Plan your stayin Normandy
When to go, how to get there and get around, where to stay, tourist offices, tides and practical information: the essentials for planning a stay in Normandy.
Guided tours in Normandy
On foot through old town centres, by little train around the towns, by boat to the islands: compare tours and book online.
Find a tourPlan your stay: your questions
When is the best time to visit Normandy?
It depends on what you want: May for apple blossom, July and August for the beaches, March and September for the spring tides. September extends the summer without the crowds, and autumn opens the scallop season.
How long does the train take from Paris to Normandy?
From Paris-Saint-Lazare, Rouen is 1 hour 13 minutes away on the fastest trains, Caen about 2 hours and Le Havre just over 2 hours. Cherbourg takes a little over 3 hours.
Can I visit Normandy without a car?
Yes for the towns and major sites: Nomad trains link Rouen, Caen, Bayeux, Le Havre, Cherbourg and Granville, and Nomad coaches serve the coast. Inland areas remain poorly served.
When should I book accommodation in Normandy?
Early for July and August, especially on the coast, for the period around 6 June in Calvados and the Manche, for the Deauville American Film Festival in early September and for the Rouen Armada, from 17 to 27 June 2027.
When are the school holidays in Normandy?
Normandy is in zone B. Christmas holidays run from 19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, winter holidays from 20 February to 8 March 2027 and spring holidays from 17 April to 3 May 2027.