What to do and see in Normandy, France: The Best Sights & Landmarks

July 7, 2021 Jacquiline Darosa

Normandy (/ˈnɔːrməndi/; French: Normandie, pronounced [nɔʁmɑ̃di] ( listen), Norman: Normaundie, from Old French Normanz, plural of Normant, originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is one of the 18 regions of France, roughly corresponding to the historical Duchy of Normandy.
Restaurants in Normandy

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
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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
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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
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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. Falaises d'Etretat

76790 Etretat France +33 2 35 27 05 21 http://etretat.net/office-de-tourisme-etretat/modules/content/content.php?page=naturelle-etretat
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5.0 based on 5,674 reviews

Falaises d'Etretat

Reviewed By ParisianZee - Magor, United Kingdom

Definitely worth checking out. The walk up the cliffs is invigorating and the view on the Atlantic and the little town of Etretat down below is beautiful.

5. Chemin des Douaniers

76790 Etretat France
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5.0 based on 605 reviews

Chemin des Douaniers

Reviewed By JuliiaFra - Kharkiv, Ukraine

The stairs leading up on the cliff are taking not more than 10 min to go up, but better to be prepared. On the top, the great seascape is awaiting you. Get your comfy shoes on, take a windbreaker jacket (because it may be windy even in summer), it will be a long walk! The path leads you all along the shore, but be careful going down, the railing may be shaky. It is a perfect place to think and enjoy a small company since in the evening hours there is almost no one around.

6. Omaha Beach

Avenue de la Liberation, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer France +33 2 31 21 97 44 http://www.musee-memorial-omaha.com
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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.

7. 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/
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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.

8. Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

Bp 22 Au sommet du village, 50170 Mont-Saint-Michel France +33 2 33 89 80 00 [email protected] http://www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr/
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4.5 based on 14,053 reviews

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

The Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most remarkable examples of mediaeval religious and military architecture and was one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage sites from the 8th to the 18th century.The Abbey comprises a superb ensemble of clerical buildings including the abbey church, the cloister, the refectory, the monks' ambulatory and the gardens of what has been known as the ""Merveille"" (Marvel) since the 12th century. In summer, the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel is best seen in all its splendour after sunset during the special “sons et lumières"" shows. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > 2nd May to 31st August: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. > 1st September to 30th April: from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admission 1 hr before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May and 25 December. Admission fees: Adults : 9€; Concessions (18 to 25) = 5,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups

Reviewed By F1750XYsharonl - Hobart, Australia

The Abbey at Mont Saint Michel is one of the most impressive locations I have visited in the 30 odd countries I have visited! The location and the history are fascinating and the quaint shops and restaurants make it a perfect place to visit on a (long) day trip from Paris by fast train. Exploring the abbey was one of the highlights of my trip and I highly recommend it to anyone although the stairs and steepness of the site may challenge some.

9. Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen

3 rue Saint Romain, 76000, Rouen France +33 2 35 71 85 65 http://www.cathedrale-rouen.net
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4.5 based on 4,468 reviews

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen

This stunning Gothic structure is considered by some to be the town's most important architectural landmark.

Reviewed By Keeley2305 - Toddington, United Kingdom

Well worth a visit if you are in the city of Rouen, free entry Beautiful historic cathedral with plenty of information in other languages aside from French. The tomb of Richard the lionheart is inside, and statue of Joan of arc Tour guides can be found around the cathedral who can be very informative

10. Abbey de Cerisy

rue Sangles, 50680 France +33 2 33 57 34 63 http://www.abbayes-normandes.com
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4.5 based on 41 reviews

Abbey de Cerisy

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