Normandy, camping in the land of William the Conqueror

Fécamp en Normandie © IStock

 

Located in the north-west of France and bordered by the English Channel, Normandy is a region with many assets. With an incredible variety of landscapes such as the Suisse Normande with its green meadows and forests, the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and its great biodiversity, the Alabaster coast and its imposing white cliffs... Not forgetting a huge historical and cultural heritage with notably the beaches of the 1944 D-Day landing, the medieval city of Bayeux or the house of Claude Monet, the cities of Rouen and Caen as well as the undeniable charm of Honfleur and Fécamp. Here, campers in search of authenticity and nature will find their happiness and as many campsites to welcome them.

385 campsites in Normandy

The Manche department, with about 130 campsites, is the champion of Normandy, followed closely by Calvados with more than a hundred campsites, then the Seine-Maritime with more than 70. The Orne and Eure regions compete with around forty and thirty sites respectively. As you will have understood, camping is the assurance of finding accommodation in each site you wish to visit. It is also a guarantee of freedom and practicality for your holidays, not forgetting that camping is ideal for children as they can have fun with adapted structures just like their parents who will not fail to enjoy themselves.

Discover all the campsites in Normandy

To discover during your camping holidays in Normandy

Normandy must-sees

Etretat and its impressive cliffs which have inspired many artists such as Maupassant, Monet or Gide in Seine-Maritime, the Mont Saint Michel classified as a Unesco heritage site and a key pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages, the D-Day landing beaches, witness to the importance of the military operations of 6 June 1944 and which have become part of world history, the charm of Honfleur, with its old houses and its pretty port, or the famous Bayeux tapestry dating back to the XIth century and 70 metres long... These prestigious places are among the must-see attractions in Normandy, but they are not the only ones! This region is full of treasures. What about discovering some less touristic but equally prestigious places?

Rouen in Seine-Maritime

A city of art and history that has influenced artists such as Monet, Flaubert and Corneille, Rouen is the historic capital of Normandy and owes part of its fame to the story of Joan of Arc. A city with an important architectural heritage in its historic centre, it flourished in the Middle Ages but attracts visitors today for its ancient charm and its heritage, which can be discovered through its timber-framed houses and charming cobbled streets. Considered a marvel of flamboyant gothic art, the church of Saint-Maclou is an unavoidable building in Rouen. Like the abbey church of Saint Ouen, a Benedictine monastery which was one of the most important in Normandy and which today houses the present town hall. Its stained glass windows on three levels are quite remarkable. One cannot pass through Rouen without admiring the Notre-Dame de Rouen cathedral, which is in the Norman Gothic style and is renowned for the height of its cast iron spire, making it the highest cathedral in France and Europe. The Gros Horloge belfry houses the city's bells and clock, whose mechanism is one of the oldest in Europe. Finally, the stroll to the Place du Vieux-Marché and along the banks of the Seine is a particularly pleasant moment in Rouen.

Barfleur, in the English Channel

Barfleur owes its title of "most beautiful village in France" to the picturesque granite houses built on a spit of land that juts out into the waters of the Cotentin. The charming little fishing port of Barfleur is emblematic of this resort of character and the delivery of fish or shellfish is always a spectacle. The 17th century church of Saint Nicolas, with its stained glass windows and interior filled with works of sacred art, is to be admired. Outside the town, you can visit the Gatteville lighthouse, the second highest lighthouse in Europe, and go up to the tip of Barfleur to admire the view over the Cotentin. For the sporty, a wide range of walks in Barfleur and its surroundings is available to discover the built heritage as well as the natural landscapes. You can also swim in Barfleur thanks to three very pleasant sandy beaches. Something for the whole family!

Fécamp, in Seine-Maritime

The former capital of the Dukes of Normandy, Fécamp, classified as a Town of Art and History and located on the Côte d'Albâtre, is another very attractive seaside resort thanks to its architectural and natural heritage, notably its cliffs and its beach. Several attractive monuments are to be seen such as the Benedictine palace, it is in this site with the astonishing architecture that the Benedictine liqueur is manufactured since more than 100 years. The Gothic abbey church of the Sainte-Trinité and the Musée des Pêcheries located in the port, in a former cod drying plant, are also sites not to be missed in Fécamp. On the heights of the town, hiking enthusiasts will appreciate Cap Fagnet, a natural site with an ornithological reserve, an exceptional panorama of the cliffs of the Côte d'Albâtre, the sea and the town, all from a cliff more than 100 metres high.

Village of Bec-Hellouin, in the Eure

The village of Bec-Hellouin, also known as the "most beautiful village in France", is appreciated for its serenity and calm, its typical old half-timbered houses and its streets full of flowers. The abbey of Notre-Dame du Bec, founded in the Middle Ages by the knight Herluin, is now occupied by Benedictine monks whose production of handmade ceramics contributes to the village's popularity. The abbey has preserved the architectural evidence of its past, such as the Saint-Nicolas tower, which served as a bell tower in the 15th century, the cloister and its Gothic door, the conventual buildings and the Church of Saint-André, built in 1039... a place not to be missed.

Cabourd, in Calvados

Ideal for a pleasant family holiday, Cabourg is the gentle way of life and the benefits of the sea just two hours from Paris! You will be seduced by the Belle Époque charm of its dazzling architecture, such as that of the Grand Hôtel, a listed historic monument which Proust used to visit and which inspired him to write À la recherche du temps perdu. You can enjoy long walks along the promenade overlooking the sea, one of the longest in Europe, or discover the Casino gardens, the Rose Garden and the Nylic Square. Cabourg is also a romantic town, perfect for a romantic weekend, where every year a film festival is organised, and where scenes from films such as Intouchables, Le cœur des hommes and La Boum were shot. Finally, you should know that Cabourg has been awarded the "Famille Plus" label and is therefore committed to welcoming families with quality services as well as numerous activities such as beach clubs, horse-riding, go-karting, pastry workshops, guided tours for children, the little tourist train... And many more.