Villas in Normandy, France

Normandy has been synonymous with dozens of significant events over the last millennium from medieval invasions to the D-Day landings. Gothic castles, magnificent cathedrals, memorials and ruins can be found at every turn, each revealing a fascinating insight into the region’s rich past.

From William the Conqueror to Joan of Arc, many historical figures rose to fame in Normandy, leaving behind an array of ancient sites to explore. Travel in their footsteps through the cobbled streets of Caen, Bayeux and Rouen, not forgetting one of the most spectacular sights in Europe, the majestic Mont Saint-Michel.

You’ll never be short of things to see and do in Normandy. The cultural gem boasts a wealth of historical attractions as well as lush gardens, old harbours and some of the finest museums in France. Don’t miss a viewing of the famous Bayeux Tapestry or a trip to the island of Mont Saint-Michel, the unmissable UNESCO world heritage site that sits proudly out at sea. After a day visiting the D-Day beaches, a tour of the Caen Memorial Museum is a must for WWII enthusiasts.

Normandy’s cuisine is as rich as its history. Fruit orchards and dairy farms make up the region’s lush countryside, filling the air with the scent of sweet apples and tangy cheeses. Pair Pont l’Évêque, Livarot and Camembert with a bottle of sweet, sparkling cider in Pays d’Auge or head to a family-run restaurant for a menu dripping in cream and butter. Along the coast you’ll be spoilt for choice of fresh seafood spots where oysters, scallops and mussels take centre stage.

Normandy’s dramatic coastline is unlike any other. Whilst there are plenty of pebbled and sandy shores to soak up some sunshine, this historical region is best known for the five D-day landing beaches, each dotted with memorials, abandoned bunkers and poignant war graves.

Stretching for over 50 miles, these famous sites look quite different to the chaotic scenes of 1944, where thousands of US, British, French and Canadian troops landed to begin the liberation of France. Normandy’s other seaside spots are equally striking, from the limestone cliffs of Étretat to the glamorous sands of Deauville.

• Visit Mont Saint-Michel at low tide to take a traditional pilgrimage across the water - panoramic views await at the top of the island’s iconic abbey.

• Quench your thirst over 20 orchards on Normandy’s cider route across the Pays d’Auge - don’t miss a sip of the region’s signature calvados apple brandy!

• Enter a real-life Monet painting at the artist’s house and garden in Giverny, the inspiration behind his beloved Water Lilies series.

• Wander the winding streets of Rouen, Normandy’s capital of culture packed with gothic architecture, fine museums and the extraordinary Gros-Horloge clock tower.

• Discover the picturesque harbour of Honfleur, an old seafaring port with a must-visit Maritime Museum and some of the region’s best fruit de mer.