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Cruise the Normandy Coast

Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief

Country: France

The Experience

Whether you're stumbling through cobblestone markets or quietly sailing down a country road, heading to the Normandy Coast is a pleasure from the past. Its charming coastal towns like Caen, Arromanches, and Bayeux continue to honour a way of life that is so uncomplicated and wholesome, you'll completely forget about your emails and phone. The elements of the Normandy Coast form a natural tapestry that is sure to mesmerize any lucky enough to wander here. It's lush sprawling farmlands married with soaring cliffs and boundless beaches, is hard to match.

The pastures of the Normandy Coast produce some of the most delectable French delicacies including Camembert cheese, golden pastries, mussels and oysters. Caen city is a great place to jump into the perfect market experience. Visitors are swept up in the hustle and bustle of a fantastical farmers market, with some of the freshest and most savoury finds in all of France. Grab your breakfast as you stroll through the local stalls taste testing cheese, smoked meats, tarts, and breads. Be sure to try the creamy Normandy butter, a must with your baguette.

Navigating your way West through spires and bunkers you'll end up at Arromanches, a quaint coastal town chalked full of charm. Here the mussels are served fresh from the English Channel daily, which you'll be able to see from the window of any local pub. But Arromanches is more than sweet B&B's and warm local charm, it's also the heart of where the Normandy landings took place on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After you fill yourself full of fish, beer and bread, take an after dinner stroll down the beach and investigate the Mulberry harbour. Arromanches is one of two locations that houses these temporary harbours used by the Allies to gain a foothold in France during the Second Word War.

Explore the coast of Normandy and it's historic beaches such as Juno, Utah and Omaha where the Allied Invasion took place during World War Two. Although it feels like only yesterday, the Normandy Coast has reclaimed its beauty while still honouring the past at such places as Colleville Sur Mer, Beny Sure Mer or the Bayeux War Cemetery.

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When to Go to Normandy Coast

Spring time is a prime time to visit the Normandy Coast. During this time of year you can count on the seafood falling straight off the back of the boat and market delicacies that will leave you sighing for more. A trip to Normandy is difficult to top with it's friendly locals, fresh food and hard to resist laissez-faire attitude.

Odds n' Ends

A great approach to tackling the Normandy Coast is taking a rental car and GPS, and heading where the road calls. Do keep in mind though that the road can take you to very quiet and small towns where ATM's may not be abundantly available. Take cash, but most restaurants and hotels in Normandy do take credit.

More Experiences Nearby

Taste the First French Wine of the Year During Beaujolais Nouveau
While wine lovers the world over have different palates and different favourites, France is undoubtedly the most famous wine-producing country, and the Beaujolais is its most famous red wine. On the stroke of midnight on the third Thursday of November each year, Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated by drinking the wine from grapes harvested that summer. Dubbed “Beaujolais Nouveau Day,” parties are held all over France and further afield to celebrate the first wine of the season. There are about 120 Beaujolais Nouveau related festivals held in the Beaujolais region alone, and some bottles from the six-week-old crop are also sent ...85 miles away.

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French , Italian , Lao , Portugese , Spanish , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in France. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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