Things to Do in Normandy

Travel Themes

• Interests (out of ★★★★): Nature ★★; Culture ★★/ ★★★; Relaxation-holidays ★★

Nature-Adventure

Culture

Relaxation-Holidays

By Department

Interest level for each department:

By Department

Highlights and special features of the region's departments.

Calvados

While Calvados is the department of Flower Coast, Honfleur, Cabourg, Deauville, and a few other well-known seaside resorts, it is also a major site for remembrance tourism, with the D-Day Landing Beaches and numerous memorials and museums dedicated to World War II. Visitors come for history as much as for the seaside, though far less for landscapes or outdoor activities—even if the *bocage* and the Norman Switzerland are worth a detour.

Eure

Eure is primarily a department for culture and history lovers, perfect for a weekend getaway. You can visit several abbeys (including Mortemer Abbey), castles from various eras (Beaumesnil, Gaillon, etc.), and a few interesting towns like Les Andelys, and especially Giverny, internationally renowned thanks to Claude Monet and other Impressionist painters.

Manche

Manche is home to one of France’s most visited sites, the Mont Saint-Michel and its bay. Though this sometimes overshadows the department’s other attractions, it still offers seaside resorts (including the *Côte des Havres*), a few medieval abbeys, and, in places, lovely coastal or *bocage* landscapes.

Orne

A few castles, one or two tourist towns (Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, Saint-Céneri), and above all, a natural setting ideal for green tourism (Perche, Alpes Mancelles, Suisse Normande) make up the department’s main attractions.

Seine-Maritime

Though not exceptional compared to others, Seine-Maritime offers a good balance of tourist activities. You can enjoy its beaches and resorts along the Alabaster Coast, discover beautiful coastal landscapes—most notably the famous Étretat Cliffs—visit numerous castles and abbeys, or explore two distinct but characterful cities: Le Havre and Rouen.

Beaches and Seaside Resorts

Water Activities

Diving:

Watersports:

Sailing:

Thalassotherapy and Wellness

Hiking

Cycling

Horseback Riding

Outdoor and Adventure Sports

Golf

Paragliding and Aerial Sports

Cultural Life and Activities

Nightlife and Going Out