Normandy
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums
Reasons to Visit Normandy
Interesting Things to Know About Normandy
Normandy has a rich monastic heritage, with numerous abbeys and monasteries across the region. These religious institutions played a significant role in medieval Normandy, fostering art, education, and spirituality. Many of these abbeys feature stunning architecture in picturesque settings, offering visitors a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural history of the region.
William the Conqueror, born in Normandy, led the Norman invasion of England. Following his success in the Battle of Hastings, and despite some attempts at resistance, William was crowned king of England on 25 December 1066 in Westminster Abbey. This event is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, more correctly an embroidery, which can be seen in the city of Bayeux.
Normandy has deep Viking roots, as it was once known as ‘Norman land’ or ‘Land of the Northmen’. In the 9th and 10th centuries, Viking invaders settled in the region, and after much destructing assimilated with the local population. This fusion of Viking and Frankish cultures laid the foundation for the Norman identity that would shape both Normandy and England – as a consequence of the Norman Invasion.
Find Places to Visit in Normandy
Off the Beaten Track in Normandy
Aumale
Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
Five Popular Attractions in Normandy
Bayeux Tapestry
D-Day Beaches
Mont Saint Michel
Monet’s House & Garden
Rouen Cathedral
Explore Normandy more deeply
Historic Cities in Normandy
Bayeux
Caen
Dieppe
Le Havre
Rouen
What to See in Normandy
Roman Sites & Museums
Normandy may not be the first choice of regions to visit in France for Roman ruins. But this part of northern France should certainly not be overlooked. Many larger towns that have been occupied since the Gallo-Roman era still have a few remnants to see, usually ramparts. But it is in the museums in these towns where one finds artefacts recovered from rescue excavations. In the smaller, less populated villages are the more substantial surviving sites to visit.
Castles & Fortresses
Monasteries & Abbeys
World War II Sites & Memorials
Museums & Art Galleries
Normandy has a number of world class museums and art galleries. Not only in the culturally vibrant cities, but also the smaller towns. Museums and galleries that reflect the breadth of the region’s history and range cultural heritage. From the earliest Stone Age inhabitants to the thriving contemporary art scene. And forget about dusty glass cabinets filled with curious objects. Normandy’s museums have some of the most exciting use of multimedia to tell the region’s many and varied stories.