Normandy’s got this rare mix of wartime echoes, wild coastline, and a kind of old-world charm that makes every week here feel like a bit of an adventure. From Étretat’s cliffs to the D-Day beaches, you’ll find yourself bouncing between moments of reflection and bursts of inspiration.
With summer weather on your side, you can dip in and out of museums, wander along the coast, or just soak up the countryside. It’s really easy to blend visits to WWII sites with stops at food markets, medieval towns, and boat rides. There’s plenty of room to balance history lessons with just kicking back and enjoying the view.
1) Visit Omaha Beach and the D-Day Landing Museums
Omaha Beach—probably the most iconic D-Day landing spot—draws you in with its sheer scale and the stories it holds from June 6, 1944. The sand stretches on and on, giving you a real sense of what those first moments must’ve been like.
You can walk where American troops landed 81 years ago. The landscape hasn’t changed much, so it feels authentic and a bit haunting, honestly.
The American Cemetery overlooks the beach, with 9,387 graves marked by white crosses and Stars of David. It’s quiet, a little overwhelming, but worth it.
Several museums nearby dig deep into the D-Day operations. The Bayeux Museum covers the entire Battle of Normandy, laying out events day by day from June 7 to August 29, 1944.
Getting around takes some planning. Rental cars work best for accessing all D-Day sites.
There are multiple commemorative sites and monuments in the area, so you can easily spend a whole day piecing together the history.
2) Explore the medieval town of Bayeux and its famous tapestry
Bayeux is one of those towns that somehow dodged disaster—surviving WWII bombings and centuries of upheaval. Walking its cobbled streets, you’ll feel the weight of a thousand years under your feet.
Don’t miss the Bayeux Tapestry. It’s 68 meters long and tells the story of William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion of England. You’ll need about 45 minutes to take it all in at the museum.
It’s more fun than you might expect—medieval artists tossed in wild details like Halley’s Comet and battle scenes that almost read like a comic strip.
The old town wraps around the Notre-Dame Cathedral, with half-timbered houses and narrow lanes dotted with shops and cafes.
Give yourself two or three hours for the tapestry and cathedral. Bayeux also makes a solid base for visiting D-Day beaches, which are just a quick drive away.
There’s paid parking near the tapestry museum. If you want to dodge the crowds, go early or late in the day.
3) Take a boat trip to Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel boat tours are a game-changer. Instead of the usual crowded walkways, you get sweeping views of the abbey rising out of the bay, and local guides bring its 1,300-year story to life.
Operators run scenic boat tours around Mont Saint-Michel’s bay all summer. Most trips last 45 minutes to an hour.
Boats leave from coastal towns like Cancale and Granville. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, dolphins, and seabirds as you cross the shifting waters.
Tides here are wild—sometimes the water drops or rises by up to 15 meters—so departure times change every day.
Walking tours to Tombelaine Island are another option when the tide’s out. These guided walks take you across the bay’s sandflats.
Definitely book ahead in July, since it’s peak season. Weather can mess with schedules, so double-check your tour the morning of.
4) Attend a local food fair featuring Normandy’s cheeses and cider
Summer food fairs in Normandy are basically cheese and cider heaven. You’ll find tables piled with Camembert, Pont-l’Évêque, and Livarot, and plenty of bubbly hard cider to wash it all down.
Cheese tasting workshops are often led by locals who know their stuff. Pairings with regional ciders help you see why these combos are such a big deal here.
Many fairs show off old-school cheese-making, too. Watching the process up close explains why Norman dairy is so famous.
Expect to pay €5-15 for tastings. Most events run from 10 AM to 6 PM on July weekends.
Food festivals around Normandy also serve up things like andouille sausage and teurgoule rice pudding. Vendors sell plenty to take home, so bring a tote.
Watch for signs saying “Foire aux Fromages” or “Marché Gourmand” in different towns—they rotate locations, so you’ve got multiple chances to catch one.
5) Walk along the cliffs of Étretat for stunning coastal views
The chalk cliffs of Étretat shoot up from the Channel, all white and jagged, with dark streaks of flint running through them. It’s a view that’s hard to forget.
You can follow marked hiking trails along the cliff tops for epic sea views. There are plenty of spots to snap photos of the famous rock arches that inspired Monet and other artists.
Paid parking is the norm, so plan ahead. Summer crowds get thick, so early or late in the day is best.
The path links up with the larger Alabaster Coast trail if you want to keep going. Take your time, soak it all in.
Wear sturdy shoes—the terrain can get rough. Weather shifts fast here, so pack a layer or two and check the forecast.
6) Join a guided WWII history tour in Caen
Caen is the jumping-off point for Normandy’s best WWII history tours. It’s a good place to start if you want to see D-Day sites and get the bigger picture of the war.
