Introduction

With its luscious green countryside, the morning mist above the apple trees, horses and cows grazing peacefully, and the nearby seashore with its long sandy beaches and renowned cliffs, Normandy is truly a unique and magical part of France. Most famous for the painful memory of D-Day, many visitors flock to the cemeteries of Omaha and Utah Beach to pay their respect to the soldiers who fought for freedom. From the numerous small villages filled with iconic half-timbered houses and grey stone churches, to the unforgettable Mont Saint Michel, and the atmosphere of seaside resorts of Cabourg, Deauville, Trouville, and Honfleur known worldwide thanks to famous writers and the impressionist painters, Normandy is a truly special place. Horse lovers will adore this region for its prestigious stud farms and racetracks. Spend a few extra days in this green, calm part of France, and you will succumb to the region’s discreet charm, making you want to return again and again.

Itineraries in Normandy

Visit the World Famous Mont Saint Michel

A magical island topped by a gravity-defying medieval monastery, the Mont-Saint-Michel counts among France’s most stunning sights. For centuries one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations, this holy mount is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is its breathtaking bay.

A Week in “Pays d’Auge” Normandy

• Discover Charming Honfleur — An old town that inspired so many artists, a stop in Honfleur is a must. Walk up the narrow cobbled streets of Honfleur and you will succumb to the charm of this old town with half-timbered house and slate roofs.

• A Tale of Two Cities: Deauville and Trouville — These two towns separated by just a the Touque River each boast their own vastly different charm. Deauville stands out for its famed promenade along the long beach full of multicolored parasols, its American Film festival, and its prestigious Polo matches and horse races. The old fishing village of Trouville, on the other hand, is a discrete and charming little town flanked on the cliff facing Deauville. Visitors love the restaurants along the sea port under the sun at the end of the day.

• Visit the Famed D-Day Beaches — A guided tour, starting with the museum “Memorial de Caen” to fully understand the World War II history that unraveled here.
• A Day in the Back Country of Auge — This day tour will start off in the 20th century seaside resorts of Cabourg and the “promenade Proust”, Dives, cite de Guillaume le Conquerant, and Houlgate. We will then go inland to discover the charming old villages, such as Beaumont en Auge.

 

Visit Bayeux

In many ways, Bayeux seems to be defined by war. It houses the world famous tapestry depicting the events of the Norman conquest of England by William the Conquerer, and remnants of World War II can be found throughout. Despite its sullen past, Bayeux is a charming town with a rich history that dates back to the 1st century BC.

There’s no better way to explore Bayeux than a tour around its local food scene. Visit the markets, eat a crêpe at a local crêperie, meet with a cider producer, and enjoy lunch at a 17th century chateau.

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