In Normandy, you can bask in the natural surroundings that once inspired great works of art. You’ll learn about France’s role in the Second World War. You’ll even discover remnants of the region’s Medieval past. And that’s only some of what you’ll enjoy in this northern region of France.
Want to know more? Here are our 8 reasons to include Normandy in your European travel itinerary.
A Glimpse Into Europe’s Wartime Events
A trip to Normandy offers the discerning tourist all they could wish for on a European getaway. It has a temperate climate, warm weather during the peak tourist season (June to August), and stunning natural scenery. It also offers a glimpse into the events of the Second World War that shaped the world’s history.
Indeed, Normandy is famous for these fascinating WW2 tours, which bring the scenes of the D-Day campaign to life. Although other European cities have tours centered around world wars, Normandy’s tours allow participants to experience the sites almost exactly as they were all those years ago.
Sites of Medieval History
Visitors to Europe, particularly from the US, sometimes forget just how old the European countries are. They have much to tell us about life in the distant past. Normandy has a long history of habitation and was a thriving center in the Middle Ages, also known as medieval times.
Visiting the ruins of medieval settlements in Normandy is like taking a trip back in time. Visit the ancient fortified town of Bellême or the remnants of the Dormfront chapel. If you’re traveling with young children, the medieval Mont-Saint-Michel abbey offers themed family tours, free for kids.
Pristine Coastlines
There are many fantastic beaches outside the US you can visit, and you’ll discover quite a few of them on a European vacation. While not typically thought of as a beach holiday destination, Normandy is a coastal region with exceptional beauty.
The brave men who landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-day never got to appreciate the shores they fought on. But you can. Walk along any of the 50 miles of Normandy’s coastline, and you’ll find exceptional places to explore all the way.
Visits to Magnificent Castles
If you’re going to Europe to see castles, you simply have to include Normandy on your itinerary. And with so many beautifully preserved castles and chateaus to explore, you’ll need more than a few days to see them all.
Fortunately, most of them offer a variety of guided tours, so you can learn more about them while keeping to your travel schedule. If you don’t have the time to see them all, Mont Saint-Michel, Château de Caen, Chateau Gaillard, and Château de Falaise are some popular attractions to consider.
Splendid Photographic Opportunities
Paris, France is often named as one of the most photogenic cities in the world. But several beautiful locations in France are worthy of your camera lens. And Normandy is one of them.
From outcrops of granite rock and cliffs of limestone and chalk, to sandy dunes and lush green landscapes, you’ll find much to delight the senses. So don’t forget to take lots of photographs documenting your journey. You’ll be the envy of all your friends.
Unspoilt Natural Beauty
While you’re out and about taking those vacation snapshots, you’ll notice how much unspoiled natural scenery there is to enjoy. This is often taken for granted, yet it’s an important point to consider when planning your European travel itinerary.
With so many European cities built up around tourism hubs, it’s refreshing to be able to wander about freely in nature. While it’s true that Normandy can become more crowded during the peak season, you’ll save on accommodation and avoid large crowds by planning your trip in March or April.
Scenes of Artistic Inspiration
Claude Monet’s impressionist paintings were inspired by the natural beauty of Normandy. Alfred Sisley’s paintings, too, testified to Noramndy’s beautiful landscapes and coastline. Even the great Vincent van Gogh was inspired by Normandy’s rural scenes.
The scenic beauty of Normandy inspired these and several others of the world famous artists, and it’s sure to inspire you, too.
Moments of Spiritual Reflection
The Abbey of Saint-Michel, situated atop a small, rocky island in the estuary of the Couesnon River, is a sacred medieval site that still welcomes visitors to this day. It’s been a place of solitude and spiritual reflection for monks, nuns, and spiritually minded pilgrims for centuries.
Normandy is also the place where St. Thérèse of Lisieux lived and died. It’s where Joan of Arc was tried and executed at the hands of the English. Normandy has a wealth of cathedrals, chapels, shrines, and memorials that you can discover on one of the local pilgrimage tours.
Published by: Martin De Juan