Most tours mix the Memorial de Caen museum with visits to actual battlefields. You’ll explore the museum on your own, tracing history from WWI through the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Guides then take you to Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery. They share stories and context that really bring these places to life.
Full-day tours run about 8-9 hours, including museum time. Lunch is often at a local spot like Les Pommiers.
Tours from Caen are well-organized and stick to the most important events and sites.
Book ahead—summer spots fill up fast.
7) Discover the Norman countryside through scenic nature walks
Normandy’s got more than 3,000 kilometers of marked trails winding through all kinds of landscapes. The Grande Randonnée network ties together coastal paths, forests, and farmland.
Walk the bocage countryside, where ancient hedgerows split up the green fields. These old farming areas make for peaceful, shady walks and plenty of wildlife.
The Lisieux Normandie area alone has 600 kilometers of trails for all fitness levels. Markers lead you through apple orchards, stone farmhouses, and quiet lanes.
Some walks mix countryside with cliff sections, so you get a bit of everything in one go.
Terrain ranges from gentle hills to steeper wooded paths. Trails are usually in good shape and marked well, so you can go it alone without too much stress.
Villages along the way offer places to rest and get a feel for rural life. You’ll pass old churches, farmhouses, and maybe even stumble on a small market.
8) Experience a painting workshop inspired by Normandy landscapes
Normandy’s scenery has inspired artists for centuries, so it’s no wonder painting workshops are a thing here. You get dramatic coasts, rolling fields, and villages that look like they’re straight out of a storybook.
A handful of painting workshops run in Normandy during summer. Most focus on plein air (outdoor) painting, so you’re right where Monet and others set up their easels.
The Alabaster Coast is especially popular. You can paint like Monet on the cliffs and try to catch the shifting light on those bright chalk faces.
Workshops range from single days to week-long retreats. Some include stays in old chateaux or countryside inns—art and local culture rolled together.
Most provide materials and English-speaking instructors. Local artists often lead, sharing their take on regional painting styles and the area’s history.
9) Visit the maritime museum in Le Havre
The Maison de l’armateur maritime museum sits inside an 18th-century shipowner’s house in Le Havre’s center. You’ll wander through rooms that show how wealthy merchants lived back when the port was booming.
The museum’s packed with maritime artifacts from Le Havre’s shipping heyday. There’s period furniture, old trading papers—little glimpses into the business side of things.
You can check out the building’s original layout and learn about the families who ran trade from here. The exhibits tie Le Havre’s past to its current spot as France’s second-biggest port.
Plan for about 90 minutes. It’s right in the historic center, so you can pair it with other sights in the UNESCO-listed downtown.
Displays include English panels. The museum’s open Tuesday to Sunday, with shorter hours on Mondays in summer.
10) Shop at the weekend flea markets in Rouen
Rouen’s weekend flea markets are a treat if you love hunting for treasures. You’ll see everything from vintage postcards to old furniture spread out over cobbled squares.
The main market runs Saturday mornings at Place Saint-Marc, 8 AM to 2 PM. Vendors show up early, so if you want first pick, do the same.
Normandy’s antique fairs draw both serious collectors and casual browsers. You can haggle, but don’t expect huge bargains on the really good stuff.
Keep an eye out for Normandy pottery, old maps, and wartime keepsakes—lots of items tie back to the region’s story.
Bring cash—small bills are best. Most stalls don’t take cards, and exact change helps with deals.
The vintage flea markets in Normandy are a window into local life. You’ll hear French chatter, see how locals spend their weekends, and maybe spot something totally unexpected.
Two hours is plenty for browsing. The market isn’t massive, but the good stuff takes time to find.
Essential Travel Tips for Exploring Normandy in July
July in Normandy means warm days and lots of visitors, so it pays to prep a bit. Pack layers for those unpredictable coastal breezes, get familiar with local transport, and try to pick up a few local customs. It’ll make your trip smoother—and probably more fun.
What to Pack for Normandy’s Summer Weather
July in Normandy usually means temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). The weather can change in a heartbeat, especially along the coast, where it’s breezier and cooler than inland.
Essential clothing items:
- Light waterproof jacket or windbreaker
- Comfortable walking shoes with decent grip
- Layers—think long sleeves and shorts you can mix and match
- Sun hat and sunglasses
It rains about 12 days in July, so toss in a compact umbrella. If you’re heading to the beach, bring swimwear, though keep in mind the sea hovers around a brisk 64°F (18°C).
Don’t forget sunscreen—D-Day beaches and the countryside don’t offer much shade, especially when you’re out midday.
Navigating Regional Transportation
Getting around Normandy’s main sites by public transport takes some planning. Trains connect Bayeux, Caen, and Rouen with Paris in about 2-3 hours.
