Where to stay in Normandy?

Mont-Saint-Michel: the must-see site in Normandy

Every year, Mont-Saint-Michel attracts over 2 million visitors from all over the world. It's the must-see tourist site in Normandy, and one of the most visited in France.

Because of the benefits of discovering it in the evening, away from the hustle and bustle of the day, as well as its isolation, staying at or near Mont-Saint-Michel is essential if you are to enjoy the site to the full. The main alternative is therefore to stay in the Mont-Saint-Michel intramuros, the most incredible experience. But accommodation is expensive, both in terms of availability and budget.

The other alternatives are in the immediate vicinity, in the developed area known as "La Caserne", to the south of the Mont. This area has been converted into a tourist stopover, offering accommodation where to stay just a few kilometers from the site. And right next to the Mont-Saint-Michel public parking lot, with its shuttle service to the foot of the ramparts.

The last option for accommodation near the Mont-Saint-Michel site is to travel a few kilometers further away. In the small villages nearby. You lose the advantage of proximity, but you can still find good places to stay. With a view of the Mont in particular!

Stay in Caen and take advantage of its proximity to the coast

Known as the "City of a Hundred Spires", Caen is renowned for its many religious buildings and for having been the city of William the Conqueror. Today, Caen is the cultural and intellectual capital of Normandy, and enjoys an advantageous location close to the sea and many sites of interest.

These include Bayeux, famous for its tapestry, and the D-Day beaches stretching as far as Arromanches-les-Bains and Ouistreham, as well as Falaise, renowned for its castle.

Caen's proximity to the coastal towns of Cabourg, Deauville and Honfleur also makes it a strategic place to stay, while still allowing you to get around by car.

Within the city itself, public transport takes you easily from one point to another, allowing you to discover the many monuments and iconic sites that make up the city, such as William the Conqueror's castle, the Aux Dames and Aux Hommes abbeys, and the charming Vaugueux district where Edith Piaf's family lived.

All types of accommodation can be found here, catering for a wide range of budgets, with the most economical option being to stray slightly from the center for the best prices.

Discover the Côte du Havre

Located at the end of the Côte des Havres, on the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, Granville is a seaside and health resort that attracts more and more visitors every year.

It's the ideal place to stay during your stay in Normandy: close to Mont-Saint-Michel, Agon-Coutainville and the Chausey islands, it offers tourists a wide choice of cultural visits and sandy beaches.

If you're planning to stay in Normandy and explore the various coastal towns that populate it, we recommend that you find accommodation in Granville and take your car to visit the tourist and scenic sites that surround it.

You're sure to fall under the spell of the picturesque landscapes of this Norman town with its rich military and religious past. You'll appreciate the English influences in the architecture of the buildings and the many accommodations available.

Although Granville is easy to reach by train from Paris or by plane from Caen airport (which provides inter-regional connections), getting around is best done by car. You can easily rent one on site, or bring your own vehicle.

Visit Rouen: a cultural and historical tour

As one of the world's cultural capitals, Rouen 's rich past has made it one of France's and the world's leading cities. Not only the site of Joan of Arc's arrest, trial and condemnation, it is also home to numerous historic monuments dating from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Visitors will appreciate the Gothic churches that dot the once Roman city, Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the world's tallest, and the famous half-timbered houses for which Rouen is famous. A true cultural hub, Rouen is also home to a number of museums covering a wide range of arts.

You can easily get around Rouen using public transport or, for the more sporty, the Cy'clic bicycles provided by the town council.

To get to Rouen, you have several choices: airport, train station or road access. However, if you wish to travel from Rouen throughout Normandy, it is advisable touse a rental car (or your own), as transport between the various towns is not the most developed.

Rouen has plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets. Hotels of all categories offer accommodation in the center, allowing you to stay close to all amenities.

Where to stay on the Pointe de La Hague?

North of the Normandy coast, cradled by the English Channel, lies the port city of Cherbourg, famous for its impressive Cité de la Mer. Between modernity and the vestiges of the Belle Epoque, there's a wide range of activities on offer, including visits to the Basilique de la Sainte Trinité, the Musée de la Libération, the Cité de la Mer and the Grande Rade.

You can explore the rich past of this maritime city, or venture out to the other communes that border the Pointe de la Hague.

Barneville-Carteret, just over thirty kilometers away, is renowned for its iconic Carteret lighthouse and endless beaches. You can also explore Vauville, whose castle and gardens have made its reputation. Finally, take the opportunity to visit the famous Port Racine, France's smallest port, on the Pointe de la Hague.

Cherbourg is an ideal base for visiting the Cotentin coastline. Close to everything by car, it also offers public transport services within the city and to other towns in the region.

It's the ideal place to stay if you want to combine the comforts of an urban environment with the convenience of being on the move. You'll find accommodation to suit all budgets, usually close to the port. It's a great opportunity to stay in an authentic regional setting!

Etretat and the cliffs of the Côte d'Albâtre

If Etretat's landscapes seem vaguely familiar, it's because they have inspired many artists, including Claude Monnet. Once a fishing village by the sea, Etretat's half-timbered buildings have stood the test of time and the sea winds.

Of course, you can't go to Etretat without falling under the spell of its imposing horizontal cliffs. Choose the best way to discover them: on foot along the paths overlooking the coast, or by boat, with your feet in the water.

Although the village is not very large and can be visited easily on foot, it is still advisable to get there by car. In summer, trains and shuttles connect the larger towns to Etretat, but in low season, getting there by public transport becomes a little more complicated.

Although Etretat is a small town, there is a wide range of accommodation on offer. You'll still need to pay just over a hundred euros a night to enjoy the typical setting of this timeless place.

Staying on an Anglo-Saxon island

The Channel Island of Jersey is a prime destination for strolling through colorful and unique landscapes. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy strolling along the esplanade to the Corbière Lighthouse through the "green-lanes", paths reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. They can also discover the various bays bordering the island, the Trou du Diable, and the local gastronomy.

This experience invites you to relax and enjoy the scenery, surrounded by the sea and flowers for which the island is famous.

You can reach Jersey by boat from Granville. Once there, take a bike or a car to explore this little paradise between France and England. You can also take advantage of public buses to discover the island and get around wherever you like.

When planning your stay, take into account the time of year and find out about the tides. At low tide, discover a rocky, almost lunar landscape, while the island almost doubles in size. At high tide, the turquoise beaches stretch as far as the eye can see. It's the 3rd highest tidal range in the world!

As for accommodation, you'll need to budget a little more than on the mainland. Expect to pay at least a hundred euros a night. On the other hand, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to where to stay. You can choose to stay in a sumptuous hotel, or opt for more modest, affordable accommodation. The advantage of staying on an island is that wherever you are, you'll certainly be able to see the sea from your window.

Please note: if you wish to stay overnight, make sure you have your passport with you. As Jersey is an Anglo-Saxon island, you'll need a passport valid for 6 months after the date of your stay if you're spending more than one day there. For the same reason, you'll need to remember to take an adapter for the electrical sockets, and have your currency changed to pay in pounds sterling!