Must-see places

Étretat

1h

The cliffs of Étretat are one of those sites that never disappoint and the beauty of the place is that it adapts to everyone and all the desires of the moment. You can very well spend an hour walking on the beach and admire the cliffs from the bottom, the feet in the pebbles, effortlessly. Or spend half a day hiking on the cliffs, with breathtaking views from all angles - the Manneporte, the Aiguille, the Porte d'Aval. The garden hanging on the heights is a marvel in its own right, not to be missed. Étretat is suitable for all profiles - families, hikers, landscape lovers, or simply those who want to sit in front of the sea and do nothing.

Our tip. Important: if you go down to the beach near the cliffs, check the tide schedule before leaving. High tide can block some passages.

The Mont Saint-Michel

1h45

Few places really keep their promise. The Mont Saint-Michel is one of them. Set on its rocky island in the middle of a huge bay at the greatest tides in Europe, it releases something quite unreal. Ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site is spectacular without the need to do too much. To fully enjoy it, try to arrive early in the morning before visitors arrive. Those who are not afraid to return later can also stay until sunset, when the light becomes particularly beautiful on the bay.

Our tip. It is one of the most frequented sites in France. Early morning in the week is the best time. Paid parking at the entrance, free shuttle to the Mont. To be combined with Granville for a beautiful full day.

Monet House and Gardens - Giverny

1h

Giverny really gives the impression of entering an array. The gardens, the Japanese bridge, the nympheas and Monet's house are even more beautiful and alive than one can imagine. The flowers change over the seasons - each visit is different. Even those who are not particularly familiar with Impressionism are often seduced by the place. The Museum of Impressionism, right next door, is also worth a visit if you have time. To be combined with the Seine river bends and, on the way back, spectacular views from Château Gaillard.

Our tip. Prepare to leave the Upper Clos bubble - Giverny attracts visitors from all over the world. Book your tickets online in advance, this is essential. Open from April to November.

Château Gaillard & the Seine river bends

1h

The ruins of Château Gaillard dominate one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Seine Valley. Built by Richard Coeur de Lion at the end of the 12th century, the fortress overlooks the cliffs and meanderings of the river with spectacular views. The road through the Seine river bends is worth almost as much the detour as the castle itself, between cliffs, forest and panoramas on the river.

Our tip. The Andelys and Château Gaillard combine very well with Giverny for a beautiful day in the Eure.

Veules-les-Roses

1h30

Veules-les-Roses is one of the most beautiful villages in France - and one of our favourites. A small coastal village full of charm, crossed by the Veules, the smallest river in France, between mills, old houses, flowered cottages and quiet little alleys. On the seafront, the oysters of Veulaises raised in the open sea are a speciality not to be missed.

Our tip. To combine with a walk on the nearby Alabaster cliffs for a beautiful coastal half day.

Granville

1h45

Granville is a city of character perched on a rocky promontory facing the sea. The fortified high town, beaches, casino and Christian Dior Museum, native of the city, make it a rich and varied stage. To be combined naturally with Mont Saint-Michel for a big day in the Cotentin. For the curious - if you still have time... You stay for several days at Le Clos du Haut and have already seen the great must-sees? Here are some places a little more discreet, a little further sometimes, but which we like to recommend to curious travelers.

Our tip. Granville + Mont Saint-Michel: a full day, well rhythmic. Leave early.

Dieppe

1h30

A large Norman port with a true maritime identity, a long pebbly beach, a castle-museum overlooking the sea and one of the most famous markets in the region on Saturday morning. A city that is alive and rougher than the Côte Fleurie

Our tip. To be combined with a visit to Miromesnil Castle on the countryside, then Hautot-sur-Mer for a wilder stopover by the sea.

The Cotentin Peninsula

2h

From Barfleur to Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Tatihou Island, from Barneville-Carteret to Gatteville Lighthouse and the Bay of Écalgrain, this part of Cotentin offers a more wild and preserved Normandy. It is sometimes called Norman Ireland, for its large landscapes, its changing light and its rougher side.

Our tip. Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is the cradle of some of the best oysters in Normandy.

The Bec-Hellouin

45 min

One of the most beautiful villages in France, built around its Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th century. Colombies, flowers, silence and peaceful atmosphere: a perfect stop for lovers of beautiful addresses a little out of time.

Lyons la Forêt

1:15

A beautiful village nestled in the heart of an immense beech forest. Old halls, Norman houses and atmosphere out of time: the place has a lot of charm.

Our tip. Very beautiful in autumn when the forest completely changes color.

Pont-Audemer

30 minutes

Nicknamed the Norman Venice, Pont-Audemer is crossed by several river arms and has an ancient center very pleasant to travel through. A nice stop often forgotten classic tourist routes.

Our tip. The market on Monday and Friday is very lively.

Fécamp

1:15

Often overshadowed by Étretat, however, Fécamp deserves a great deal of detour. Former large morutier port of Normandy, the city mixes spectacular cliffs, living port and maritime heritage.