City: Normandy
Top Things to do in Normandy
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What to do and see in Normandy, France: The Best Architectural Buildings
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. La Maison des Canadiens
2. Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,053 reviews
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.
3. Maison de Jean-Francois Doublet
4. St. Maclou's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 436 reviews
A beautifully ornate Gothic church located on the Rue Saint-Romain.
Reviewed By r0landbrunner - Zurich, Switzerland
another huge and stunning gothic church in Rouen, and I liked it more then the Cathedral, as it has nicer stonework and also more to offer inside. don't miss it.
5. Abbatiale Saint-Ouen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 323 reviews
A large 16th century church surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows.
Reviewed By bobs506
One afternoon in May, my wife and I visited St Ouen's Abbey while we were in Rouen. My wife had read that the Abbey’s organ is one of the finest musical instruments in the world. It is a magnificent structure. I was surprised that there were so few visitors. While we were there we heard someone playing the organ. It was real, not a recoding piped in over the speakers. On display at the front of the church there was a stand with CDs trumpet and organ recording made in the church by organist Marie-Andrew Morisset-Balier and trumpeter Michel Morisset. We selected two CDs and went to pay the gentleman sitting nearby. "Would you like to see the organ?", he asked. Next thing we knew he had picked up his trumpet and lead us up the narrow circular staircase into the organ loft. There he introduced us to his wife Marie-Andree Morisset-Balier and himself Michel Morisset. They launched into a movement from a symphony by Ernest Chausson that Mr Morisset had transcribed for trumpet and organ. It was a magical experience standing next to them as they played. We waved to a few visitors down below in the church. When it was over Mr Morisset led us down the staircase ( tThank God for the rope railing that we held on to. ) and hung around for a bit while Mrs Morisset-Balier continued to play the organ. Soon we saw Mr Morisset leading another small group up to the organ loft for their own private recital. I am guessing the Mr & Mrs Morisset are on the abbey’s music staff. They like to play in this magnificent setting and supplement their income with sales of their CDS. If you visit the church in the afternoon, you just may get lucky as we did. Good luck!
6. Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,468 reviews
This stunning Gothic structure is considered by some to be the town's most important architectural landmark.
Reviewed By Keeley2305 - Toddington, United Kingdom
Well worth a visit if you are in the city of Rouen, free entry Beautiful historic cathedral with plenty of information in other languages aside from French. The tomb of Richard the lionheart is inside, and statue of Joan of arc Tour guides can be found around the cathedral who can be very informative
7. Cathedrale Notre-Dame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,843 reviews
The cathedral of Notre-Dame in Bayeux is an impressive building, a mix of Romanesque in the 11th century crypt and glorious Gothic in the 13th-century nave. In the 11th century after the Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066, ties with England were strong. You'll see a reference to the turbulent past above the south transept portal where sculpted scenes show the life of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral on the orders of King Henry II of England. The Bayeux Tapestry was kept here from the 11th to the 18th centuries, probably displayed for the first time on the day the cathedral was consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror.
Reviewed By dfield281 - Katy, United States
This beautiful Cathedral has a rich history as it is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux and was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry. The combinations of architecture make this Cathedral unique and a must-see sight in Bayeux.
8. Hotel de Bourgtheroulde
9. Aitre St-Maclou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
Former house used for the bodies of plague victims and current site of Rouen's Fine Art Academy.
Reviewed By Jamcar16
Most unusual place in Rouen. An ossuary dating from the 14th century. Amazing carvings of sculls, bones and grave diggers tools on the ancient wooden and stone buildings. To get the best out of a visit here it is best to read up on the history of the buildings before a visit to really appreciate this place.
10. Palais Benedictine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,753 reviews
The Palais Benedictine, an architectural masterpiece of gothic and Renaissance inspirations, proposes guided tours all year long on Saturday, Sunday, holidays (except May 1st, December 25th and January 1st), and every day during school holidays at 3pm. Discover the museum, the one and only Benedictine distillery in the world and the cellars. Eventually, enjoy the contemporary art exhibition, before heading to the Winter Garden where is offered a tasting of one of the three Benedictine Expressions*. Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health. Consume with moderation
Reviewed By emilymR66DW
The palace was really interesting, lots of beautiful things to see. We did the distillery tour and Samantha was brilliant - interesting, funny and very friendly. And you got to taste it at the end! A brilliant way to fill a few hours.
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