The 14 most beautiful villages in Normandy

Normandy is renowned for its picturesque corners, so why not go to their discovery! Here's a list of the most beautiful villages in Normandy.

Normandy has a historical reputation for its environment and beautiful villages. Its coastline is famous for its chalk cliffs and fine sandy beaches. While its cities and port cities amaze the gaze with their Romanesque architecture. Dude Havre to Caen , passing through Dieppe , the region is also full of picturesque towns in the event of time. For a weekend or longer stay, this ranking of the 14 most beautiful villages in Normandy will take you to new places to spend a unique holiday.

1. Tilly-sur-Seulles

Located in Calvados, this small village of 1700 inhabitants was born in 1759. His lands are bought by the marquis François-Jean Orceau de Fontette. Tilly-les-Seulles is one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy for its many chapels, the remains of its castle and its medieval bridge.

2. Villers-Bocage

During the Second World War, Normandy suffered the destruction of the bombings. Villers-Bocage was destroyed at 90% in 1944. But since that fateful date, the village has been reconstructed and now stands as a charming village.

At the edge of the virois bocage, this town, 12 km from Tilly-sur-Seulles, is ideal for exploring the surrounding countryside. The village also has a castle, built by the Morin family in 1630.

3. Barfleur

Let's go now to the Norman coast. The origins of Barfleur date back to Antiquity, already used as a home by the Scandinavian Vikings. Its port, granite houses and slate roof, the church of Saint Nicholas; Barfleur is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy, but also in France.

Its picturesque setting is an ideal destination to take the sea air. Also enjoy its famous mussels!

4. Le Mont-Saint-Michel

Barfleur and Mont-Saint-Michel are closely linked. Indeed, during the Middle Ages, English pilgrims used the paths of Cherbourg and Barfleur to go on the islet.

This 1300-year-old fortress is the most visited site in the region. With the abbey of Saint-Michel in its centre, the Mont fascinates with its breathtaking view of the Channel, its impressive tides and its multiple monuments, museums and shops.

5. Gender

From the beaches of the Bec d’Aidaine, Mont-Saint-Michel stands on the horizon.

Another beautiful village in Normandy, Genêts is a former medieval trade port. Today, the commune has reopened in tourism. It is also renowned for its local ceramists, church and atypical restaurants.

6. Honfleur

Located on the Seine estuary, Honfleur is worldwide known for its Old Bassin. This is where the charm of this commune lies. Honfleur is actually a city. But its appearance as a large Norman village, with its small alleys and picturesque port is enough to consider it as one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy!

7. Veules-les-Roses

On the side of Barfleur as one of the most beautiful French villages, Veules-les-Roses is a seaside resort and commune of the Seine-Maritime department.

Here, the water of its ruisselle river on the wheels of the mills. His doves and flowery plots have seduced great artists like Victor Hugo or Paul Meurice. On the other hand, the commune is known for its Veulaises oyster raised in the middle of the sea.

8. Lyons-la-Forêt

The village of Lyons-la-Forêt is located in the vicinity of the Lyons State forest, whose name it derives. Gratified as one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy, but also in France, this commune is ideal if you want to take a bowl of fresh air.

Its pink brick doves, antique shops and tea lounges make up the perfect picturesque setting.

9. Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei

This small town is located south of the Orne, in the heart of Normandy-Maine Natural Regional Park. Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei has the only chance to retain the majority of its heritage.

Time seems to have stopped there. The Miraculous Fountain, the chapel of the Petit Saint Céneri, the mill of Trotté, the medieval universe still present in the commune makes it one of the most beautiful villages of Normandy and France.

10. Beuvron-en-Auge

Cider lovers? The town of Beuvron-en-Auge is for you! One of the benchmarks Cidre Road , this village of Calvados is a haven of epicureus. With its Old Manoir, its doves and inns, you can chat with enthusiasts and taste regional cheap products!

11. The Bec-Hellouin

Within this town of the department of Eure lies the Abbey of Bec. This UNESCO World Heritage Monument is the flagship attraction of this beautiful village of Normandy. Here religion is very present and is most of the life of the inhabitants. Its postcard landscape and forest areas are suitable for hiking, hiking or mountain biking.

12. Giverny

At the extreme east of the department of Eure, the commune of Giverny mainly speaks of it because it houses in its lands the residence of Claude Monet. The famous Impressionist painter bought in 1890 the residence and converted his orchards into a flowery garden. Today is Giverny’s flagship attraction.

But this beautiful village also gathers the church of Sainte-Radegonde, red brick doves and a landscape flooded by the various furrows of the Vexin bossu.

13. Etretat

Once a modest fishing village, this town is today a seaside resort that attracts almost a million tourists a year. Etretat is one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy for its vertiginous chalk cliffs and its pebble beaches.

On the other hand, the village was a landmark for many artists, from Claude Monet or Guy de Maupassant to Maurice Leblanc . The latter accentuated the local legends with his book L’Aiguille Creuse of the Arsène Lupin .

14. Bell

Built on a rocky grove in the Perche Nature Reserve, Bellemia is an ancient medieval city that was ranked sixth most beautiful French village in 2017.

The town is characterized by its place of Europe, the tile roofs of its houses, its private five-century hotels and the remains of its castle. A destination not to be missed to finish our tour.

Here we are at the conclusion of this guide. Of course, this list is non-exhaustive. Normandy is full of many picturesque wonders. You have to go to their discovery!