Normandy is easily accessible by plane, train or by road
The region is just a two hour drive from Paris and its airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly. If you take the train from Paris, in just over an hour, you will arrive in Normandy’s main cities. Whether you plan on a dedicated trip or you wish to travel in the whole region, Normandy remains the ideal destination with a mixture of France’s best countryside, heritage, culture, food and entertainment. We look forward to welcoming you soon to Normandy, this incomparably beautiful region of France.
The major sites
Normandy is internationally renowned for its world famous sites: the Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay, Etretat and its dramatic cliffs, the D-Day Landing Beaches, Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny, Rouen with its majestic cathedral, the City of Le Havre, the Bayeux Tapestry, the Haras du Pin and Deauville to name but a few…
www.normandy-tourism.org
UNESCO sites
-The Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay, rightly called "The Wonder of the Western World”, is an international place of pilgrimage as well as a major tourist center,
-The City of Le Havre its port will commemorate their 500th anniversary in 2017 with a major artistic event including 30 exciting projects: contemporary works of art, exceptional exhibitions and many more celebrations…
-The "City of the Dukes”, Alençon owes its international fame to its Alençon needle-point lace
-The Vauban Tower on Tatihou Island
-The Bayeux Tapestry in the medieval town of Bayeux, with its cobbled streets, many restaurants and museums
The Mont-Saint-Michel
The Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay remain an international place of pilgrimage to this very day and are included on the UNESCO list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites. This medieval architectural wonder dominates the surrounding landscape, rising out of the bay, which provides the natural show of the greatest tidal ranges in Europe. After 20 years of planning followed by major works, the Mont-Saint-Michel has become an island once more at high tide – www.discover-montsaintmichel.com
Tour de France 2016 starting from the Mont-Saint-Michel
In 2016, the cycling spotlight will be on Normandy as the Tour starts at the foot of the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel with the first stage ending at Utah Beach, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, and the second stage will see cyclists riding from Saint-Lô to Cherbourg-Octeville on the Cotentin peninsula. The third stage will leave from Granville on 4th July 2016. www.tourdefrance-manche.co.uk
Normandy Impressionist Festival – 16 April - 26 September 2016
Normandy, the cradle of Impressionism… Now an established event in the Normandy calendar, the 3rd edition of the festival will be dedicated to impressionist portraits. Major exhibitions are already planned in the major Fine Arts museums in Caen, Giverny, Honfleur, Le Havre and Rouen. Other festive and cultural events will take place all over Normandy from luncheons on the grass to sound and light shows and concerts.
www.normandie-impressionniste.eu
Medieval Normandy
Steeped in our common history, Normandy invites you to go back in time to retrace the footsteps of William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart and Joan of Arc. Explore the rich medieval history of Normandy’s architectural heritage with its châteaux, abbeys and museums.
From June to September 2016, many festive medieval events will take place in Normandy, home of William the Conqueror. In July, the streets of Bayeux will come alive with street theatre during the medieval festival and in August, Dives-sur-Mer will celebrate the 950th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s sailing to England prior to his victory at Hastings.
D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
On June 6th 1944, Normandy became world-famous for the part it played in D-Day when Allied troops broke through Nazi defences to liberate occupied France in WWII. Today, Normandy has many sites, museums, monuments and events which commemorate and celebrate this key period in modern history.
Birthplace of Impressionism
As the spiritual birthplace of Impressionism, Normandy has inspired many great artists to create images which live on in the collective consciousness today.
With its unique lighting, magical seascapes, dramatic monuments and dreamy countryside, Normandy offered the perfect backdrop for Impressionist painters.
Home of the horse
With its worldwide reputation for equestrian excellence, Normandy is an obvious destination for horse lovers. Home to two national studs, the Haras du Pin and Haras de Saint-Lô, the region also hosts many major horse races and events and also offers the visitor the chance to get in the saddle.
Home Riding
Gastronomic Normandy
Normandy is a true gourmet's treasure trove with its emblematic cheeses: Camembert, Livarot, Neufchâtel, Pont L’Evêque and apple-based drinks such as calvados, cider, pommeau and perry. Seafood is plentiful, however if you prefer meat dishes, roasted lamb from the salt meadows around the Mont-Saint-Michel is a must.
