16 Reasons to Visit Normandy, France with Kids
Best Places to Visit and Things to Do
“How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?”
Small village in Normandy where we stopped for lunch
Normandy, located in northwestern France, is a beautiful region which is rich in history and filled with wild landscapes. It is famous for its medieval and 20th-century history, Impressionist art, regional cuisine, beautiful landscapes, and picturesque towns. From William the Conqueror, to Joan of Arc, to the famous D-Day landings of WWII, there is so much for your family to experience and learn about together. If you have school-aged children, we highly recommend spending some time, whether it be a few days or a few weeks, exploring this amazing region. You’ll be able to take in the breathtaking scenery, including 350 miles of coastline. You’ll also have an opportunity to witness incredibly well-preserved historic landmarks that will give your children incomparable lessons in history that will stick with them for a lifetime.
We’ve provided links throughout this post to other articles we’ve written on our personal experiences in Normandy. We’ve also included links to outside resources for places/activities on our bucket list that we haven’t experienced yet. We hope you’ll find this information helpful when planning your own trip to the region.
16 Reasons to Visit Normandy with Your Family:
Normandy has been voted Most Desirable Region in Europe! – In November 2022, hundreds of the world’s travel leaders came together at the Tower of London for the 21st annual Wanderlust Travel Awards. Wanderlust Magazine is the UK's leading independent travel media brand and has been serving its readers since 1993. Each year, the magazine asks its readers to vote for their favorite countries, cities, regions, and more, both within Europe and around the rest of the world. For the very first time, a French region took Gold for the Most Desirable Region (Europe), and that region was Normandy! Normandy nudged out Andalusia and the Greek Islands to win the Gold.
Normandy is beautiful and full of things to do year-round – You can explore major visitor attractions like Mont-Saint-Michel or the D-Day landing beaches in the spring when there are fewer crowds and the area is coming alive with spring flowers. Enjoy locally loved parks, recreational activities like biking and boating, and light shows in the summer (Rouen, Mont-Saint-Michel, and Bayeux). Attend food festivals to sample the abundant apple harvest and local cheese and seafood during the autumn harvest season. In late fall and early winter, enjoy the numerous Christmas markets throughout the region that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit. There is always something fun to do!
Normandy is easy to get to – From the UK, Normandy can be reached in a few hours by ferry via one of 4 cross-Channel ports. From Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, you can reach the easternmost border of Normandy in just an hour by car. The closest beaches to Paris are about a two hour drive. You could also catch a train from Paris Saint-Lazare station and arrive in Giverny in just an hour or Rouen in less than an hour and a half.
For those that like to cruise, Cherbourg and Le Havre are popular port destinations for cruise lines that offer port excursions to visit the D-day beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel, Claude Monet’s home in Giverny, and the Rouen Cathedral. You can also book cruises on the Seine River that cruise all through the Normandy towns. Some even cruise round trip from Paris to Normandy, offering excursions at all the most popular tourist sites throughout the region.
Experience the chalk cliffs of Étretat that have inspired masterpieces – Over centuries, nature has carved some unusual shapes out of the white cliffs in Étretat. As a result, the town has attracted many artists who have sought to capture its beauty on canvas. Both Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin immortalized the Aval arch in their famous paintings. While the arched cliffs are the main attraction, the town also boasts an 18-hole golf course overlooking the needle-like structure of L’Aiguille. In addition, you can tour the Jardins d’Étretat, a beautiful, Asian-inspired garden with incredible views over Étretat. We highly recommend hiking up the cliffs to the east to take in a stunning sunset during your visit.
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Walk the historic sites of World War II – There are multiple D-Day museums dedicated to sharing the efforts of the Allied Forces to liberate France, and the rest of Europe, during Operation Overlord in June of 1944. With the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings coming up in June of 2024, this makes for a unique opportunity to learn about and remember the sacrifices made.
The Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches (Gold Beach) was the very first museum built in Normandy to present the events from June 6, 1944 onwards to the conclusion of Operation Overlord and the rest of the War. In March 2023, the museum unveiled a new exhibition space to help visitors understand the incredible technological challenge of building the artificial port, a gigantic project initiated by Winston Churchill. The new building is located just a few steps away from the former museum, and right in front of the remains of the artificial port. We personally toured the Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie (Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy) in Bayeux, with our kids, and we all learned so much. We were relieved to find that each display had English translations so we were able to easily understand everything. The girls enjoyed wandering through the displays and loved reading about the countries, leaders, and battles of Operation Overlord and seeing pictures, timelines, and the equipment used.
You can also walk any of the 5 D-Day landing beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. We walked on Gold Beach where we were able to see the remnants of one of the artificial harbors. Allied forces built these for the purpose of delivering valuable equipment, tanks, troops, and other reinforcements into France. We also visited Omaha Beach where we tried to imagine what it must have been like for our soldiers to land there, facing fierce enemy fire from the high cliffs looming over the beach. Perched partway up the steep hillside, we found the remains of a German bunker and walked through it as a family. Looking down at the beach from this bunker gave us a deeper appreciation for the tremendous sacrifice made by our troops.
