18 LESS TOURISTY THINGS TO DO
Overview Table
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petites & Grandes Dalles | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Hiking + Villages | Self | Free |
| 2 | Biville Dunes | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Hiking | Self | Free |
| 3 | Hatainville | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Hiking | Self | Free |
| 4 | Champ de Bataille Castle | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Castle & Gardens | Self | Paid € |
| 5 | ➡️ Beuvron-en-Auge | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Village | - | - |
| 6 | ➡️ Le Bec-Hellouin | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Village | - | - |
| 7 | ➡️ Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Village | - | - |
| 8 | ➡️ Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Village (Port) | - | - |
| 9 | ➡️ Barfleur | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Village (Port) | - | - |
| 10 | ➡️ Dieppe | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Town (Seaside Resort) | - | - |
| 11 | ➡️ Les Andelys | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Town | - | - |
| 12 | ➡️ Lyons-la-Forêt | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Village | - | - |
| 13 | ➡️ Veules-les-Roses | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Village | - | - |
| 14 | Jumièges Abbey | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Abbey Ruin & Park | Self | Paid € |
| 15 | Hambye Abbey | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Abbey Ruin | Self | Paid € |
| 16 | Rock of Oëtre | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Hiking | Self | Free |
| 17 | Biking Inland | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Biking | Rental | Paid € |
| 18 | ➡️ Lisieux | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Town | - | - |
1. Petites & Grandes Dalles
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Hiking
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
Petites Dalles and Grandes Dalles are twin hamlets nestled along the coast, renowned for the architecture of their villas, stunning white chalk cliffs, and pebbled shores.
2. Bivilles Dunes
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Hiking
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
The Biville Dunes are a natural wonder along the Normandy coast, featuring greenish sand dunes. This protected area is is home to various plant species and scattered with the ruins of old tanks, a reminder of its past as a military training ground.
3. Hatainville
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Hiking
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
Hatainville features a long beach, greenish dunes, and a cliff offering panoramic views of the beach, the dunes and the sea.
4. Champ de Bataille Castle & Gardens
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Castle & Gardens
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Château du Champ de Bataille
This luxurious 17th-century castle with magnificent gardens showcases lavish interiors, extensive art collections, and meticulously designed landscapes.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior & Gardens
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
5. Beuvron-en-Auge Village
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Beuvron-en-Auge is a beautiful village in the heart of the Pays d’Auge, renowned for its well-preserved timber-framed houses and cider production. The village offers a glimpse into traditional Norman life with its charming streets and artisanal shops.
➡️ 3 Things to Do in Beuvron-en-Auge
- Village Itself ✦✦✦✧✧
- Clermont Chapel (3km) ✦✦✧✧✧
- St. Martin Church
6. Le Bec-Hellouin Village
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Le Bec-Hellouin is a tranquil village known for its abbey and well-preserved medieval architecture. The village is surrounded by lush countryside, offering a peaceful retreat.
➡️ 3 Things to Do in Le Bec-Hellouin
- Village Itself ✦✦✧✧✧
- Notre-Dame du Bec Abbey ✦✦✧✧✧
- St. André Church ✦✧✧✧✧
- etc.
7. Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei Village
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is a picturesque village nestled in a loop of the Sarthe River, known for its artistic heritage and scenic beauty.
➡️ 7 Things to Do in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
- Village Itself ✦✦✦✧✧
- Viewpoint ✦✦✧✧✧
- etc.
8. Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue Village (Port)
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Saint Vaast la Hougue is a charming fishing port known for its maritime heritage. The town is famous for its delicious oysters and seafood restaurants. Visitors can hike the scenic harbor and nearby Tatihou Island.
➡️ 6 Things to Do in Saint-Vaast-la -Hougue
- La Hougue Peninsula ✦✦✧✧✧
- Vauban Tower ✦✦✧✧✧
- Marina & Dike ✦✦✧✧✧
- etc.
Tatihou Island
➡️ 5 Things to Do on Tatihou Island
- Crossing at Low Tide ✦✦✦✧✧
- Island Outline Hike ✦✦✦✧✧
- etc.
9. Barfleur Village (Port)
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Barfleur is a quaint fishing village with a picturesque harbor and historic granite houses.
- Marina & Dike ✦✦✦✧✧
- St. Nicolas Church ✦✦✧✧✧
- Church
10. Dieppe Town (Seaside Resort)
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Dieppe is a historic port town known for its maritime heritage and pebble beaches. It also hosts the lively Dieppe Kite Festival every year.
- Ultralight Craft ✦✦✦✦✦
- Food Market ✦✦✦✧✧
- Seafront & Dike + Marina ✦✦✧✧✧
- etc.
11. Les Andelys Town
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Les Andelys is a picturesque town known for the Château Gaillard, perched above the Seine River.
➡️ 7 Things to Do in Les Andelys
- Château Gaillard ✦✦✦✧✧
- Viewpoint ✦✦✦✧✧
- Notre-Dame Church ✦✦✦✧✧
- etc.
12. Lyons-la-Forêt Village
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Lyons-la-Forêt is a charming village surrounded by one of the largest beech forests in Europe. The village boasts beautiful half-timbered houses, a historic market square, and picturesque streets.
➡️ 4 Things to Do in Lyons-la-Forêt
- Village Itself ✦✦✦✧✧
- Lyons Forest ✦✦✧✧✧
- etc.
13. Veules-les-Roses Village
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Veules-les-Roses is a picturesque village. It features charming half-timbered houses, a beach, and the shortest river in France. The village is also known for its artistic and literary heritage.
➡️ 9 Things to Do in Veules-les-Roses
- Village‚ River & Mills ✦✦✧✧✧
- Seafront ✦✦✧✧✧
- etc.
14. Jumièges Abbey
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Abbey Ruin & Park
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Abbaye de Jumièges
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Jumièges
One of the oldest and most impressive abbeys in Normandy. The majestic ruins in beautiful parkland create a serene atmosphere.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
⚙️ Hours & Prices (Official Website – Fr)
(switch to english)
15. Hambye Abbey
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Abbey Ruin
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Abbaye de Hambye
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Hambye
A stunning example of medieval Cistercian architecture nestled in lush countryside. It offers a peaceful retreat with well-preserved ruins.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
16. Rock of Oëtre
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Hiking
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
The Rock of Oëtre provides panoramic views over the Valley. This ancient rock formation is one of the oldest geological sites in Normandy.
It’s part of the “Suisse Normande” area (meaning Norman Switzerland, due to its natural landscape reminiscent of Switzerland).
17. Biking Inland
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Biking
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
Biking inland in Normandy is a wonderful way to explore the region’s rolling countryside, picturesque villages, and historic landmarks.
18. Lisieux Town
Overall Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Lisieux is famous for the Basilica of Saint Thérèse, drawing pilgrims from around the globe.
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux Basilica ✦✦✦✧✧
- St. Pierre of Lisieux Cathedral ✦✦✧✧✧
- etc.
16 TOP THINGS TO DO
➡️ 16 Best Things to Do in Normandy
- Mont Saint-Michel ✦✦✦✦✦
- D-Day Sites ✦✦✦✦✦
- Etretat Cliffs ✦✦✦✦✦
- Monet’s House & Gardens ✦✦✦✦✦
- etc.
