Are you thinking of travelling this summer? If so, I am here to suggest a less talked about holiday  destination… Normandy! When travelling to France, Paris is usually the most talked about attraction, so much so that we often forget how many other beautiful regions the country has to offer. Last summer I had the chance to stay with a wonderful family in Normandy and they introduced me to the rich history and culture alive in this region.

Here are a few of the places I personally visited and loved:

Le Mont-Saint Michel

Le Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most visited sites in France. This magical island is a must see if in Normandy. When here, you can take a guided tour bare-foot across the bay and feel the tide wash over your feet.

Bayeux

Bayeux is a small town in North-western France home to many historical sites.

Museum of the Battle of Normandy

The Museum of the Battle of Normandy is a great place to visit before seeing the famous World War II related landmarks. It gives a good overview of the events of the Battle of Normandy and the D-Day landings.

D-day landing beaches

Bayeux is situated very close to the 5 D-day Landing beaches, the closest being Gold beach. I visited Omaha beach. Even if you’re not particularly interested in history this is still a great place to visit to learn more about some of the events of World War II.

Tree of Liberty

If you’re in Bayeux in the evening during summer, try to catch a glimpse of the spectacular light show at the monumental Tree of Liberty. This spectacle celebrates France’s journey to freedom and liberty through a series of fascinating lights and projections.

Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux tapestry is certainly one of the most famous tapestries and attracts many tourists from all over the world. This 70 metre long tapestry recounts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England.

Caen

Caen is a small and vibrant city with several shops, boutiques and restaurants. It is particularly known for its associations with William the Conqueror.

Caen Castle

This castle is one of the biggest in Europe and was made by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.

L’abbaye aux hommes

William the conqueror built this abbey in 1063 and it is the current location of his tomb.

I very much enjoyed my trip to Normandy and would definitely recommend it as a location if you are looking for a less ‘mainstream’ experience of French culture and history!

Vivene x