22 Less Touristy Things to Do
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ➡️ Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue | ★★★☆☆ | Town - Port | - | - |
| 02 | ➡️ Beuvron-en-Auge | ★★★☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 03 | ➡️ Barfleur | ★★★☆☆ | Village - Port | - | - |
| 04 | Petites & Grandes Dalles | ★★★☆☆ | Hiking + Villages | Self | Free |
| 05 | Biville Dunes | ★★★☆☆ | Hiking | Self | Free |
| 06 | Hatainville | ★★★☆☆ | Hiking | Self | Free |
| 07 | Rock of Oëtre | ★★★☆☆ | Hiking | Self | Free |
| 08 | Château du Champ de Bataille | ★★★☆☆ | Castle | Self | Paid |
| 09 | ➡️ Etretat | ★★★☆☆ | Town - Seaside resort | - | - |
| 10 | ➡️ Dieppe | ★★☆☆☆ | Town - Seaside resort | - | - |
| 11 | ➡️ Giverny | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 12 | ➡️ Les Andelys | ★★☆☆☆ | Town | - | - |
| 13 | ➡️ Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 14 | ➡️ Le Bec-Hellouin | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 15 | ➡️ Lyons-la-Forêt | ★★☆☆☆ | Village | - | - |
| 16 | ➡️ Veules-les-Roses | ★★☆☆☆ | Town - Seaside resort | - | - |
| 17 | Jumièges Abbey | ★★☆☆☆ | Abbey Ruin | Self | Paid |
| 18 | Hambye Abbey | ★★☆☆☆ | Abbey Ruin | Self | Paid |
| 19 | Other Seaside Resorts | ★★☆☆☆ | Seaside Activities | - | - |
| 20 | Biking Inland | ★★☆☆☆ | Biking | Self | Free |
| 21 | Cherbourg | ★☆☆☆☆ | City - Port | - | - |
| 22 | ➡️ Lisieux | ★☆☆☆☆ | Town | - | - |
01. Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue Town
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.
02. 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.
03. Barfleur Village
Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
Barfleur is a quaint fishing village with a picturesque harbor and historic granite houses.
04. Petites & Grandes Dalles
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Hiking
Visit Self
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.
05. Bivilles Dunes
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Hiking
Visit Self
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.
06. Hatainville
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Hiking
Visit Self
Cost Free
Hatainville features a long beach, greenish dunes, and a cliff offering panoramic views of the beach, the dunes and the sea.
07. Rock of Oëtre
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Hiking
Visit Self
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).
08. Château du Champ de Bataille
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Renaissance Castle
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Château du Champ de Bataille is a luxurious 17th-century castle with magnificent gardens. It showcases lavish interiors, extensive art collections, and meticulously designed landscapes.
09. Etretat Town
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Etretat, beyond its famous cliffs, is a picturesque coastal town with quaint streets lined with half-timbered houses, boutique shops, and cafes. Etretat also features a beautiful beach.
10. Dieppe Town
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.
11. Giverny Village
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Giverny, beyond Monet’s house and gardens, is a charming village with picturesque streets lined with stone cottages, vibrant flower, and artisanal shops. Visitors can explore the Museum of Impressionism, showcasing a variety of works inspired by the local landscape.
Giverny also offers beautiful walking paths along the Seine River and through the surrounding countryside.
12. Les Andelys Town
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Les Andelys is a picturesque town known for the Château Gaillard, perched above the Seine River.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Jumièges Abbey
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Romanesque Abbey Ruin
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Abbaye de Jumièges is one of the oldest and most impressive abbeys in Normandy. The majestic ruins in beautiful parkland create a serene atmosphere.
18. Hambye Abbey
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Gothic Abbey Ruin
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Abbey Hambye is a stunning example of medieval Cistercian architecture nestled in lush countryside. It offers a peaceful retreat with well-preserved ruins and beautiful gardens.
19. Other Seaside Resorts
Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
The Normandy coast features numerous seaside resorts, often situated next to each other, that share similar characteristics: Belle Époque architecture, grand hotels, restaurants, casinos, and large sandy beaches.
Examples
– 📍 Cabourg
– 📍 Houlgate
– 📍 Arromanches-les-Bains
20. Biking Inland
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type A
Visit Self
Cost Free
Biking inland in Normandy is a wonderful way to explore the region’s rolling countryside, picturesque villages, and historic landmarks.
21. Cherbourg City
Overall Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Cherbourg is a port city known for its maritime museum, La Cité de la Mer, housed in a former transatlantic terminal. The city features a harbor and historic fortifications.
22. Lisieux Town
Overall Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Lisieux is famous for the Basilica of Saint Thérèse, drawing pilgrims from around the globe.
