lots more than full. My most vivid memory (and there is a lot to take in) is the glass-cased artwork consisting of a rifle embedded upright in the sand with a tin helmet atop (nearing the exit to the visitor centre).

2. Bayeux War Cemetery

1945 boulevard Fabian Ware, 14400, Bayeux France https://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2033300/BAYEUX%20WAR%20CEMETERY
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,628 reviews

Bayeux War Cemetery

The town of Bayeux, in Normandy, lies 30 kilometres north-west of Caen. Bayeux War Cemetery is situated in the south-western outskirts of the town on the by-pass (D5), which is named Boulevard Fabian Ware. On the opposite side of the road stands the Bayeux Memorial. BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY, which was completed in 1952, contains 4,144 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 338 of them unidentified. There are also over 500 war graves of other nationalities, the majority German. The BAYEUX MEMORIAL stands opposite the cemetery and bears the names of more than 1,800 men of the Commonwealth land forces who died in the early stages of the campaign and have no known grave. They died during the landings in Normandy, during the intense fighting in Normandy itself, and during the advance to the River Seine in August.

Reviewed By GCSQ - Upland, United States

Just walking thru the cemetery brings into focus June 6 and the many days afterwards that these men and boys gave their lives to help France and the world. Bayeux should be proud to be hosting the final resting place of these brave British fighting men and boys. This visit will help bring together our visit to the DDay beach’s and the American National Cemetery tomorrow. Don’t miss the chance to see this wonderful rememberance if you are in Bayeux.

3. D-Day Beaches (Plages du Debarquement de la Bataille de Normandie)

Comite Regional de Tourisme de Normandie 14 Rue Charles Corbeau, Evreux, 27000 France +33 2 32 33 79 00 [email protected] http://www.normandie-dday.com
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 329 reviews

D-Day Beaches (Plages du Debarquement de la Bataille de Normandie)

Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia

We spent the best part of a day visiting the D-Day Beaches, in Normandy. It was quite an emotional trip. This is an amazing stretch of nature which now brings up such terrible images to visitors. The areas have been well maintained and it is easy to walk around and inspect the various sites. There are still some remnants of the war, such as battlements and others, as well as some wonderful memorials to the fallen and to those who participated in the war effort.

4. Les Halles du Marche

Avenue du Marche, 14390 Cabourg France +33 2 31 28 88 88 http://www.cabourg.fr/venez-faire-votre-marche-cabourg
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
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0%
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5.0 based on 12 reviews

Les Halles du Marche

5. Omaha Beach

Avenue de la Liberation, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer France +33 2 31 21 97 44 http://www.musee-memorial-omaha.com
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,182 reviews

Omaha Beach

This historic beach was the primary point of landing on June 6, 1944, for the entry of American forces into World War II and saw some of the most intense fighting in the entire war.

Reviewed By PoppyE103 - Brighton, United Kingdom

I am so happy I took time from our holiday to visit Omaha Beach, its so much more stunning and impressive in person, the sea views are stunning, the cliffs, the nearby quaint town, the art and sculptures, this is one special and unique place in the earth I would suggest all take time to visit.

6. Saint Catherine's Church

Rue des Logettes, 14600, Honfleur France +33 2 31 89 23 30 http://www.calvados-tourisme.com/offre/eglise-sainte-catherine/
Excellent
64%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
3%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,954 reviews

Saint Catherine's Church

This famous 15th-century cathedral is the largest surviving wooden church in France.

Reviewed By LondonMatt75

Right in the heart of town in a beautiful square. Separate bell tower and amazing structures made from wood by original ship builders. Sitting inside you feel as if you are in an old ship.

7. Cathedrale Notre-Dame

Rue du Bienvenu 14400 Bayeux, 14400, Bayeux France +33 2 31 92 01 85 [email protected] http://www.bayeux.fr/fr/decouvrir-bayeux/cathedrale-notre-dame
Excellent
64%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
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4.5 based on 3,843 reviews

Cathedrale Notre-Dame

The cathedral of Notre-Dame in Bayeux is an impressive building, a mix of Romanesque in the 11th century crypt and glorious Gothic in the 13th-century nave. In the 11th century after the Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066, ties with England were strong. You'll see a reference to the turbulent past above the south transept portal where sculpted scenes show the life of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral on the orders of King Henry II of England. The Bayeux Tapestry was kept here from the 11th to the 18th centuries, probably displayed for the first time on the day the cathedral was consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror.

Reviewed By dfield281 - Katy, United States

This beautiful Cathedral has a rich history as it is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux and was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry. The combinations of architecture make this Cathedral unique and a must-see sight in Bayeux.

8. La Colline aux Oiseaux

Avenue Amiral Mountbatten, 14000 Caen France +33 2 31 30 48 38 http://caen.fr/adresse/colline-aux-oiseaux
Excellent
49%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 759 reviews

La Colline aux Oiseaux

9. Sanctuaire Sainte Therese

31 Rue du Carmel, 62095 Ville de Lisieux, Lisieux France +33 2 31 48 55 00 http://www.therese-de-lisieux.catholique.fr/
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 838 reviews

Sanctuaire Sainte Therese

Reviewed By MsIreland2 - Dublin, Ireland

The Basilica is set upon a hill, it is a very steep walk from the main train station in Lisieux. A very beautiful setting. Please note St Therese is NOT buried here, she is buried in the town at the Carmelite Convent, so please bear this in mind when planning your trip. Taxis are available to travel around the town. The parents of St Therese are buried in the Church underneath the main Basilica. The Upstairs Church is very beautiful and there is a relic of St Therese on display in the upper Church. The art work on the roof is also quite spectacular. There is no restaurant onsite there is a nice book / giftshop on the grounds. The staff are extremely kind and helpful. They made our visit very welcoming.

10. Notre Dame de Grace

Mont Joli, Honfleur France
Excellent
62%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
4%
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4.5 based on 683 reviews

Notre Dame de Grace

Reviewed By KathrynJLamp - Saint Paul, United States

We climbed slowly up from the town and enjoyed the views along the way. The church and the bells are lovely. Historic and meaningful. The views and flowers are lovely. Recommend this outing.

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