Normandy

Old Dock

Built in 1681, the dock is surrounded by narrow 16th-18th century houses. The ones on St. Catherine’s quay are the most unusual – they each have two ground floors and thus, two landowners. At one end of the dock is the Lieutenancy, the 17th century residence of the king’s representative and the only remnant of an ancient rampart.

The Church of Sainte-Catherine

Rue des Logettes, Honfleur

Built by shipwrights (some say in honor of the 1453 French victory over the English), this is the largest wooden church with a separate bell tower in France. The bell tower dates from the end of the 15th century and is now a museum of religious art.

Eugene Boudin Museum

Place Erik Satie
+33 (2) 31 89 54 00
Open daily from 10am-12am and 2pm-6pm (Oct 1- Mar 14 2:30-5:30pm)
Closed Tues, and Jan 1, May 1, Jul 14 and Dec 25
Audio guide/guided visit upon request.

This museum, named after Honfleur’s most famous painter, features works by Boudin, Monet, Dubourg, Dufy and other great artists who lived and worked in the area. Also on display are traditional Norman headdresses, costumes and furniture.

Museum of Ethnography and Popular Normal Art

Rue de la Prison
+33 (2) 31 89 14 12
Group tours only; tours leave from the Maritime Museum
Tours 10:55am and 3pm weekends year round, daily (except Friday) July 1-Sept 15

Housed in a 16th-century manor, this museum consists of 9 rooms reconstructed to show how the people of Honfleur lived in earlier times. The former prisons are also available for viewing.

Maritime Museum

St-Etienne/Musée de la Marine
Quai St Etienne F-14600 Honfleur
+33 (2) 31 89 14 12
Open daily 10:30am-12:30pm and 2:30-6pm; closed Jan 1 - Feb 15

The 14th-century Church of St.-Etienne now contains this museum, featuring an interesting collection of model ships, engravings and other maritime artifacts.

Le Pont de Normandie

Completed in 1995, this technical marvel greatly reduces the distance between La Havre City and Honfleur.

La Ferme Saint-Simeon

Rue Adolphe-Marais 14600 Honfleur
Tel: +33 (2) 31 81 7800
Fax: +33 (2) 31 89 48 48

Located about a 10-minute walk from town, this civilized landmark hotel is nestled in the hillside above the estuary. In the 19th century, it was the home of the Honfleur School of artists who founded Impressionism. Book spa appointments ahead of time.

Men’s Abbey

Esplanade Jean-Marie-Louvel, Caen 14035
Open daily (except during services) 8:30am-12.30pm and 1:30pm-7:30pm (2:30pm-7:30 Sun and public holidays)
Guided tours daily, 9:30am, 11am, 2:30pm and 4pm (No tours Dec 25, Jan 1 and May 1)

This architectural gem was founded by William the Conqueror in 1063, and houses his tomb. The Romanesque abbey church features iconic twin spires – the choir was the first built in Norman Gothic style. The monastery buildings are decorated with superb oak paneling, wrought iron, and 17th-19th century paintings.

Ladies’ Abbey

14000 Caen
Open daily 2pm-5:30pm
Guided tours daily, 2:30pm and 4pm (No tours Dec 25, Jan 1 and May 1)

Founded by Mathilda, wife of William the Conqueror, this elegant abbey was beautifully restored in the 1980s. The vaulted Romanesque church houses Mathilda’s tomb.

Château de Caen

Allée du Chat Qui Veille, 14000 Caen
Guided tours Jul-Aug; tours leave from Gate of Château Saint Pierre
Free admission year round

Built around 1060, this building is one of the largest fortified structures in Europe. Today it houses the Museum of Fine Art, Museum of Normandy and St. Georges Church. The ramparts offer fine views of Caen.

Musée du Débarquement

Place du 6 Juin 194414117 Arromanches-les-Bains

For the invasion, a temporary artificial harbor was created in order to offload cargo. This museum explains how the formidable technical challenge of the Arromanches harbor was managed.

Juno Beach Center

14470 Courseulles sur Mer

Located on the site where the Canadian forces landed on D-Day, this museum and cultural center is highlights the Canadian war effort.

Grand Bunker Atlantic Wall Museum

Located inside the former German stronghold of Ouistreham, the Atlantic Wall has been restored to the way it was on D-Day.

Longues-sur-Mer

Part of the original Atlantic wall, this battery between Gold and Omaha beaches is the only one in Normandy where cannons remain.

Pointe du Hoc

Bunkers, guns and shelters still stand here, remnants of some of the Battle of Normandy’s most intense fighting. A granite monument testifies to the bravery of the American Rangers.

Mémorial Pegasus

Avenue du Major Howard Ranville, 14860

The Pegasus Memorial is dedicated to the men of the British 6th Airborne Division, the first to land on the beaches of Normandy the night of June 5, 1944.

Omaha Beach

The most famous landing site, it was called “Bloody Omaha” because of the terrible losses sustained here. A striking monument was placed at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer on the 60th anniversary of the landing.

American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer

Overlooking Omaha Beach, this vast cemetery contains 9,387 white crosses in perfect lines. A new interpretation center at the entrance explains how small stories formed the history of the D-Day Landings.

German Cemetery at La Cambe

Black Maltese crosses stand in clusters of five over a grassy clearing, where the bodies of 21,300 German soldiers are buried.

Bayeux Tapestry Museum

Centre Guillaume Le Conquérant
Rue de Nesmond
+33 (2) 31 51 25 50
Open daily Mar 15-Nov 15, 9am-6:30pm (7pm May – Aug); Nov 16–Mar 15, 9:30am-12:30pm, 2pm-6pm
Closed Mon Fri, second week in January, Dec 24-26 and Dec 31-Jan 2

Dating back nearly a thousand years, this magnificent embroidered cloth is one of the world’s oldest surviving tapestries. The 230-long embroidery tells the story of the 11th-century conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy. Covered with Viking boats, legendary animals and Norman and Saxon cavalries, it describes the adventures of William and his opponent Harold, Earl of Wessex and pretender to the throne of England.

Casino Barrière

Rue Edmon Blanc BP, 32400 Deauville

This opulent casino, the third largest in France, has a dress code – men may borrow a jacket and tie from reception.

Racecourses

There are two racecourses in the area. Deauville-La Touques, constructed in 1864, is one of the leading flat-racing venues in France. The horses are often seen being exercised on the beach. Nearby Deauville-Clairefontaine is family-friendly, with free pony rides and snacks. It hosts harness racing, thoroughbred flat racing, steeplechase and hurdle races.

Town and Abbey

Free guided tours depart at 10am, 11:30am, 2pm and 4pm
Tourist information: +33 (2) 33 60 14 30

Abbey Church
Mont Saint Michel Abbey
50116 Le Mont Saint Michel
+33 (2) 33 89 80 00
Open May-Sep 9:30-11:30am, 1:30-6pm, Oct-Apr Wed-Mon 9:30am-4:30pm
Closed Jan 1, May 1 and Dec 25
Mass daily at 12:15pm

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this abbey was originally built by Benedictine monks in the 11th century. Since then it has been renovated and added on to, making it an exceptional example of the full range of medieval architecture. In the pre-Roman church of Notre-Dame-sous-Terre, rediscovered in the early 20th century, visitors can see the remains of St. Aubert’s sanctuary. The Abbey, with its vaulted arches, is a fine illustration of Romanesque art. Finally, the Grand Staircase leads to the ornate 17th century monastery known as the Merveille. Those who still have the energy to climb the Lace Staircase to the abbey roof will be rewarded with spectacular coastal views.