Normandy is famous for its D-Day beaches and tasty Camembert cheese, but there’s another side of Normandy that a lot of travelers miss. If you get away from the usual crowded spots, you’ll find peaceful towns filled with history and local charm that feels untouched by the mass tourism. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to go off the map a bit, here are the 7 best hidden gems in Normandy that are totally worth your time.
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1. Pont-Audemer
Medieval streets, stunning canals, and romantic bridges make Pont-Audemer one of the finest hidden gems in Normandy. Lined with half-timbered houses dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, gorgeous architectural marvels, and a charming old tanners’ town, Pont-Audemer has pretty much everything. You could ride down the canals on a gondola, visit the Alfred Canel Museum to explore its science and art galleries, and pop by the church of Saint-Ouen. If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Pont-Audemer, visit the Marais Vernier, the largest peat bog in France, and a natural amphitheater. And if there’s one activity in France that never misses, especially in the countless hidden gems in Normandy, it’s trying out the local cuisine. You’ll find several street vendors lining up their carts every evening, so don’t forget to peek outside your hotel to catch a whiff of those mouth-watering delights.
2. Beaumont-en-Auge
Named the village of 400 souls, Beaumont-en-Auge lies in Calvados, Normandy, and serves as one of the most beautiful destinations in France. This hidden gem in Normandy has a tragic past; it has seen its fair share of invasions and battles, so you’ll find many historical destinations still sharing the tale. The Saint-Sauveur church is a stunning historical monument worth visiting, and it makes you realize how wonderful medieval architecture is. If you’re looking for adventure that lets you connect with Mother Nature, why not try the easy hike up to the popular 7 hills? You can even make a whole day out of this hiking trip; just keep following the trail, and you’ll come across some of the most captivating scenery you’ll have ever seen. And even if that doesn’t fill your cup, and you’re still looking for something unique, visit Après la Pluie, Europe’s last kaleidoscope manufacturer.
3. Falaise
You’ll find quite a few hidden gems in Normandy, but nothing beats the allure of Falaise. Known as the birthplace of William the Conqueror, this historic town also played a key role in World War II during the Battle of the Falaise Pocket. Visit the impressive Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant to step inside medieval history, then take a short drive into Swiss Normandy to explore nearby gems like Pont-d’Ouilly and the dramatic cliffs of the Rock of Oëtre. Honestly, it’s just one of those destinations where you’ll feel like you’re being duped by words, until you finally take a step and realize all this praise has been true to the core.
4. Evreux
If there’s one hidden gem in Normandy that’s just begging for a history buff’s attention, it’s Evreux. You’ll notice that most hidden gems in Normandy boast lush greenery, but Evreux is slightly different because it’s lined with historical and architectural masterpieces that make even Picasso’s paintings look bleak. We’re talking destinations like the Evreux Museum, home to art pieces collected from all over the world, across different centuries. There’s also the Theatre Legendre, which still hosts shows. If you’re not up for a historical visit, enjoy the mellow vibes in Rock in Evreux, a popular music festival.
5. Villedieu-les-Poêles
Home to the Cornille Harvard Bell Foundry, Villedieu-les-Poêles is one of the most interesting hidden gems in Normandy. You’ll find that this destination still retains characteristics from back when it was a copper-producing town; even today, it is home to shops that explain why Villedieu-les-Poêles is called the “Ville et Métiers d’Art”. Another intriguing fact about Villedieu-les-Poêles is its strength in the face of calamity; while several destinations in Normandy experienced destruction at the hands of the war, many architectural destinations in Villedieu-les-Poêles remained untouched. This is why you’ll get an insight into true French architecture, and how many hidden gems in Normandy are still holding such gorgeous destinations. If you’re in town, don’t forget to head up to the local market; you’ll try spices and foods that will truly blow your mind away.
6. Honfleur
Tucked along the Normandy coast, Honfleur is a charming harbor town known for its multi-colored half-timbered houses that provide the perfect contrast against the deep, blue water. If you think we’re just painting a picture by spinning around words, just wait till you land in Honfleur and realize just how stunning this destination really is. What makes Honfleur one of the best hidden gems in Normandy is its aesthetic; its postcard-worthy views even inspired artists like Monet. Honfleur doesn’t have a direct train line. To reach Honfleur, you’d typically take a train from Paris to Deauville or Le Havre, then a bus to Honfleur. The total travel time is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
7. Saint-Lô
Saint-Lo is an embellished town lying in the heart of the Cotentin region in Normandy. Saint-Lo is one of many French towns that suffered a heavy blow during the Second World War, but when you step there, you’ll realize that it truly rose from the ashes. Indeed, Saint-Lo has a pretty depressing history, but when you take a look at its lush greenery and colorful flowers lining almost every public place, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a chunk of heaven. If we’re talking heavenly destinations, you can’t miss Les Roches de Ham, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Saint-Lo. Here, you can explore the greenery with wonderful hikes, and even stop by the local eateries to take delight in the delicious cuisine. If you’d rather cycle than hike, you’ll find a beautiful chunk of the Velomaritime route. Oh, and if you can’t help but take a step back into history, don’t forget to visit the Castle of Saint-Lo.
Video Guide: 7 Hidden Gems in Normandy, France (Coming Soon)
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Normandy, France
To make planning your trip to Normandy, France easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do below.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuroRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Normandy, France?
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