Normandy is one of the most beautiful regions in France with must-sees including the stunning cliffs of Etretat, historic D-Day beaches and charming, fairy tale like towns of Honfleur, Deauville and Bayeux. The regional cuisine is also fantastic with local superstars including Camembert cheese, Cider and Tarte Normande.
Plan on spending at least two days, ideally three traveling around the region! You can also add an extra day to explore the lovely Giverny.
We’ve put together the ultimate INSIDR guide to help you decide what to visit, where to stay, what to do and things to eat while visiting Normandy.
Etretat Aval cliff rocks and natural arch landmark and blue ocean. Aerial view. Normandy France Europe.
INSIDR Normandy must see guide
INSIDR Guide to the main sights in Normandy
INSIDR practical travel tips for Normandy
Visiting the D-Day Beaches in Normandy
The historic D-Day beaches should definitely be on your list of things to do while visiting Normandy. There are multiple options for touring the landing beaches. Organized day trips from Paris are a great option if you’re short on time, or don’t feel like driving. Guided tours are also available from multiple cities in Normandy. Tours range from two hours to a full day. Expert local guides provide information on the historical events that took place there and some even have personal anecdotes about World War II.
Calls
Making calls during your time in Normandy is pretty simple. The country code for France is 33. If dialling from a non-French number, simply add the country code before the local number. French cell phone numbers start with 06 or 07 and landlines 01 or 09.
Should you need to contact emergency services during your Normandy travel, dial 15 for medical help, 17 for the police and 18 for the fire department.
SIM Card & Wifi in Normandy
Orange, SFR and Free are three of the main phone and internet providers in France. While in Normandy, we recommend renting or buying a local mobile phone to avoid excessive data and roaming fees. The INSIDR smartphone can also assist you with full high-speed 4G connectivity, a pocket travel Wifi hotspot, including local calls and texts. The best travel essential apps are also installed. Using the INSIDR smartphone, you will also get the most authentic and tailor made travel tips recommended by our local experts.
How to Travel around Normandy
We recommend renting a car for more flexibility and freedom during your trip in Normandy. You’ll be able to spend some time exploring the lovely coast of Normandy. If you’re driving from Paris, we’ve put together a list of our favorite routes to Normandy. However, if you aren’t able to rent a car, the local train and bus networks are quite extensive and can be used to travel around the region. They can be a little difficult to navigate, especially if you don’t speak French. No need to worry, we’ve also put together some tips on how to get around the area.
Post Box in Normandy
The bright yellow French post boxes can be found in all cities and towns in Normandy. If you already have postage, simply drop your letter or postcard in the box. If you need to buy stamps or send a package, head to “La Poste”, the French post office.
Hours can sometimes be a pain, with most offices closed on Sundays and Saturday afternoons. In smaller towns, the post office is often closed between 12 and 2PM for lunch, so make sure to plan accordingly.