5 Places To Visit In Normandy, France | A Short Guide
My first week in France was the start of a love affair. And I have Normandy's beautiful towns and villages to thank for that.
Our 8 a.m. ferry crossing from Dover was early but smooth. But after a long drive through the UK from our home in Scotland, our first stop had to be easy. Cue the Normandy port town of Dieppe, only a short drive from Calais. It was the perfect opportunity to gorge on proper French croissants and pâtisseries for the first time and, most importantly, firm up our Europe road trip plans.
Naively, I expected to travel quickly through France.
Why? Because we were desperately seeking the Spanish winter sun that awaited some 2,000km away in our final destination: sun-drenched Andalusia in southern Spain.
Yet Normandy immediately tempted us to stay a little longer.
An extraordinary region, Normandy is a perfect blend of coastal villages, historic towns, rolling countryside, tree-lined roads, and exceptional cuisine.
While our visit was briefer than we would have liked, we fell hard for this quietly beautiful French region and will definitely return.
During our week in Normandy, we explored some of its most beautiful places, including coastal villages, historic beaches, iconic castles, and wonderful towns. We also took the opportunity to sample Normandy’s delicious local food and drinks and discovered precisely why produce from this area is world-famous.
So, if, like us, you’re short on time but looking to visit a handful of gorgeous places in Normandy, this guide will help you maximise your days. I’ll also highlight some amazing restaurants and places to stay along the way.
Normandy Road Trip highlights:
Dieppe and its port
Caen and this walking tour
Étretat and Jardins d'Etretat
Mont St Michel and the iconic Abbey
Normandy beaches and D-Day tours
A note on Normandy roads & French tolls
Driving through Normandy, we decided to avoid the French toll roads.
Instead, we chose a cross-country route and drove miles through gorgeous countryside. Along the way, we discovered medieval villages, tree-lined avenues, and excellent local eateries. All of which we'd have missed on the motorways.
And, on a practical note, we saved a ton in toll fees.
Yes, there are sensible arguments for taking the French toll roads. They are quicker, the traffic flows, the drive is easier, and frequent rest stops exist along the road. But despite the benefits, what the paid roads miss is the heart and soul of France, which you'll find in its rural parts.
So, if you have the time and patience, I'd personally recommend the free roads when travelling through Normandy.
Tip / France has introduced clear air zones in many of its cities, and depending on the age of your vehicle, you may need a Crit'Air sticker to enter.
1. Dieppe
Busy port town Dieppe was a good introduction to France, a busy town of local people where we got to practice our (admittedly terrible) French.
If you’re on a road trip like us, Dieppe is an excellent place to stop. Firstly, there are heaps of shops selling local produce—from boulangeries (bakers) to fromageries (cheese shops) to local cider specialists.
It was also my first experience of French cafe culture, with outdoor tables full of people braving the minus temperatures to enjoy a cafe, hot chocolate, or crepe.
Admittedly, it’s not the prettiest town in France (we’ll leave that accolade to the gorgeous wine-tasting town Bordeaux). But Dieppe will have you covered for whatever provisions you need or if you need to stop and catch your breath after a big drive.
2. Étretat
Next on our road trip and list of Normandy places to visit was the pretty coastal village of Étretat.
Here, a stunning beach is overlooked by white cliffs, and attract visitors to this seaside village in summer months. Inland, the town is a scattering of cafes and restaurants, a few historic buildings, and the “living sculpture” Jardins d'Etretat to visit.
You’ll also find one of the very best pâtisseries in all of France here. It’s tucked away a few streets back from the seafront, and often has a queue, but Le Petit Accent is worth the wait. They offer mouth wateringly good lemon tarts and the éclairs are dangerously tasty. Find it here.
That being said, our favourite thing about this little Normandy village is the clifftop walk. High above the chalky cliffs, the views are remarkable.
There are two viewpoints at opposite ends of the beach, both worth exploring.
The first viewpoint, La Falaise d'Amont, is topped by a small church along the seafront on your right (here). The second is located on the left, above the iconic rock archway, on a wooden platform (here).
Walking under the arch Falaise d'Aval is possible, but only at low tide (here).
Details / I recommend you wear comfy shoes, as the round trip to both viewpoints will take at least 1.5 hours. Although it's an easy walk, it does involve a short, steep uphill hike on both sides.
3. Caen
After spending some time on the coast, we drove to Caen, known for its rich history and stunning architecture. Although not as popular among tourists as other French cities, Caen is a beautiful place with lively cafes and a vibrant town centre.
The fairytale castle, with its classic French style, reminded me of the stunning architecture in Bordeaux. And the crumbling church ruins and pastel-hued walls amongst winding streets were a joy to explore.
We felt that Caen would be a perfect destination for a long weekend getaway, especially for those looking for a charming and lesser-known French town.
One of the best ways to experience Caen is with a local guide. This highly rated (English-speaking) Caen walking tour explores the city’s highlights.
4. Mont-Saint-Michel
Finally, a visit to the wonder of Mont-Saint-Michel.
This centuries-old world heritage site has been on my bucket list for the longest time, and even on a cold rainy morning, it did not disappoint. Honestly, I’m not sure any words can do the sheer scale or beauty of this magical place justice.
And despite the threatening clouds, I’m so happy we visited in winter - because we had this stunning island almost entirely to ourselves.
Inside, you’ll find winding streets, archways, beautiful buildings, cafes, and restaurants. Unfortunately, the lower levels have been given over to tourism. But the upper levels, by the abbey, remain wonderfully authentic.
We bought a ticket for the Abbey, and I’d highly recommend you do the same - it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the island. Buy your Mont St Michel abbey ticket here.
Details / Mont St Michel has an enormous paid car park a mile away from the castle. Once you park, walk the short distance to the tourist information centre and jump on the passeur shuttle bus. This free, regularly running bus takes around 12-minutes and crosses a bridge over the estuary.
Or, for epic views, walk across the bridge which takes around 50-minutes. For me, the best option is walk to Mont St Michel, because the views ahead are genuinely some of the most breathtaking I’ve ever seen. To return, when you’re tired from walking, take the free shuttle back to your car.
5. D-Day Beaches
Sadly, we didn’t make it to Normandy’s beaches on this trip. But it would be remiss of me not to mention them here.
Scattered down the coast of northwest France, these beaches of are peaceful stretches of white sand beneath chalky cliffs. In spring and summer, the water is turquoise-hued and calm; perfect for a day at the seaside.
Yet, they represent so much more than a pretty coastal landscape.
An integral part of Normandy’s and the Western world's history, these beaches are best known as the location of the D-Day Landings during WW2. Today, they attract visitors from all over the world seeking historical connections, context, answers, and a chance to pay respect to those who gave their lives.
Either visit the Normandy beaches on a self-guided road trip or use this extremely helpful resource, which has a list of beaches. Or book a tour or day trip from Caen, Paris, or other nearby cities. These highly rated D-Day Beach tours are led by a knowledgeable and English-speaking guide.
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