About
Historic region in northwestern France famous for the D-Day Allied landings during World War II and known for its distinctive architecture, apple orchards, and Calvados brandy.
Normandy is a historic region in northwestern France, on the English Channel. It is best known as the place where the Allied landings of D-Day took place during the Second World War, and many visitors come to trace that story along its beaches and memorials. The region also has a character of its own, shaped by its architecture, its farmland and its drinks.
What a visit offers
- Wartime history: the coastline where the D-Day landings were made gives the region its most widely known connection to the past.
- Distinctive architecture: Normandy's towns and buildings have a recognisable style that rewards a slow walk through them.
- Apple orchards: the countryside is dotted with orchards, a landscape that is part of everyday life here.
- Calvados: the region's apple brandy is a local speciality, and it is a natural thing to sample while you are here.
Planning your trip
Normandy suits a visit built around history, scenery and food and drink, and it can be explored in a few days or over a longer stay. Because the region is large and the sites are spread out, it helps to choose a base and plan which parts of the coast and countryside you want to see. Travelling between places is easiest by car, though the main towns are connected by road and rail.
