Normandy is, without a doubt, one of France's most underrated regions. Paris, the French Riviera, and many others often catch people's attention because of how beautiful, nostalgic, and novel they are. But here in Normandy, not only is the area breathtaking, but it's also packed with history and is a stunning paradise altogether. And that's not all of what the region is! Normandy is also made up of wonderful cities, each more charming than the next. After the more popular tourist-friendly cities like Paris, Cannes, Lille, and more, you ought to visit this area's cities too!
Bagnoles
If you think that Paris is the only city that has still retained
its 1920s charm, think again. The city of Bagnoles in Normandy also has its fair share of decades-old hotspots, all exhibiting their beautiful Art Deco style. Manors and mansions that can pass as Jay Gatsby's home, cafés tha never lost their vintage vibe for decades, and more. Moreover, this city is also a well-known spa town in the region. The hydrotherapeutic baths here are definitely worth the trip to get here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Bayeux
The arts are very special to France. For centuries, its been a central part of the country's history and heritage, from
the capital's famous museums to the
arts & crafts you see in various countryside cities. And the latter is what makes Bayeux, a beautiful town in Normandy, worth visiting. A healthy mix of history and art, this city offers a nice look into the region's past. As well as the artistic talent of those who live here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Caen
The city of Caen in Normandy is the type of storybook-like town in rural France that you just dream of visiting someday. In fact, actually visiting this place is like a dream of itself. It's so charming and looks so much like it's from a fairytale that you almost can't believe it's an actual city. Wooden half-timbered cottages, cobblestone streets, and a breathtaking castle (that belonged to William the Conquerer) make up most of the stunning aesthetic here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Camembert
You may have heard of Camembert because of its cheese—it is one of the tastiest French cheeses out there, after all!—but there's more to see and explore about this city in Normandy than this delicacy. Very similar to Caen, this city is very much has a storybook look to it, almost feeling as if it never caught up with the 21st-century. But don't worry! Your
French SIM card will still work here! Camembert, despite its vintage charms, is still a central city to the region of Normandy.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Domfront
Peace! This is, perhaps, the number one reason people visit and inevitably enjoy spending time in the city of Domfront in Normandy. It looks pretty much like the other towns in the region—fairytale-like that's full of half-timbered houses and even a castle on a hill—but with only a population of fewer than 4,000 people, it's not as busy and bustling here as it is in Paris, Cannes, and other French cities. It's still a bustling town, don't get it twisted, but it's not as noisy and overwhelming as the others!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Giverny
Most people go to Giverny just to visit
Claude Monet's home but they stay because of the botanical bliss that's really out of this world. Or rather, proof that this world really is as beautiful as a Monet painting. A charming commune in the region of Normandy, Giverny is the type of countryside town in France that you've probably ready is storybooks or seen in documentaries. Its beauty is unrivaled—not even Paris can match it! And that's saying something!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Evreux
A massive cathedral at the center of the town, a serene canal that surrounds the city, and willow trees sprinkled throughout the area. Just by these parts alone, you'd think that this was a setting of a
classic French novel or something! But it's not fiction! These are exactly what you'll see in the city of Evreux in Normandy. Though it's most known for the cathedral of Our Lady of Evreux, the entire commune is as picturesque as a postcard.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Le Havre
The biggest city in Normandy, Le Havre is one of those cities that's the closest you can get for a rural version of Paris. It's by no means just as busy or as big as the French capital, but it does have its fair share of museums worth checking out.
Musée des Beaux-Arts,
Musée du Vieux Havre, and more are some of the must-visit attractions in this commune. They can never compare to the likes of the
Louvre, of course, but they're good enough for galleries in the French countryside.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lisieux
It's no secret that France is a predominantly Roman Catholic country. And you'll see it in cities like Lisieux in Normandy. With so many places devoted to Catholicism, it's almost as if it's a little slice of the Vatican within the French countryside. However, for those who are not part of the Catholic faith, they'll likely enjoy the region's dishes and delicacies instead. From its scrumptious seafood to the apple cider or Camembert cheese, there's a lot of tantalizing tastes to enjoy here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Rouen
Lining up the River Seine, you probably know the city of Rouen in Normandy as the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. But the commune itself, especially today, goes beyond this significant event in French and Catholic history. For one thing, it's become an artist's city itself, becoming the home of painters, sculptors, writers, and more. There's even a museum dedicated to one of France's most prolific novelists, Gustave Flaubert.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Normandy is more than just D-Day and other historic events in the French region. The cities here have their own charms, quirks, highlights, and more that will charm the pants off of those lucky enough to get to live or even relocate to this part of France.
If you do get lucky to move here, you'd do well in choosing a
luxury rental to call home here! There's a lot on offer in this region!
