Things to do in Normandy, France: The Best Monuments & Statues

December 8, 2021 Alice Mieles

Normandy (/ˈnɔːrməndi/; French: Normandie, pronounced [nɔʁmɑ̃di] ( listen), Norman: Normaundie, from Old French Normanz, plural of Normant, originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is one of the 18 regions of France, roughly corresponding to the historical Duchy of Normandy.
Restaurants in Normandy

1. 51st Highland Division Memorial Stone

Saint-Valery-en-Caux France
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

51st Highland Division Memorial Stone

2. Pegasus Memorial

avenue Major John Howard, 14860 Ranville France +33 2 31 78 19 44 [email protected] https://musee.memorial-pegasus.com/fr/
Excellent
79%
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19%
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2%
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5.0 based on 1,052 reviews

Pegasus Memorial

A memorial to the first British soldiers to arrive in Normandy who captured the Pegasus Bridge from the Nazis.

Reviewed By lizanneSurrey - Woking, United Kingdom

This is an excellent museum with many artifacts from the D Day landings, with poignant reminders of sacrifices made both local people & troops. There is a large illuminated model of the area highlighted during an introductory talk prior to a film of the assault. It warrents more than one visit in order to take everything in. Very thought provoking.

3. La Maison des Canadiens

34 Promenade des Francais, 14990 Bernieres-sur-Mer France +33 2 31 96 55 38 http://maisondescanadiens.e-monsite.com/
Excellent
77%
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5.0 based on 35 reviews

La Maison des Canadiens

4. D-Day Monument

Avenue de La Liberation Omaha Beach, 14710 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer France
Excellent
86%
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12%
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5.0 based on 162 reviews

D-Day Monument

Reviewed By 264wendys - Blackshear, United States

We visited the American Cemetery and Monument in May, 2019. We were there just a few days before the 75th D-Day Anniversary celebrations. The grounds were immaculate and beautiful. Obviously, it's almost exactly like Arlington in Virginia, but the fact that you're on the beach, so close to where so many of the men in those graves died, just makes a bigger impact, somehow. They play Taps and the National Anthem every hour, and each time the songs were played, it brought tears to our eyes. We forget the sacrifices of these men, and this place just does a great job of bringing all that into focus so you truly can appreciate the Greatest Generation.

5. Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

Bp 22 Au sommet du village, 50170 Mont-Saint-Michel France +33 2 33 89 80 00 [email protected] http://www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 14,053 reviews

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

The Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most remarkable examples of mediaeval religious and military architecture and was one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage sites from the 8th to the 18th century.The Abbey comprises a superb ensemble of clerical buildings including the abbey church, the cloister, the refectory, the monks' ambulatory and the gardens of what has been known as the ""Merveille"" (Marvel) since the 12th century. In summer, the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel is best seen in all its splendour after sunset during the special “sons et lumières"" shows. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > 2nd May to 31st August: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. > 1st September to 30th April: from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admission 1 hr before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May and 25 December. Admission fees: Adults : 9€; Concessions (18 to 25) = 5,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups

Reviewed By F1750XYsharonl - Hobart, Australia

The Abbey at Mont Saint Michel is one of the most impressive locations I have visited in the 30 odd countries I have visited! The location and the history are fascinating and the quaint shops and restaurants make it a perfect place to visit on a (long) day trip from Paris by fast train. Exploring the abbey was one of the highlights of my trip and I highly recommend it to anyone although the stairs and steepness of the site may challenge some.

6. Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie

Boulevard Fabian Ware, 14400, Bayeux France +33 2 31 51 46 90 [email protected] http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/pcu/musee-memorial-de-la-bataille-de-normandie/bayeux/fiche-PCUNOR014FS0008O-1.html
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,825 reviews

Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie

Situated near the British Military Cemetery of Bayeux, the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy narrates the battles which took place in Normandy after the D-Day landings, between 7th June and 29th August 1944. The collections of military equipment, the diorama and the archival films allow the visitor to grasp the enormous effort made during this decisive battle in order to restore peace in Europe.

Reviewed By Christine9046

Great museum, so much to see! Tons of artillery equipment, vehicles, artifacts, just amazing! All original from stuff left after the war since it was too costly to ship them back. TIP: buy the 3 museum tour for 15 € to save money. All the museums are close-by so you can do all 3 in a day. They are Tapestry, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, and Baron Gerard Art & Art history. Remember, all museums close between 12pm-2pm for lunch so be sure to start when they open at 9am and plan ahead so you can visit all 3. They close at 6pm. Shops close at 7pm so shop before eating dinner.

7. Le Memorial du 19 Aout 1942

Place Camille Saint Saens, 76200, Dieppe France +33 2 35 40 36 65 http://www.dieppe-operationjubilee-19aout1942.fr/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 199 reviews

Le Memorial du 19 Aout 1942

Reviewed By Calgarytraveller2 - Calgary, Canada

We spent the afternoon in Dieppe on a beautiful, hot summer day. Walking along the beach, it was so hard to imagine the terrible devastation that happened here on Aug 19, 1942. We were especially moved by the memorial along the beach to the Calgary soldiers who were stuck in tanks on the beach that fateful day. It was good to see the memorials to all the different regiments from across Canada who took part in the raid. We then walked to the Canadian memorial and sat in the shade, taking some time to reflect on the sacrifice made on the beautiful beach that day. We will remember. We would also recommend visiting the nearby Canadian war cemetery - it was also very moving and a lovely spot next to farmers' fields.

8. La Fiere Bridge and Iron Mike Monument

13 Moulin a la Fiere, 50480 Sainte-Mere-Eglise France http://liberationroute.com/france/place-of-interest/la-fiere-bridge-and-monument-iron-mike
Excellent
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4.5 based on 130 reviews

La Fiere Bridge and Iron Mike Monument

Reviewed By rdholler - Atlanta, United States

Much is written about the troops that came ashore on the beaches. What is less written is the work of the paratroopers to take and secure the areas inland that would allow access to the main road system. Since much of the area between the beaches and the main roads was marshland, it was important that the roads that did connect were captured and held so that the huge number of troops and the massive amount of equipment that was needed for the march to Paris could be moved. If you are interested in the Airborne troops, this is really an important place. As a note, if you have time, there is a small church directly across the river that has a beautiful stained glass window honoring the troops.

9. Gros-Horloge

Rue du Gros Horloge, 76000, Rouen France +33 2 32 08 01 90 http://www.rouen.fr/gros-horloge
Excellent
57%
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4.5 based on 905 reviews

Gros-Horloge

Reviewed By snellbydate

The clock is very ornate and chimes every 15 minutes.There i s a lot of gold on it and bright colours and hangs over the cobbled street in the old town.

10. Les Braves

Omaha Beach, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer France
Excellent
51%
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4.5 based on 208 reviews

Les Braves

Reviewed By tammyjewel628 - Houston, United States

You can see it from the parking lot...it was nice to just sit and look at it, see the beach, the flags flying...I can't even imagine what that day was like back during the war...so humbling and so blessed to be able to visit - the American Cemetery and Omaha Beach Museum and gift shop are nearby (within 10 minutes)...when we left we drove along the beach on the way out, beautiful views...We visited on the 75th Anniversary...it was a bucket list checkoff and I'm so glad it worked out this year...

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