Looking for nature, seaside and culture? Go to Normandy! With its 600 km of coastline, its 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites and its typical bocage, the region is ideal for a weekend getaway - or more - in search of authenticity. From Seine-Maritime to Calvados, throughEure,Orne and Manche, Petit Futé invites you to brave the Normandy drizzle to discover its 10 favorite sites.
N°10 - Bayeux and its tapestry
When one crosses Bayeux, one is struck by its typical architecture made of half-timbered houses and manors. But if this town of Calvados attracts so many visitors, it is for another treasure... The Bayeux tapestry, which is nearly 1,000 years old, fascinates by its beauty. Over 70 m long and 50 m wide, it illustrates the conquest of England by William the Conqueror. Incredibly well preserved, it is a precious testimony of life in the Middle Ages.
N°9 - The mythical boards of Deauville
Often associated with romanticism and French elegance, Deauville has become part of history since the filming of Claude Lelouch's famous Un homme, une femme . Adored by Parisians, it is popularly considered the 21st arrondissement of the capital! Les Planches de Deauville is a meeting place for celebrities, especially during the famous American film festival. The cabins bearing the names of all these stars form a real little "Hollywood Boulevard" on which it is good to walk.
N°8 - The chapel oak of Allouville-Bellefosse
Located in the Pays de Caux in Seine-Maritime, in the center of the village ofAllouville-Bellefosse, this oak is the oldest in France. Its age is not certain, but recent studies attribute 1,200 years to it. In its heart, it shelters two tiny chapels! The first, located in the trunk at the foot of the tree, is dedicated to Our Lady of Peace. The second, at the top of the tree, is called "Chapel of Calvary". A magical site to discover with your family!
N°7 - The little port of Honfleur
The Norman capital of artists, Honfleur has traveled the world thanks to the painters who have immortalized its port. At the gates of the Pays d'Auge, on the flowery coast, Honfleur charms the strollers with its picturesque lanes and its Old Basin lined with restaurants. Its typical Norman houses covered with slates and the changing color of its sky have made it one of the main cradles of impressionism.
N°6 - Veules-les-Roses and the Veules
What seduces above all in Veules-les-Roses is its village spirit. This little jewel of the Côte d'Albâtre with its sandy beach at low tide was a very popular vacation spot in the 19th century: Victor Hugo had his habits there. The river that flows between its typical half-timbered houses - the Veules - is the smallest in France since its course extends only 1,150 km! Watercress was grown here and sold in the capital.
N°5 - Rouen and its cathedral
Capital of Normandy, Rouen is better known as "the city of a hundred steeples", dear to Victor Hugo, Gustave Flaubert or Corneille. Indeed, it has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for many artists such as Claude Monet who immortalized its imposing cathedral 30 times! This marvel of Gothic architecture built in the 13th century illuminates the city center. Its cast iron spire, which rises to 151m, is the highest in France. A must-see!
N°4 - The D-Day landing beaches, a historical journey
The landing of June 6, 1944 on the Normandy beaches is one of the most important episodes in the history of the liberation of France. Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach are now part of the world heritage. The American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer allows you to pay homage to all those soldiers who fell for France... The emotion is palpable.
N°3- The Claude Monet Foundation in Giverny, the colors of impressionism
Claude Monet's famous pink plastered house never ceases to amaze its visitors. Here, even if the Norman sky is often gray, the colors warm the atmosphere and the soul of the painter still hovers in the garden paths. If the house allows us to discover the artist's incredible collection of Japanese prints, it is the exterior that should not be missed! It is here, facing the still intact Japanese bridge, that Claude Monet painted his famous Water Lilies.
N°2 - Étretat and its sumptuous cliffs
A real postcard of Normandy, the cliffs of Étretat have inspired many artists like Claude Monet who illustrated them in one of his most famous series of paintings. This majestic site which, by its verticality, contrasts with the softness of the Channel tides, offers one of the most beautiful walks in Normandy. Mystery lovers will also be able to discover Arsène Lupin's house : the author of his adventures, Maurice Leblanc, is a child of the country (of Caux)!
N°1 - The mythical Mont-Saint-Michel
Is it still necessary to present the Mont-Saint-Michel ? Yes, it is indeed in Normandy! Its intense liturgical activity since the 8th century has made it one of the main places of pilgrimage in honor of the archangel Saint Michael. Built on a rocky islet, in the middle of a bay, the tides that surround it are among the highest in Europe. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most visited monuments in France, and this year it celebrates its thousandth anniversary.
