Normandy Tours and Trips
Quick Facts
| Good season | May to September |
| Peak season | June to August (June is especially busy for D-Day events) |
| Size | 30,600 km2 (11,825 mi2) |
| Population | 3.5 million |
| Adjacent cities/destinations | Paris, Rouen, Caen, Mont St. Michel, Bayeux, Honfleur, Deauville |
Tour Highlights
- Make it a point to visit Mont-Saint-Michel during your trip to Normandy. This tidal island is famed for its castle-like abbey that appears as though it has risen out of the sea.
- Head to Caen for a whole host of things to do and explore. Caen Castle and the men’s and women’s abbey all have links to William the Conqueror, and when night falls, the streets in the Vanguex neighborhood come alive with various bars and restaurants.
- See the infamous Bayeux Tapestry that depicts the campaign led by William the Conqueror to conquer England in 1066.
- Enjoy the perfect seaside holiday in Deauville, which is also popular among visitors for its golf courses, marina, horse racing culture, and casinos.
- Visit the capital of the Normandy region, Rouen. This port city is steeped in history, with the oldest inn in France, La Couronne, the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Gros Horloge Clock Tower.
- Explore the D-Day beaches on a World War II tour of Normandy. The five beaches, with their code names of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword can evoke powerful feelings as you walk where many men bravely fought for Europe’s freedom.
- Savor some of the best cheeses in France, all found in the Normandy region. The star of the show is Camembert, but other varieties like Neufchatel, Livarot, and Pont-l’Eveque aren't to be missed.
Travel Tips
- Be respectful when visiting war memorials in Normandy.
- Devote at least half a day to the Mémorial de Caen, which commemorates Normandy Landings and the Battle of Caen.
- Make your vacation go further by booking tours from Paris to Normandy. As most key attractions and towns are just a two-hour drive from the capital, you get to experience the best of both worlds.
- Add Amiens and Lille to your itinerary if you are on a World War II tour of Normandy.
- Plan ahead if you are going on Normandy beach tours in the summer, which is the peak time for tourism. Or aim for the shoulder months of May and September.
- Consider visiting lesser-known gems like Trouville-Sur-Mer and Valleuse d’Antifer on your Normandy trip.
