Beyond the Landing Beaches: things to do in Normandy apart from World War II sites
- teamthomastravels
- Jun 2
- 13 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Normandy, France holds a powerful place in modern history. For many visitors, exploring the D-Day landing beaches, cemeteries and WWII museums is the main reason for coming - a chance to honour the past and understand the events that shaped the world we live in today.
But what if you've already visited all of the key war time sites and would like to extend your stay in this beautiful region of France? What if you're travelling with family or friends who are passionate about military history, and you're just not? Maybe your travel partner fully respects the significance, but they're more drawn to art, landscapes, or local cuisine than battlefields. If any of these are you, you might be wondering:
"What is there to do in Normandy apart from the Landing Beaches?"
The good news: Lots! Normandy is an amazing part of France, rich in beauty, culture, and attractions far beyond its war time legacy. Whether you’re taking a break from the WWII sites for the day or looking for an entirely different kind of itinerary, here are some incredible ways to experience Normandy apart from the D-Day Landing Beaches:
(Jump to a section or keep reading)
Foodie heaven: Normandy's regional specialities
1. Wander through picture-perfect towns
From half-timbered houses and cobbled lanes to vibrant markets and UNESCO-listed treasures, these towns offer a slower, more intimate way to experience Normandy, one café terrace or scenic stroll at a time.
Bayeux: Visit the world famous, UNESCO listed Bayeux Tapestry and explore the city's magnificent cathedral. Bayeux stands out as one of the rare Norman cities that remained untouched by Allied bombing in World War II and so its streets are a treasure trove of historic buildings, half timbered medieval homes and grand mansions.
Bayeux is also a fantastic base for exploring many of Normandy's other important sites: if you have been visiting the Landing Beaches, Bayeux is half an hour or less by car from Omaha, Juno and Gold Beaches and under 50 minutes drive from Sword and Utah; if you're looking for non Battle of Normandy locations, Bayeux is just over an hour's drive from charming Cherbourg and the Cotentin Peninsula and less than an hour and a half to the dreamy Impressionist towns of Honfleur and Deauville. You could even drive 90 minutes to one of Normandy's greatest treasures: Mont St Michel!
N.B. The Bayeux Tapestry is closing for 2 years from the end of August while a new museum is being built, so if this is a key thing you'd like to do in Normandy, you'll need to bookyourtrip for this summer!
For more inspiration for a Bayeux city break, check out our one day itinerary.
Deauville: This delightful 19th century seaside resort on Normandy’s Côte Fleurie, long known as the “Parisian Riviera.” Famous for its colourful beach brollies and 1920s promenade, Les Planches, which runs along the town's 2km long white sand beach, lined with 450 Art Deco beach huts, Deauville is an effortlessly stylish escape, perfect for a breezy coastal stroll. Rich with Belle Époque landmarks like the ornate Casino Barrière, the half-timbered Villa Strassburger, and the opulent Normandy Barrière hotel, Deauville is also a centre for equestrian and cultural events, hosting world-class polo matches, horse races, and the prestigious Deauville American Film Festival each September.
Alençon: 90 minutes drive away from Caen in southern Normandy, Alençon is a charming historic town famed for its intricate Point d’Alençon lace, recognised by UNESCO, and for being the birthplace of Saint Thérèse. Visitors can explore Alencon's medieval streets, magnificent basilica and bustling market and learning about centuries-old lace craftsmanship at the Fine Art and Lace Museum.
Need more information? We've written an Alençon visitor's guide!
Domfront: Set on a hilltop, this medieval town has cobbled streets, the ruins of a castle, historic churches and panoramic views over the countryside. Part of the newly established commune of Domfront-en-Poiraie, the region is recognised for its AOC Poiré - delicious sparkling pear cider - so it would be rude to visit without tasting some! You can even visit the Musée du Poiré 15 minutes drive up the road in Barenton. We'd also recommend sampling the local Calvados - the Domfrontais version of this Normandy specialty blends pears with the usual apples. Domfront is less than 90 minutes drive from Caen and about an hour from Alençon.
Pont-Audemer
Nicknamed “the Venice of Normandy” thanks to its scenic canals and quaint bridges, Pont-Audemer is a lovely stop on a Normandy road trip. Full of 15th and 16th century half-timbered houses, this beautiful town is famous for its leather: it supplied William the Conqueror's army before the Battle of Hastings, and was home to Thierry Hermes, founder of the luxury fashion brand, who worked for a saddler in Pont-Audermer in 1821. You can even book a kayak tour and explore the canals!
2. Tick off seven of France's officially most beautiful villages!
The association of Les Plus Beaux Villages De France awards the title of "Most Beautiful Village in France" to 159 villages, due to their heritage, architecture, culture, and gastronomy. Normandy is home to seven of them!
