Our Guide to Normandy (Normandie)

Historic and Lush Normandy

Normandy is situated between the Channel and the Paris Basin and has been a welcoming harbour for communities wanting to establish themselves along the Seine Valley.

The Normandy region comprises the departments of Seine-Maritime, Eure, Calvados, Manche and Orne and is best known for its coasts, green meadows, Camembert cheese, and cider.

Normandy, Forever Steeped in History

Monuments, abbeys, arts and crafts all testify to these influences; Rouen, its capital, with 100 bell towers and half-timbered houses; the UNESCO-listed Mont Saint-Michel; the Bec-Hellouin Abbey; Honfleur and its many painters; the unforgettable Bayeux Tapestry; and the famous 'harras' (stud farms) of the Orne. History meets geography at the D-Day beaches, memorials and the museum in Caen.
Its pleasantness has made Normandy the home of the arts, amongst them painting and literature. Monet, Pissarro, Corneille, Maupassant, Flaubert, Victor Hugo and Dumas 'père', have found inspiration in this peaceful region.

Normandy welcomes many events all year round, international nautical, musical and cinematic events such as 'Les Voiles de la Liberté', 'Jazz sous les Pommiers' in Coutances, the movie festivals in Cabourg and Deauville, where one can enjoy horse races.
Coastal cuisine mainly features seafood prepared in the local style. Don't forget the green bocage, with its meadows crossed by small roads, and local products such as butter, 32 types of cheese, including Camembert, tasty cider, dairy cream (crème fraîche), and exquisite apple pastries.

In the Global Spotlight

Global superstar Madonna praised the region during a concert in Paris in autumn 2023. At one point, she unexpectedly expressed her love for Normandy, mentioning its cows and butter. 

“I’m moving to Normandy. I’m going to start milking cows to get that butter,” the American singer told her fans. But Normandy is also famous for its cooked meats, such as Caen tripe and Vire andouille, as well as its Calvados apple brandy.

Lifestyle & Accessibility 

If you're planning to move to this beautiful country, the proximity to the UK would be a significant advantage, as it ensures you are never too far from your family and loved ones there.

Normandy is easily accessible, with excellent transport links, including ports, trains, and motorways. Normandy is a perfect blend of accessibility and beauty with its stunning beaches, peaceful lifestyle and amiable locals.

Climate in Normandy

Normandy has a temperate oceanic climate with mild winters (2°C to 8°C) and cool summers (20-25°C). The Atlantic Ocean moderates temperatures and limits extremes.

Annual rainfall ranges from 650mm in the east to over 1000mm in the western hills, with changeable weather, west winds often cause showers and clear spells. Autumn and winter are the rainiest months. The region’s diverse terrain creates microclimates, from mild coasts to cooler western hills and eastern plateaus.

Architectural Normand Heritage

Normandy is renowned for its beautiful half-timbered farm buildings, Manor houses with slated roofs, classic châteaux, mansions and traditional stone houses.

The region offers numerous smallholdings and farmhouses, perfect for outdoor lovers, especially equestrian enthusiasts. It also features many properties suitable for restoration, Bed and Breakfast, gite, and hospitality ventures.

Key Facts about Normandy

• Capital city: Rouen
• Population: 3.3 million people (around 5% of France's population, approximately 68 million)
• Area: 30,000 square kilometres (11,580 square miles), approx. 5.4% of France's total area
• Density: About 110 inhabitants per square kilometre, below France’s national average of 123

Essential Tourist Information

• Number of Tourists per Year: Approx. 6 million
• Km of Coastline: Approximately 600 km
• Average Sunshine Hours/Year: Around 1,800 hours
• Approx Châteaux in the Region: Over 100 châteaux, incl. Château de Caen
• Most Famous Landmark: Mont-Saint-Michel
• Golf Courses in the Region: Over 40 golf courses

Travelling to Normandy

The main cities are Rouen, Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg and Évreux. They can be accessed using the road network (motorways, national and departmental roads), the train network, or by air. Here's a list of the region's airports and main train stations.

Airports Serving Normandy

• Caen – Carpiquet Airport
• Deauville – Normandie Airport
• Le Havre – Octeville Airport

Main Train Stations & TGV Links

• Rouen-Rive-Droite
• Caen Station
• Le Havre Station
• Cherbourg Station
• Évreux-Normandie Station

Weather Forecast for Rouen

Check out today's weather in Rouen, the regional capital city, to see the forecast for the next three days. You can use it to organise your trip to Normandy, whether you’re exploring Rouen Cathedral, admiring the Gros Horloge, wandering through the historic centre, strolling along the Seine River, or visiting the Historial Jeanne d'Arc.

Tourist Attractions in Normandy

• Mont Saint-Michel
• D-Day landing beaches
• Bayeux
• Étretat
• Honfleur
• Monet Foundation in Giverny
• Rouen
• Deauville

Regional Nature Parks

• Parc naturel régional des Boucles de la Seine-Normande
• Parc naturel régional du Perche
• Parc naturel régional Normandie-Maine

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay
• Le Havre

Economic Overview & Key Industries

• Economic Strength: Normandy is a significant contributor to France's economy, blending traditional sectors like agriculture and maritime trade with modern industries such as energy and pharmaceuticals, and is renowned for its dairy products, seafood, and tourism.
• Gross Domestic Product: €90 billion (2022), accounting for around 4-5% of France's GDP
• Economy: Services 72% (tourism, healthcare, retail, services), industry 21% (energy, automotive, pharmaceuticals, logistics) and agriculture 7% (dairy, cheese, cider, seafood)
• Unemployment Rate: Approximately 7.5% (France’s national rate = 7.2%)
• Universities and Grandes Écoles: Notable institutions include the University of Caen Normandy, University of Rouen Normandy, University of Le Havre Normandy, EM Normandie Business School, INSA Rouen Normandie, and ESITC Caen.
• Regional specialities: Normandy is famous for its dairy products, such as Camembert cheese, cider, and Calvados; seafood, including oysters and scallops; pastries like Teurgoule; meat dishes like Lamb Pré-Salé; and apples used in various culinary applications.

Property Prices in Normandy in 2026

• Houses - the average price per sq. metre: €2,024 (source Fnaim - April 2026)
• Apartments - average price per sq. metre: €2,342 (source Fnaim - April 2026)
• Price trends - average property price change over the last 12 months: +0.8 % (April 2025 - April 2026)

Discover the Normandy Region

Normandy is a popular destination for those seeking to purchase a second home in the countryside. Property prices are more affordable compared to those in the Dordogne, Provence or Occitanie, although you can expect to pay a premium if you want to be closer to the coast.

Take a look at our infographic to discover more facts about historic Normandy. Click on the links on this page to explore a specific department and browse our properties for sale in Normandy.