City: Normandy
Top Things to do in Normandy
Countries
What to do and see in Normandy, France: The Best Places and Tips
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. Walt Disney Studios Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
A new addition to Disneyland Paris that celebrates cinema.
Reviewed By Amy H
We went to both parks but I have to sat that the Disney park was better than the Walt Disney Studios park. My favourite part of this park was the Art of Animation display.
2. Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 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 Tommyg2230 - Tysons Corner VA
My expectations of the abbey MSM were wildly exceeded. The tour is absolutely worth a couple of hours of your time, if not for the history then for the views across the channel on one side and the French countryside on the other.
3. Palace of Versailles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Palace, trianon palaces and the estate of marie-antoinette : open daily except mondays and certain public holidays. Gardens and park : open daily.Commented tours, independant visits, musical fontains shows, shows, bowboats, little train, bicycles, bookshop, shops, restaurants...
Reviewed By AlexJames102 - London, United Kingdom
It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to visit the Palace of Versailles and I went with no pre-conceived expectations. In fact, I heavily researched for my visit; which I knew would be busy, being the Easter weekend.
My review is going to be overwhelmingly negative, so I feel it’s important to begin with the positives.
Versailles is simply a marvel; one of the most luxurious and jaw-droppingly beautiful palaces I’ve seen. The Hall of Mirrors is spectacular. The architecture is bedazzling. The interiors are special.
That said, I feel I must warn people about my overall experience visiting the palace. I have no agenda at all except to inform.
Despite arriving at around 10.30am, we queued for over two hours with pre-paid tickets bought online. This massive queue finishes at the actual entrance- a tiny little door. I simply cannot believe that, with the quantity of visitors (10m a year), the Palace can’t organise a better influx into the Palace. There are, after all, a huge number of spacious exits. I know the Palace is world famous and attracts hordes, but the queue is simply outrageously long; with no staff in sight to advise, and poorly managed.
To say that Versailles is overcrowded would be an understatement. It’s claustrophobic, and restricts one’s ability to appreciate the rooms. This, coupled with cameras being shoved in and around one’s person constantly, severely damaged my ability to absorb the splendours of the Palace properly.
And this is where my main criticism lies: the management of the Palace. Elements of the online ticket are simply a scam. Nowhere on the website does it say that two thirds of the house and accompanying estates are closed. Nowhere does it say that even if you buy an e-ticket including access to the Gardens (!) you still have to queue and pay extra to access them on a Saturday. There is, in fact, no live information online detailing day to day details. Let me give an example: the Trianon estate is currently closed for refurbishment. That is not stated clearly on the website. I couldn’t find it anywhere, in fact. But they still charge ticket bundles for it, that cost extra. That is simply a scam.
The staff were unhelpful, and often rude when I asked for specifics. I speak very good French as well. This attitude bore all the hallmarks of a tourist site unconcerned with customer care as they didn’t need to be polite- they will never be short of visitors and ergo don’t face scrutiny.
Versailles was a massive disappointment- and I consider myself a patient and understanding visitor respectful of local culture. I wanted to write a Trip Advisor specifically to warn people.
If you want to visit what is absolutely a fabulous palace, go at 9am, off season, and call to check what’s open and what’s not, and expect queues and people everywhere.
4. Musee d'Orsay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
This beautiful museum, once a railroad station, now houses a staggering collection of Impressionist art, as well as other items created between 1848 and 1914. In 2011, the museum is running a renovation of the top floor (impressionist gallery). Only ground and medium floor are accessible. The top floor will re-open on the 20th of October. Meanwhile, some impressionist masterpieces are not visible.
Reviewed By sargent0 - Swindon, United Kingdom
On our last full day in Paris we visited Musée d’Orsay. We got there early (and thank god we did) arriving at 09:40 just after opening to join a huge queue which stretched to the corner of the block. It took us just over an hour to get in, but it was worth the wait.
Also being the first Sunday of the month, entry was free which was a real bonus though the full price ticket is only €12 per adult.
On arrival we head straight up to the 5th floor to the only cafe which was open at the time. Worth noting that until 11:45 they only serve tea, coffee, cake and desserts so we ordered tea, a pint of cola and my husband had a Belgian waffle. Once lunch could be ordered I had the Salade Parisian and my husband the Fois Grais.
Both of which was very nice and all in all cane to around €45
We started our visit on the 5th floor after our lunch and it is without a doubt the best section.
With a huge collection of Monet, Renoir you would not be disappointed by the majority of Exhibitions. I particularly liked the Sisley collection.
Having arrived at 11:15 we departed around 14:30.
It’s a stunning museum with a collection which I am sure would have something for everyone.
I’ll be honest, I was very surprised by how much of the art work I really liked. I would never have classed myself as a fan of the Impressionists as our personal art collection is very modern day while quite eclectic to say the least but there were a number of the Monet and Sisley pieces which I found quite stunning.
For €12 each you cannot go wrong with a visit to this beautiful museum which in itself is a piece of art, originally an old railway station, this old building is something to be admired in its own right.
Would absolutely recommend if you can stand the queues.
5. Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Overlooking Omaha Beach, the launching point of the U.S. invasion of Normandy, this cemetery contains the graves of 9,386 American soldiers who died at Normandy and a touching memorial to another 1,557 whose bodies were never recovered.
