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Things to do in Normandy

Known for its stunning coastline, rustic landscapes, and rich culture and heritage, Normandy is the perfect destination if you are looking for a diverse trip and a great self-drive holiday option.

With lots of links to World War II, plenty of well-known towns to explore, and some popular landmarks to discover, there’s a whole range of things to do in Normandy no matter what you enjoy doing during your time away.

You can reach the area that Normandy covers in around two hours from the port in Calais via the beautiful city of Le Mans, so when you take your car to France you can start your adventure in no time at all and go to all the places to visit in Normandy straight away.

 
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Things to do in Normandy

Drive Along the Alabaster Coast

One of the best places to visit  in Normandy involves taking a drive along the Alabaster Coast, as this 80 mile long stretch offers the chance to view some stunning scenery, and will take you through great towns and villages too.

Lovely Étretat is famous for its rock formations, including arches and the Needle which have been formed over time by erosion, and views across the English Channel. As one of the prettiest places in Normandy It was also a popular subject among the Impressionists so has been included in many different works of art over the years.

Add a bit of luxury to your drive with a trip to Deauville, as this fashionable seaside resort is home to amazing architecture, sea bathing facilities, an equestrian centre, a casino, horse racing and polo events, and a number of elegant hotels, boutiques and eateries too. As one of the best places to see in Normandy,  you could also choose to visit Dieppe where you can see the Château de Dieppe which sits on the cliff overlooking the beach, or simply watch a variety of boats and ships head into the town’s four ports.

Places to go in Normandy - Visit Bayeux

One of the top places to visit  in Normandy is  10km inland from the coast and you will find the fascinating town of Bayeux where you can wander its cobbled streets and discover all of the great things to do there.

Mostly famous for the Bayeux Tapestry, a 70 metre long and 50cm wide wall-hanging showing the events leading up to William the Conqueror seizing England in 1066, Bayeux also has its own Notre-Dame Cathedral which was consecrated in 1077 and was the original home of the tapestry before it was moved. Here the tapestry is a worldwide attraction for all visitors making it one of the most famous places in Normandy.

Once you have taken in some of Bayeux’s history, discover the town from a different perspective with a walk or bike ride along the River Aure. A trip along the trail will give you the opportunity to see old restored mills and wash houses from years gone by. Here a bike ride along the river can be a fun thing to do in Normandy with families. At P&O Ferries we like to make sure all our passengers can enjoy their trips away. That's why we make it even easier to travel with bicycles and also provide endless onboard kid’s entertainment so no child will ever get bored on our Dover to Calais ferry.

Places to see in Normandy - Normandy’s Wartime History

Many visitors use their holiday to do and see all the things in Normandy relating to the war  to learn all about the monumental D-Day landings. During these  tours of Normandy's beaches, visitors can view the beautiful coastline and one of the prettiest places in Normandy whilst learning about the dramatic events of the largest seaborne invasion in history which are vividly brought to life by expert guides.

You can discover even more about this era by visiting the Mémorial de Caen, a war museum and memorial covering historical events between the end of World War I to the end of the Cold War, located in the historical city of Caen. This is a must see place in Normandy to allow you to fully immerse yourself in Normandy’s history and culture and also a great thing to do in Normandy with kids as the experts truly make interactive as well as informative.

Must see places in Normandy - Mont-Saint-Michel

A trip to Normandy is not complete without setting your eyes on Mont-Saint-Michel, an ancient UNESCO World Heritage site set on a granite island. This 8th century monastery is one of France’s most recognisable landmarks and can be spotted from miles around, making it the most famous place in Normandy, so you won’t be able to miss it!

Although the mount has been of religious importance since 708, the abbey was not built until the 10th century and has been a place of pilgrimage ever since. To get to the top you will need to walk up the steep, winding street which is now lined with shops, restaurants and museums, but you will be rewarded with amazing views to see the prettiest places in Normandy and beyond when you reach the end.

Explore the fascinating town of Bayeux, where you can wander the cobbled streets and discover its history

Häufig gestellte Fragen: Minikreuzfahrt & Kurztrip

 

Wie viel kostet eine Minikreuzfahrt?

Unsere Kurztrips mit der Fähre sind schon ab 65 £ pro Person erhältlich. Der Preis richtet sich danach, wie viele Passagiere die Buchung enthält, welcher Kabinentyp und welcher Buchungszeitraum ausgewählt wird und ob Extras hinzukommen, etwa im Voraus gebuchte Mahlzeiten oder eine Extranacht im Anschluss.

 

Kann ich auf einer P&O-Minikreuzfahrt mein Fahrzeug mit an Bord bringen?

Leider können wir auf unseren Minikreuzfahrten keine Fahrzeuge transportieren. Sie haben jedoch die Möglichkeit, mit unserer Fähre von Hull nach Rotterdam eine direkte Fährverbindung zu buchen.

 

Wie lange ist man auf einer P&O-Minikreuzfahrt unterwegs?

Auf unseren Minikreuzfahrten von England nach Holland verbringen Sie zwei Nächte an Bord und einen Tag in einer niederländischen Stadt Ihrer Wahl. Sie haben bei der Buchung auch die Möglichkeit, Ihr Kurzabenteuer mit P&O Ferries mit einer Extranacht zu verlängern!

 

Was muss ich für eine Minikreuzfahrt mit P&O Ferries einpacken?

Für einen Kurztrip mit der Fähre mit P&O Ferries können Sie alles einpacken, was Sie möchten – bei uns gibt es keine Gepäckbegrenzung. Unsere Fährkabinen bieten sämtliche Annehmlichkeiten für eine entspannte Auszeit an Bord, wie Bettzeug, Handtücher, ein eigenes Bad und Toilettenartikel. Bei einem Upgrade Ihrer Kabine auf eine Club-Kabine, eine Club-Suite oder eine State-Room-Kabine kommen Sie in den Genuss luxuriöser Pflegeprodukte von The White Company.

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