Barfleur: With its harbour full of brightly coloured fishing boats and grey granite houses, tiny Barfleur is very different looking to other Norman villages. While you wont find medieval timbered houses here, the 17th and 18th century grey cottages built along a promontory off the very north eastern tip of the Cotentin Peninsula have pretty white shutters and intricate terracotta finials decorating their roofs.
At the end of the harbour is the stubby, squat St Nicolas Church and a large boulder with a plaque commemorating William the Conqueror and his ship, The Mora (It was from Barfleur that William and his Norman army set sail in1066 for England prior to the Battle of Hastings). Leaving Barfleur, it's a very short drive to the second tallest lighthouse in France, the Phare de Gatteville, where you can climb the 349 steps to the top for amazing views over the coastline.
Beuvron-en-Auge: Nestled in the heart of Normandy’s picturesque Pays d’Auge, Beuvron-en-Auge is just a short drive from the coast. Famed for its impeccably preserved half-timbered houses, flower-filled streets and charming village square, visitors can browse antique shops and sample local rustic fare in the village's cider producers and traditional boulangeries. Surrounded by apple orchards and rolling countryside, Beuvron-en-Auge has a famous autumn cider festival each year and was even the home of artist David Hockney for 4 years.
Blangy-le-Chateau: Normandy's newest addition to the Plus Beaux Villages de France is nicknamed Little Rome of Calvados due to its location amongst seven hills. Chock full of half timbered houses and listed buildings, visitors should seek out the old pharmacy and the beautiful Auberge du Coq Hardi.
Le Bec-Hellouin: Set in the lush green valley of the Bec River, Le Bec-Hellouin is best known for the majestic Abbey Notre-Dame du Bec, founded in the 11th century and once a powerful centre of learning in medieval Europe. The village has peaceful streets lined with half-timbered houses and visitors can buy pottery made by the monks or enjoy a quiet moment in the Abbey’s serene gardens.
Lyons-la-Forêt: Hidden within one of the largest beech forests in Europe, Lyons-la-Forêt is home to not only classic Normandy timber-framed houses, but also pink brick and tinted cob (clay and straw) facades. Explore its elegant 18th-century covered market hall, the Church of Saint-Denis and the former home of Maurice Ravel (composer of Bolero) before popping into the village's antique shops and tearooms .
Saint-Ceneri-le-Gerei: Tucked into the tree-lined cliffs of the Alpes Mancelles on a bend in the Sarthe River, Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is just 14km from Alençon. This tiny, atmospheric village is full of medieval charm, from its 11th-century Romanesque church with rare frescoes to the riverside chapel of St Ceneri. Wander its winding cobbled lanes past flower-draped stone houses and pop into artists’ studios or the quirky “Room of the Beheaded” at the Auberge des Soeurs Moisy.
Read our guide to Saint-Ceneri-le-Gerei
Veules-les-Roses: Up on the Alabaster Coast, 12 miles southwest of Dieppe, this lovely seaside village was popular holiday resort in the 19th century and a retreat for writers like Victor Hugo. Famous for having the shortest river in France, the Veules, which winds just over 1km from spring to sea, visitors can spend a pleasant afternoon following the water past ancient watermills, thatched cottages, and blooming rose gardens, enjoying the sand and pebble beach beneath high chalk cliffs and sampling delicious local seafood: Veules-les-Roses specialises in fresh fish and oysters!
3. Follow in the footsteps of the Impressionists
Normandy was a cradle of the Impressionist movement, attracting artists like Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, and Gustave Courbet with its ever-changing skies, dramatic coastline, and quaint towns. Here are some key Normandy locations that you can visit where the impressionists painted:
Honfleur: A lovely harbour town with some serious Impressionist heritage: Claude Monet's mentor Eugene Boudin was born there and Monet and his contemporaries would often paint in the surrounding area. Spend the morning exploring the Old Town's medieval buildings and cobbled streets, admire the postcard-perfect narrow houses reflected in the Vieux Bassin and step inside spectacular Eglise Sainte-Catherine, one of the largest wooden churches in France. This "sailors' church" has an epic double nave which looks like an upturned boat. Art lovers should visit the Eugene Boudin museum to see works by Impressionist painters associated with Honfleur and the Seine Estuary.
If you're visiting between Easter and the end of October, you can take a ride on the beautiful harbourside vintage carousel!
Giverny: Best known as the home of Claude Monet, Giverny is a must-visit for art lovers and garden enthusiasts. This picturesque village on the Seine inspired some of the Impressionist master's most famous works. Visit Monet’s charming pink house and explore the exquisite gardens he designed himself, wander among vibrant flower beds, stroll the wisteria-draped Japanese bridge, and see the tranquil pond that became the subject of his iconic Water Lilies series. Beyond Monet’s home, the village offers art galleries, charming cafés, and the Musée des Impressionnismes, celebrating the wider movement that flourished here.