Reviewed By Dierregi - Brussels, Belgium
We visited on a miserable, cold, rainy day which enhanced the melancholy of the place. The cemetery is perfectly maintained and there is something overwhelmingly sad with the symmetry of the tombs. At the entrance a big monument and two large maps of the invasion on each side, commemorate the events. We could walk on the grass only in some areas, because the soil was drenched, but it was moving to see the odd rose and American flags next to some tombs. I felt respect for all these young lives lost to the madness of the war.
The memorial makes it for the highest point of the visit. Built with clean and sober lines it really fits the purpose for a dignified commemoration. Short documentaries about some of the victims and the events of the D-Day are showed on a loop in different areas; you can also see a detailed chronology of the invasion on the wall and gear, photos and personal things that give an intimate, tragic touch. Unmissable and truly moving.
PS: I give it a five, although I found the Tyne-Cot (WW I) cemetery more moving, with its less symmetrical precision. Also, I can imagine that during summer it might get too crowded and some teenage classes visiting were most annoying, with their silly laughters and disrespectful behaviour.
6. Franca Entre Amigos
Overall Ratings
5 based on 242 reviews
Franca entre amigos, or France among friends is a tourist agency that wellcomes travellers in Paris. Since 2008, a friendly and thoughtful staff provide private excursions and transferts. The team is experienced and knowlegeable on major sights. We only do private tours and departure point is always located from your hotel, so that you and your family can enjoy maximum confort and security.
Reviewed By Stefania20 - Copenhagen, Denmark
It's an incredible place, seeing the tide coming up so quickly it's mesmerising. The only negative point we found is this one: we wanted to wait for the 20: p.m. tide, after having visited the abbey. We wanted to just sit in a cafe to have a beer or something like that, watching the tide coming up. Nothing, at 6 p.m. every bar or restaurant (but one, internal) was closed. Not a very marketing-clever idea, but maybe there was something going on we didnt' know about.
7. Normandy Battle Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 249 reviews
Normandy Battle Tours offers tailor-made historically robust single and multi-day tours of the D-Day Battlefields for small groups of between 1 and 7 people. Whether following the route of a family member or just curious to learn more about one of man's greatest ever military feats, we can offer you a unique insight into D-Day and the Battle for Normandy through our tours which are led by the only academically trained historian / published author to be working as a full time battlefield guide in Normandy.
Reviewed By Cheever G
Wow! What an awesome tour with Stuart! My family and I did the one-day tour and it was amazing! Stuart was passionate and informative, and he truly brought the D-Day experience to life. You go on an incredible journey with Stuart, as he spins his deep knowledge of D-Day into spell-binding stories at every stop. If you want the most engaging, informative, and completely satisfying one-day Normandy tour, this is it.
8. Helixaero
Overall Ratings
5 based on 98 reviews
Helixaero is a training school helicopter pilot . Based on the airport Toussus-le-Noble , just 20 minutes from Paris, our team of instructors you will discover the pleasure of a helicopter either for a walk as a baptism of air or to take control of the aircraft during a flight initiation . Open all year join us during a few hours of discovery or for your complete training.
Reviewed By Jofo_fr - Paris, France
En 1978, je projetais la construction d'un hélicoptère avec un de mes amis. Projet jamais abouti.
En 1988, premier vol en tant que passager avec atterrissage à l'Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay...
Premier contact avec ce qui allait devenir une fascination.
Et puis le temps a passé, j'ai eu pas mal d'occasions, heliski, balades, vols découverte...
Et puis j'ai décidé de franchir le pas : objectif PPL/H.
D'abord, trouver l'endroit et les formateurs qui me conviennent (je ne sais pas si je suis vieux ou caractériel...), et tant qu'à faire, trouver une machine qui me plaise pour aller jusqu'au bout.
J'avoue que ma première rencontre avec Olivier et Benjamin m'a définitivement décidé.
Au delà de l'accueil (sans faute), c'est une rencontre humaine qui m'a intéressée tant par l'approche pédagogique que par une vraie transparence.
Donc, une fois le certificat médical obtenu, première leçon cette semaine.
Paperasse, une heure de théorie et une heure de pratique avec une météo de rêve.
Quel plaisir que cette machine, sous l’œil sécurisant d'Olivier.
45 minutes d'apprentissage tout en intelligence et en douceur (heuu, j'ai peut être un peu secoué le bouzin).
Je suis rentré chez moi avec la banane.
Même si je sais que ça ne va pas être facile, j'envisage la suite avec confiance. J'y retourne la semaine prochaine.
Alors, si vous cherchez un endroit magique, vous y êtes.
9. C La Vigne- Authentic Champagne Tour
Overall Ratings
5 based on 136 reviews
C La Vigne is a boutique company specializing in vineyards and wineries day tours to Champagne region from Paris. Our tour is intimate as we travel in a small group (maximum 6 people). You will be accompanied by an experienced and friendly wine Professional to discover the Champagne making process, get familiar with the wine tasting technique and, of course, have a leisurely day of fun!
Reviewed By NeilGrosvenor - Adelaide, Australia
Peggy was extremely knowledgeable. The first two champagne houses were entertaining and personal. The restaurant for lunch was excellent. Our tour of the region was fun and informative. The least enjoyable part was Moet and Chandon which could have been any of the really large wineries in Australia, but Peggy can't help that.
10. Falaise d'Etretat
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
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