Situated 70 km north-west from Paris, Normandy's location offers three distinct coasts, from the ancient bay of Mont St  Michel, through Manche’s rugged coastlines, across picturesque Calvados and up to the Le Tréport fishing village in Seine-Maritime.

5 reasons to visit Normandy

>Its artistic heritage as the birthplace of Impressionism:Inspired by Normandy’s beauty, Impressionist painters set up their easels along the coast, the banks of the Seine, in Rouen’s old town and Monet’s gardens.

>Its pivotal role in the Second World War:
From Sainte-Mère-Eglise in La Manche to Dieppe in Seine Maritime, the coastline is dotted with memorials and museums to discover this powerful history at first hand.

>Its rich regional gastronomy:
For a taste of the sea, try freshly-caught herring or delicate scallops. Meat lovers will relish succulent salt-marsh lamb or traditional black pudding. As for Normandy’s world-famous cheeses – Camembert, Livarot, Neufchâtel and Pont l’Évêque – enjoy them washed down with a local cider.
 
>Its diverse landscapes and regional parks:
With 600km of varied coastline, verdant valleys, lush pastures and leafy forests, Normandy is ideal for outdoor adventures such as exploring by bike, on horseback, by boat or on foot.

>Its strong medieval, religious and cultural heritage:
From Rouen’s old market square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, to Richard the Lionheart’s impressive stronghold and William the Conqueror’s chateaux and abbeys, Normandy’s history and landscape holds the memory of many important historical figures.