Rouen: A city of dramatic Gothic spires, Rouen has long inspired artists and history lovers alike. Claude Monet famously painted its majestic Rouen Cathedral more than 30 times, capturing the shifting light on its intricate façade. Art continues to thrive here, with highlights including the Musée des Beaux-Arts, home to an impressive collection of works by Caravaggio, Delacroix, and, of course, the Impressionists. For history enthusiasts, Rouen is also inextricably linked to Joan of Arc, who was tried and burned at the stake in the Old Market Square—today marked by a modern church and moving memorial.
Étretat: Famed for its dramatic white chalk cliffs and natural sea arches, Étretat is one of Normandy’s most iconic coastal destinations. The sculpted coastline, particularly the soaring Falaise d’Aval and the needle-like Aiguille, has long drawn artists seeking inspiration. It was a favourite of the Impressionists, especially Claude Monet, who painted Étretat’s cliffs repeatedly, capturing their ever-changing colours and moods. Today, visitors can follow in their footsteps with a coastal hike along the GR21 trail, taking in breathtaking views from the clifftops, or simply relax on the pebble beach while admiring the same scenes that once hung in Paris salons. The charming seaside town also offers lovely gardens, galleries, and seafood restaurants to round out your visit.
4. Explore Normandy’s history highlights beyond the D-Day story.
Apart from Normandy's WWII sites and D-Day beaches, the region also offers a fascinating array of alternative historic landmarks that span millennia. From Roman ruins and Norman castles to medieval abbeys and even the Titanic, there is so much for history lovers to enjoy. Here are a selection of fascinating historic sites that reveal the depth and diversity of Normandy’s past beyond 1939-1945:
Romans:
Normandy isn’t as rich in Roman ruins as, say, Provence in southern France, but it does have a few notable Roman sites worth visiting for a glimpse into Gallo-Roman life:
Juliobona (Lillebonne, 40 minutes from Le Havre) - This was an important Roman town, and you can still visit the remains of a well-preserved Roman theatre, the best preserved in northern France, as well as a small museum displaying mosaics, sculptures, and everyday Roman objects found in tombs.
Vieux-la-Romaine (just outside Caen) - The site of the ancient city of Aregenua, with archaeological remains, two reconstructions of Roman houses, and a museum showcasing the life of a Roman town in Gaul.
Gicasum Archaeological Site - Close to Évreux (45 minutes from Giverny), you can learn more about this important Roman city in the archaeological museum/interpretation centre and see the remains of the public baths in the archaeological garden. The site is still excavated each summer, and there are lots of different events throughout the year.
The Normans: As well as ticking off the Bayeux Tapestry, visitors interested in William the Conqueror and the Normans will enjoy these other key sites, reflecting the power, wealth, and ambition of the Norman dukes:
Château de Falaise - Birthplace of William the Conqueror. The imposing stone fortress gives a vivid insight into Norman military architecture.
Abbaye aux Hommes (Caen) – Founded by William the Conqueror, this abbey is a masterpiece of Norman Romanesque architecture and William himself is buried here.
Mont Saint Michel - Right at the edge of Normandy and Brittany, this stunning island abbey is an unmissable stop. Rising like a fairytale from the tidal sands, Mont Saint-Michel is Normandy’s most iconic medieval marvel—part abbey, part fortress, and steeped in over a thousand years of history. Founded in the 8th century after the Archangel Michael was said to have appeared to a local bishop, Mont Saint-Michel became a powerful medieval pilgrimage site and an impregnable fortress during the Hundred Years’ War.
Magical Mont St Michel Bayeux Cathedral – A stunning Romanesque-Gothic cathedral consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror. It once housed the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
Abbaye aux Dames (Caen) – Founded by William's wife, Matilda of Flanders.
Jumièges Abbey – The most beautiful ruin in France according to Victor Hugo! The stunning silhouette of this once-mighty Benedictine monastery has survived the vikings, the Hundred Years War and the French Revolution.
Springtime in Jumièges Abbey © Marie-Anaïs Thierry You should also visit La Mora, Honfleur: This brand new attraction offers a unique glimpse into history through its ambitious project to reconstruct the Mora, William the Conqueror’s flagship from the 1066 invasion of England. Visitors can explore an immersive exhibition with multimedia displays, watch traditional shipbuilding in action and even learn about Normandy’s Viking heritage. The full-sized ship is expected to be launched in 2027 to coincide with the 1000th anniversary of William the Conqueror's birth and there are plans for it to set sail across the English Channel in 2030.