There are also several cemeteries that provide the final resting place for those who gave their lives in the effort. We toured the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach which overlooks the landing beach. Our children were as moved by our entire D-Day Experience as the adults and it has been a topic of conversation on many occasions since our visit.
Tour the Iconic Mont-Saint-Michel – Mont-Saint-Michel is second only to the Eiffel Tower as the most popular tourist attraction in France. We could quickly see that this beautiful medieval walled city, crowned by its stunning gothic abbey was everything we imagined it would be, and more! The island and its surrounding Bay were one of the first monuments to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1979. Le Mont-Saint-Michel is more than just a church on a rock, it is one of the few places in France to have preserved its medieval walls. We highly recommend staying overnight so you can enjoy the quiet and calm as you explore the island town after dark when it is much less crowded. We learned so much during our visit there, including one reason why we will definitely be returning to Mont-Saint-Michel in the future!
Learn about the 1st Norman King of England in Caen – The gorgeous town of Caen is bursting with history that dates back to the 9th century when the Vikings first settled the territory. The region owes its name to the Vikings, or Normans (northmen), of that period in history. For almost 150 years following the Norman conquest of England in 1066, Normandy and England were linked by having the same person reign as both Duke of Normandy and King of England. That first Norman king, William the Conqueror, has a great presence here. He had the Abbey of Saint-Étienne built to better his relationship with the church in the hopes of receiving the church’s blessing of his marriage to Matilda of Flanders. The church even serves as his final resting place.
Immerse yourself in the experience of Rouen – The city of Rouen is known for having some very notable buildings and landmarks. The town includes about 2,000 beautiful half-timbered houses. It is dominated by its 151m tall Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, the tallest cathedral in France. Its beautiful façade was painted by Claude Monet over 30 times in varying degrees of light. The mummified heart of Richard the Lionheart (Richard I of England) is buried in a tomb there. Amazingly, it has survived religious wars, the French Revolution, and WWII.
The large clock tower, Gros-Horloge is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. Hovering above Rouen’s main shopping street, it welcomes visitors with its Renaissance design. Église Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc was completed in 1979 and rises over the location where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Her namesake museum is also located in Rouen and takes visitors on an interactive journey of her life and death. In addition to its impressive historical sites, Rouen offers visitors several beautiful botanical gardens and a vibrant metropolitan city full of culture and gastronomic experiences.
Walk through Claude Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny – We ended up spending way more time here than we’d anticipated. Our daughters loved walking in the footsteps of Claude Monet as we toured his spectacular home and gardens and imagined his paintings coming to life. Our youngest ended up with my phone trying to painstakingly capture the beauty of each flower. We spent significant time wandering through the Japanese water gardens, enjoying the stunning landscaping and the small creatures that are drawn to it. His home, which is filled with colorful rooms and plentiful knick-knacks, was quite interesting to tour as well. We learned so much about his life and relationships in addition to appreciating the beauty that he found so inspiring.
Explore the historic city of Le Havre – Le Havre is the birthplace of Impressionism. It was here that Claude Monet painted Impression Sunrise in 1873. It was one of the nine works that he showed at the First Impressionist Exhibition of 1874. It is also one of France’s most unique cities. It was recently crowned a hipster heaven by The Independent due to some impressively modern architecture that has been added in the last 20 years.
Despite being heavily destroyed during the Second World War, the city center was rebuilt by architect Auguste Perret, and became listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. In addition to history and modern architecture, visitors will enjoy a lively music scene and some trendy bars and cafés. You might want to visit the Musée d'art moderne André Malraux (or MuMa for short). This contemporary art museum was actually the first museum in Le Havre. Also, be sure to check out Les Bains des Docks, the aquatic center that was designed by Jean Nouvel and was inspired by ancient Roman baths.
Experience the regatta celebration of an intense sailing race – If you’re blessed to be in the Normandy region this October, you can attend a truly spectacular event. The Transat Jacques Vabre has become the toughest and longest-running transatlantic sailing event in the world, and it is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023! The huge event on the international sailing calendar is named after, and sponsored by, a French coffee brand. Every other year, at the end of October, visitors gather for the regatta, featuring 10 days of celebrations. The festivities, which are set up around where the boats are moored, end with a huge party and a fireworks display the day before sailing. Over 60 boats leave from the seaside resort of Le Havre heading toward Fort-de-France Bay in the West Indies. The course retraces the historic coffee route between the first coffee-trading port in France and the beautiful coffee-producing lands of the West Indies. The regatta is the ideal opportunity for visitors to discover this famous sailing competition.
Experience one of many unique theme parks – Many kids love theme parks and Normandy is home to quite a few fun and unique options. Park du Bocasse is located in the countryside, just 25km from Rouen and is Normandy’s oldest theme park. It features great thrill rides, water fun at Splash City, and plenty of family friendly activities. Festyland is Normandy’s largest theme park and boasts Viking themed rides and shows which is a truly fun way to immerse your kids in the Viking/Norman influence of the region. Parc Ange Michel is another fun option which is located in a beautiful setting, just 25 minutes from Mont-Saint-Michel.
