Normandy, FR holiday lettings: Houses & more

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Destination guide

Renting a Normandy holiday home

Splashed by the swells of the English Channel and peppered with some of France's most amazing historical towns, Normandy is a beguiling place. It's proud of its conquering past – the conquest of England was seeded here in the 11th century – and its unique culture. The region packs in pretty beach towns and pastoral countryside, all folded together with iconic attractions, like the spires of Mont Saint-Michel and the Bayeux Tapestry. Normandy holiday lettings come in all shapes and sizes, too, whether a rustic farm conversion amid the wooded hills or an elegant French cottage by the sea.

History

The immersive history of Normandy

Few regions in France – nay, all of Europe – can match the sheer influence that Normandy has had on the world. A conquest of England, and settlements as far-afield as the Canary Islands and Sicily, are some of the major feats achieved by its native peoples. In fact, it's thought that the Norman prowess in war is a legacy of long-lost Viking ancestors, who raided these lands as early as the 9th century. These days, the medieval golden age is the most evident. You'll be able to experience that first-hand if you seek out Normandy holiday rentals in places like Rouen or Caen, where museums mingle with Gothic churches and grand cathedrals rich in history.

Things to do

The top attractions you should see in Normandy

Some of France's most iconic sights make their home in Normandy. The impossibly romantic vision of Mont Saint-Michel rising from the reflective waters of the English Channel is surely among them. You'll want to take a whole day to explore its medieval, UNESCO-attested church halls and abbey. More history of the Middle Ages awaits at the famous Museum of the Bayeux Tapestry, where the hand-crafted relic depicts the Norman invasion of England, in 1066. The Caen Memorial, meanwhile, is a moving monument to the hard-fought battles of D-Day, during WWII, while the grand Cathedral of Rouen offers a glimpse at the perfection of the Gothic style.

Beaches

Brilliant beaches close to your Normandy holiday let

Arromanches-les-Bains is steeped in D-Day history
Ravenoville-Plage has a sloping, dune-backed stretch of sand with colourful cottages – it's great for photographers
Warm Atlantic currents in the summer make Barneville–Carteret a favourite with swimmers
Upscale Cabourg is a fine beach for cafe hopping and strolling the sands between art galleries

How to get around

How to get about in Normandy

Normandy is a big region, spreading from the flowering fields of the Somme in the east to the edge of Brittany in the west. That means a car is always a good idea if you're planning an itinerary that takes in all its treasures. The good news is the roads are excellent and there are oodles of Normandy villa rentals with on-site parking spaces as standard. For hopping between the main towns – Rouen, Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg – it's usually possible to find local bus links. And there are regular trains going to those directly from Paris.

Food & drink

Tasting regional food in Normandy holiday homes

The good news for foodies is that it's easy to bag a Normandy holiday rental with a big, self-catering kitchen. That means you can plan to cook all sorts of regional dishes and shop away to your heart's content at the Saturday-morning markets, the boulangeries and the fish markets. Delicacies you'll want to keep an eye out for include the tasty oysters of Trouville-sur-Mer, the wheeled cheeses of Camembert, and the farm-raised duck meats of the Seine Valley. Drinks-wise, be sure to bag yourself bottles of cloudy apple cider and the herb-laced Benedictine liqueur – a perfect digestif.

Essential info

Key facts about Normandy

Normandy has a population of 3.45 million, just over 5.5% of France's total
Normandy's coastline is along the English Channel
The currency in Normandy, as in France, is the euro (EUR)
The historic city of Rouen is the region's capital
Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in all of Normandy and France

How many holiday rentals are available around Normandy?

Our 2019 accommodation listings offer a large selection of 8,864 holiday lettings around Normandy. From 4,033 Houses to 291 Villas, find unique self catering accommodation for you to enjoy a memorable stay with your family and friends for a long holiday or a weekend break.

What are the most popular destinations to visit in Normandy?

There are many lovely places to stay for a long holiday or just a weekend break in Normandy. From HomeAway travellers, the popular destinations to visit are:

Honfleur: 1,384 holiday homes
Deauville: 1,915 holiday homes
Caen: 585 holiday homes
Upper Normandy: 3,814 holiday homes
Dieppe: 382 holiday homes

HomeAway offers you the possibility to discover many other popular destinations in Normandy! Please use our search bar to access the selection of self catering accommodations available in other popular destinations.

What are the main cities to discover in Normandy?

Whether you are travelling solo or with family and friends, here are the cities in Normandy with the largest selection of holiday lettings for a perfect city break:

Honfleur: 1,384 holiday lettings
Deauville: 1,915 holiday lettings
Caen: 585 holiday lettings
Dieppe: 382 holiday lettings
Rouen: 268 holiday lettings

For other cities, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday homes available.

Can I find easy access holiday homes when travelling by plane to Normandy?

Yes of course. Our owners offer a large selection of self catering accommodations near to airports. Airports with a large selection of self catering accommodations in Normandy are:

Dieppe (DPE-Saint-Aubin): 683 self catering accommodations
Alencon (XAN): 122 self catering accommodations
Evreux (EVX-Fauville Air Base): 164 self catering accommodations

For other airports, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday rentals available.

What are the most popular points of interest and landmarks to stay near in Normandy?

HomeAway offers a large selection of holiday lettings near great places to visit in Normandy. From HomeAway travellers, the top popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:

Deauville Beach: 2,686 holiday rentals
Dieppe Beach: 687 holiday rentals
Rouen Cathedral: 398 holiday rentals
Utah Beach: 864 holiday rentals
Trouville Beach: 2,684 holiday rentals

But there are many other points of interest around Normandy listed on HomeAway where you can find your place to stay. Just write your wanted destination in our search bar and have a look at our selection of holiday accommodations.