The Titanic: At 18:35 on 10th April 1912, RMS Titanic arrived in Cherbourg, Normandy. 281 passengers boarded, including one of the wealthiest people on the planet: hotel mogul John Jacob Astor IV and his 19 year old wife Madeleine. While the Titanic was waiting in Cherbourg, she also took onboard all kinds of luxury French goods for the transatlantic crossing including champagne, wine and cheese.
Situated in the historic art deco transatlantic terminal in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the impressive maritime museum complex, La Cité de la Mer, houses the permanent exhibition: Titanic, Return to Cherbourg. Visitors can examine personal belongings of passengers salvaged from the wreck site, detailed reconstructions of cabins and impressive multimedia that brings the ship's tragic last few hours to life.
5. Taste your way through Normandy.
Normandy is a fantastic foodie destination! Try the region's unique, award winning cheeses straight from local producers, sip cider or Calvados in an orchard and enjoy fresh seafood on the coast - the flavours of Normandy are as memorable as its scenery! Here are a few ideas for sampling Normandy's best:
Mussels in Barfleur: This picturesque fishing village on Normandy’s east coast is famous for its delicious moules de Barfleur. Grown in the cold, clean waters of the English Channel, these mussels are smaller, sweeter, and packed with flavour. Whether you enjoy them steamed with white wine and shallots or baked with cream and Camembert, tasting Barfleur mussels fresh from the sea is a must-do experience when visiting the Cotentin Peninsula. Many harbourfront restaurants serve them with crispy fries and a view of the boats that brought them in.
Fresh seafood in Honfleur: Honfleur, with its centuries-old maritime heritage, is one of Normandy’s top spots for sampling fresh seafood. The town’s bustling quayside restaurants serve up everything from platters of oysters and whelks to moules marinières, crabs and grilled sea bass caught in the nearby Channel. Thanks to its location at the mouth of the Seine, Honfleur has long been a hub for fishermen, and today, its daily catch still fuels the town’s menus. We'd recommend booking a table at Bistro La Grenouille.
Indulge in Normandy cheeses: Normandy is a paradise for cheese lovers, home to some of France’s most iconic fromages. The region is best known for its “AOC” specialties: Camembert de Normandie, with its rich, creamy texture and bloomy rind, Pont-l’Évêque, a soft, washed-rind square cheese, Livarot, nicknamed “The Colonel” for the five strips of raffia around its rind, and Neufchâtel, a heart-shaped cheese that’s one of France’s oldest.
To try all four, visit the village of Pont-l'Eveque and stop at Fromagerie La Degusterie, 26 Rue Saint-Michel. Here you can order a mixed cheese and charcuterie board and sample Normandy's 4 celebrated AOP cheeses: Camembert, Livarot, Neufchatel and Pont-l'Eveque. Why not order it with a local cider and a chunk of crusty baguette?
Sip on Calvados: Just outside of Pont-l'Eveque is the Pere Magloire Calvados Experience - an immersive 40 minute walk through time, exploring the history of Calvados, Normandy's special apple brandy, though a blend of impressive audio-visual and innovative dioramas. Your visit ends with a guided tasting!
For something slightly less fiery, try Pommeau, an apple based Normandy aperitif that's typically 17% ABV compared to Calvados' 40% -you can often visit an apple farm and try their produce on site, including another Normandy speciality, Cider! We spent a very pleasant afternoon at Ferme Cidricole Biologique Corinne et Hugues Desfrièches trying all three tipples - it's only a 35 minute drive from Alencon and you can book a visit online.
Quench your thirst with Poiré: Apples aside, for Normandy's famous Poiré, head to Écomusée du Poiré, Barenton - this charming museum celebrates the region’s centuries-old tradition of making pear cider. Wander through orchards of ancient pear trees, learn about traditional cider-making tools and techniques and enjoy a tasting of this refreshing Norman specialty.
Final thoughts:
Normandy’s D-Day beaches and WWII sites hold an irreplaceable place in history and in the hearts of many visitors; They remind us of sacrifice, courage, and the profound events that shaped the modern world. At the same time, Normandy’s appeal extends far beyond those beaches: Its charming villages, inspiring landscapes, rich artistic heritage and exceptional culinary traditions offer a different kind of journey - one that celebrates life, culture, and beauty. Whether you’re pausing between visits to the war time sites or simply looking to experience Normandy from another angle, there is so much to discover!
Disclosure: Some of the towns and attractions mentioned, we visited as part of two press trips with Normandy Tourism, but as always we were not paid to post and all opinions are our own. We pride ourselves in only recommending the very best to our readers and will only suggest places we genuinely enjoyed!
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