For older kids who crave a challenge, Normandy has several climbing and adventure parks. Beauregard Adventure -Treetop Adventure Park is located just 5 minutes from Caen and offers 160 activities suitable for all ages. Les Randos de Peirrot delivers the unique concept of motorized hiking without CO2 emissions or noise. We took our girls to Bayeux Adventure Park for a day of ziplining in the trees and fun games and activities. It was a huge hit and they can’t wait to go back some day. Bayeux Adventure Park also hosts a summer concert series. Each weekend in July and August, a different band performs at this locally loved park.
Visit France’s favorite monument in Cherbourg – Each year there is a contest in France that asks residents to vote for their favorite monument. Each region submits a candidate and the public determines the winner. In 2022 viewers of the “Monument Préféré des Français” TV program voted for La Gare Maritime Transatlantique de Cherbourg et le sous-marin Le Redoutable. The Cherbourg Transatlantic Maritime Station was the largest construction in France after Versailles back when it was built in 1933. The monument beat out 13 other contenders throughout France. Visitors will find a unique and family-friendly museum which tells the city’s maritime history. The museum is housed in an impressive Art Deco building that is listed as a property of national importance. The structure was partially demolished during World War II and then rebuilt, keeping original features such as the rail tracks. The place that once bustled with the activity of luxury trains and wealthy passengers embarking on a transatlantic cruise liner has been lovingly preserved.
Today, you can visit Le Redoutable, the only ballistic missile nuclear submarine in the world that is open to the public. You can take an audio tour of the 128m long vessel for an opportunity to experience how the crew would have functioned on a day to day basis. Another exhibit, Return to Titanic, was created in 2012 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Cherbourg holds a connection with the Titanic which made her second-to-last stop there before heading out to her fate. The exhibit recreates several scenes onboard and is narrated from 3 different perspectives: a child, a wealthy woman, and a poor man. In addition to Le Redoutable and Return to Titanic, visitors can experience several other exhibits at the museum.
Shop for local favorites at a French market – Almost every town, from small villages to larger cities, hosts a market. This is the best place to get the freshest locally sourced produce, cheeses, and meat. (Normandy has amazing fresh fish!) The Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives market is said to be the largest market in France and has been around since the days of William the Conqueror! It boasts over 200 booths selling fresh local produce, ciders, cheeses, dairy products, clothes, bags, and accessories. You can even participate in a livestock auction. The Norman barn where it is held is an attraction in itself. Every town and village will have a website with information on when and where markets are held. These markets are great places where you and your kids can meet locals and even practice your French.
Enjoy the amazing regional cuisine – Gastronomy is a huge part of the culture of this region. The Normandy region is home to 28 Michelin Star restaurants! But even if you’re not planning to splurge on fine dining as a family, there are plenty of ways to introduce your kids to the wonderful cuisines of Normandy.
Seafood is found in abundance here due to its 350 miles of coastline. The region is also famous for its normande breed of cows which provide for a menu full of wonderful meats and cheeses. You’ll also find sheep grazing throughout the region, providing a delicious bounty of milk and cheese. We enjoyed lots of crepes and gaufres (waffles) throughout France but while in Normandy, we found some amazing savory crepes made with buckwheat flour called galettes. Our girls even found their burgers were served on a buckwheat flour bun when we had dinner out at Le Moulin de la Galette during our stay near Bayeux.
Another classic staple of this region is apples. Apple ciders are produced in and sold throughout the region. Their origins date back to the 11th century. You’ll also want to try Calvados which is an aged apple brandy that can only be made in the Normandy region of France (similar to how Bourbon only comes from Kentucky). You can find it offered as both an aperitif or digestif, although it is more traditionally considered an after-dinner drink.
France is known for its delicious breads and desserts. Brioche, a bread enriched with butter and eggs, is believed to have originated in the Normandy region. Even though it’s quite unlikely that Marie Antoinette ever uttered the words translated as “Let them eat cake,” the phrase often attributed to her is actually the traditional translation of the French phrase "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche" referring to the luxury food item. In addition to brioche, the region takes advantage of the abundant apple crop in its signature dessert - the Tarte Normande. This pastry, filled with sliced apples, almonds, and sugar, is traditionally topped with egg custard and baked until the topping is caramelized. There are plenty of ways to treat your taste buds while visiting Normandy!
Have an Uncommon Family Adventure in Normandy – The Normandy Tourism Board has compiled a list of experiences that are unique to the Normandy region. They include active and outdoor experiences as well as lifestyle and wellness opportunities. Some family-friendly adventures include canoeing in the Suisse Normande, water sports in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, painting like Claude Monet on the Alabaster Coast, and making your own organic apple juice in Pays d’Auge. You can find out about these experiences and more on their website.
Normandy was our first introduction to France outside of Paris. We spent 9 days immersing ourselves in this beautiful region. Even if we had spent months we still would have had so much more to see and experience. We hope we’ve inspired you to venture outside of Paris and spend time exploring all that Normandy has to offer. Have you been to Normandy? We’d love to hear from you about your favorite memories of this amazing region!