Transportation options:
- Train: SNCF runs regular services to main towns
- Bus: The Nomad network covers rural spots and beaches
- Car rental: Gives you the freedom to reach out-of-the-way places
Visiting Normandy requires careful transportation planning according to folks who’ve done it before. July is busy, so if you want a rental car, book it early.
At popular D-Day sites like Omaha Beach, parking fills up fast. Try to arrive before 10 AM or after 4 PM for a better shot at a spot.
Local Customs and Etiquette
Normans put a lot of value on politeness. Always say “Bonjour” when you walk into a shop and “Au revoir” when you leave—even at tourist sites.
Cultural considerations:
- Dress modestly in churches and cathedrals
- Keep your voice down in restaurants
- Tip 5-10% if you’re happy with the service
- Picking up a few basic French phrases goes a long way
Many locals speak some English, but they genuinely appreciate any effort in French. “Excuse me” is “Excusez-moi,” and “Thank you” is “Merci.”
Lunch usually lands between 12-2 PM, and a lot of shops close up during that time. Dinner service gets going at 7 PM, which is a bit earlier than in some other parts of France. In July, restaurants fill up, so making a reservation isn’t a bad idea.
Enhance Your Normandy Experience
July’s warmth is perfect for sipping local cider or wandering outdoor markets. Summer festivals pop up everywhere, giving you a real taste of Norman culture. If you treat the historical sites and local communities with respect, you’ll help keep these experiences genuine for the next wave of visitors.
Seasonal Food and Drink to Try
Calvados is especially tasty in July, after mellowing through spring. Local distilleries usually open for tastings from 2-5 PM, and staff are happy to walk you through the double-distillation process.
Fresh seafood rolls into coastal markets daily. On Wednesday mornings, Bayeux’s market is packed with moules de bouchot (those famous rope-grown mussels) and Saint-Pierre fish, often caught just hours earlier.
In July, Pont-l’Évêque cheese takes on its signature orange rind, thanks to the summer heat. Fromageries in Livarot sell wheels aged 4-6 weeks, which is just about perfect for texture.
Pommeau de Normandie is a lighter, sweeter alternative to Calvados. This apple aperitif really hits the spot during a lazy afternoon visit to Normandy’s historic sites.
You’ll spot Teurgoule, a cinnamon rice pudding, on summer dessert menus. Local bakeries usually bake it fresh on Tuesdays and Fridays—worth hunting down if you’re around.
Cultural Festivals and Events
Festival de Folklore International runs July 21-24 in Verneuil-sur-Avre. You’ll catch traditional Norman dances and international groups performing nightly from 7-10 PM.
Bayeux Medieval Festival goes through July 26, featuring blacksmith demos and archery contests. Entry is €12 for adults, and kids under 12 get in free.
Les Musicales de Normandie brings classical concerts to abbeys. Saint-Wandrille Abbey hosts performances July 23 and 25 at 8 PM.
Honfleur and Deauville both hold night markets on Thursday evenings, where vendors sell handmade crafts and regional treats until 11 PM.
Guided moonlight tours of the D-Day beaches happen July 22 and 24, starting at 9:30 PM from Arromanches. These 90-minute walks cost €15 per person.
Responsible Tourism Practices
Book accommodations at locally-owned guesthouses instead of big international chains. Plenty of B&Bs even give part of their earnings to help keep memorials in good shape.
Use public transport or hop on a bike for short trips. Regional buses actually run between the main sites every half hour in the summer—pretty convenient, honestly.
Respect memorial sites—keep quiet, and stick to any photography rules. Some families still come by the American Cemetery every week to visit graves, so it’s not just a tourist spot.
Shop at local markets rather than supermarkets. When you buy from Norman farmers, you’re helping folks who still stick to old-school ways of growing food. It feels right, doesn’t it?
Learn a few basic French phrases before you go. Even just “Bonjour” or “merci” shows you care about their culture, especially if you’re wandering through smaller villages.
Stay on marked paths at spots like Étretat’s cliffs. Erosion’s already a problem for these natural formations—they’re a huge part of what makes the Norman coastline special, so let’s not make things worse.
Annual D-Day Anniversary Events
D-Day Commemorations
D-Day Overseas: Memorials and Museums Around the World
Digital D-Day: Discovering History Through Technology
Free Overlord Routes and Map
List of Normandy Cemeteries
Normandy, France Travel Guide: Discover the Charming Coastal Region
Normandy’s D-Day Historic Towns
Preserving D-Day History
Relics & Reminders: Traces of Operation Overlord in Normandy
Where to Stay in Normandy, France – Best Hotels, BnBs, Vacation Homes, and More!
