7 Reasons To Add Normandy, France, to Your Travel List

Normandy, France, is not a city but a region of northern France best known as the site of invasions and liberation during World War II. While its historical significance is a key reason for visiting, the area offers much more.

In addition to its epic history, the area features captivating landscapes, beautiful shorelines, medieval architecture, charming villages, local culinary delights, and welcoming locals.

I’ll review how to travel to Normandy, lodging options in the area, and all the reasons you might consider visiting the region. I’ll also highlight your options for using points and miles to help offset the cost of the journey.

1. Historical Significance

The first reason to visit Normandy, France, is its historical significance.

The area played a key role during the invasions of France during World War II. The landings on the beaches of Normandy were a turning point in the war, and the thousands of American servicemen and women who gave their lives are buried there.

Exploring the historical sites should include visiting some of the beaches, the German bunkers, the memorial, the cemetery, the dramatic cliffs, and the museum. Hiring a guide or taking an organized tour is recommended to learn as much as possible and maximize your time at the sites.

You can book tours of the sites leaving from the nearby city of Bayeux or at the sites themselves if you’re arriving by car. Viator offers several options for half-day and full-day excursions in small groups or private tours.

The entire Normandy region offers dozens of sites dedicated to war remembrance. According to the Normandy Tourism site, 29 cemeteries, 21 memorials, and 44 museums commemorate D-Day in addition to the beaches.

2. Gratitude of the Locals

You may never visit a destination where the locals are more grateful to Americans and the Allies than in Normandy.

It is a moving experience and one you won’t forget. I recommend the movie “The Girl Who Wore Freedom” to learn more about the extraordinary gratitude and respect expressed by the people in this area of France to the Americans, Canadians, and British. Each year, there is a homecoming and celebration to remember and show appreciation to those who served and fought to liberate France.

This gratitude is expressed daily and passed on from generation to generation, so even the youngest have the same extraordinary commitment.

If you want to feel proud to be an American, visit the Normandy region.

3. You Can Use Points and Miles To Offset the Trip Cost

While using miles and points to travel to Normandy is challenging, using them to fly across the Atlantic can considerably reduce the total cost of the trip.

Here are suggestions for flying to Paris and ideas for traveling to Normandy.

Flying to Paris

Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the largest airport close to Normandy. Fortunately, reaching Paris from the U.S. is possible using points or miles.

Here are some ideas for using miles to fly to Paris.

• Redeem 88,000 ANA Mileage Club miles to book United Polaris round-trip from the U.S. to Paris (CDG). United flies nonstop from Chicago (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), Newark (EWR), and Washington, D.C. (IAD).
• Redeem 50,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points to book Delta One one-way from the U.S. to Paris (CDG).
• Redeem 57,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book American and British Airways in business class one-way from the U.S. to Paris (CDG).
• Redeem 70,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points to book United and Lufthansa or Brussels Airlines in mixed classes one-way from Chicago (ORD) to Paris (CDG).

There are too many ways to fly to Paris using miles to elaborate here. This article goes into more detail on the best ways to fly to Paris using miles and points.

One of our favorite cards for transferring rewards to airline and hotel partners to book award flights and free hotel nights is the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card. The card earns elevated rewards on travel, dining, and online grocery purchases and has excellent travel insurance benefits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 28.24% Variable

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Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel^SM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel^SM
• 10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

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• APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Normandy by Train

Depending on the departing station, the train ride from Paris to Normandy takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

You can take the train to Bayeux and catch a tour from there. Viator offers Normandy tours that start at less than $100 per person. Some tours include pickup, or you can walk to a popular tour meeting place just 10 minutes from the Bayeux train station. Booking your tour in advance is necessary.

Touring the landing beaches on a day trip from Paris is possible, but there is so much to see in the area that you may want to stay longer.

Booking a train package is also an option. This package includes a round-trip train from Paris, ground transportation, excursions to other sights, and tours of the beaches, bunkers, and cemetery. Expect to pay around $300 per person.

Normandy by Cruise

The Seine River creates a natural path for reaching the north of France. Cruising to visit the Normandy region is a great option.

One unique way to travel to Normandy is to book a river cruise up the Seine. A 6-day, 5-night, all-inclusive cruise that starts and ends in Paris can cost around $1,000 to $1,500 per person.

CrosiEurope (pictured above) offers a cruise that includes shore excursions to villages along the route, a full tour of the landing beaches at Normandy, and all ground transportation.

Normandy by Bus or Car

A bus from Paris to Normandy (Bayeux) takes less than 3 hours and costs around $20 round-trip. En route, you may need to change from the bus to the train, but this is one of the least expensive travel options.

Finally, renting a car is one of the best ways to get to Normandy and explore the surrounding area. It allows you to stop during the journey and easily get between sights, which is a solid option.

To play with different transportation modes from your Paris departure point, Rome2Rio always provides options with the corresponding details, including pricing.

Bottom Line:

The best way to reach Normandy is to fly to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), then drive, take the train, cruise, or take a bus. Normandy is about 3 hours north of Paris.

4. You Can Book Lodging With Points and Card Offers

While there are few options for booking lodging with hotel loyalty points near the Normandy beaches, several properties in the Normandy prefecture region offer stellar accommodations. You can also use hotel loyalty points or flexible card rewards.

Hilton

Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville, an SLH Hotel, is a boutique hotel that combines history with modern amenities. This renovated, centuries-old manor house promises a unique experience. Rooms are available from 65,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Hilton Garden Inn Le Havre Centre is on the marina and a short walk to all the sights in Le Havre. You can book rooms starting at 32,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Hyatt

Though it’s not near the Normandy beaches, you can reach Bayeux station by train from the Hyatt Place Rouen, the closest Hyatt property. The hotel offers an on-site wellness experience with a pool, sauna, and steam room. Rouen is a medieval port city on the Seine River known for its Gothic cathedrals, half-timbered structures, and pedestrian walkways. You can book rooms starting at 5,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

IHG

You’ll find Holiday Inn Express properties in the towns of Rouen and Caen, the Caen property being the closest to the Normandy beaches. If you’re planning a road trip to Normandy, these 2 properties are affordable and in the area. The Holiday Inn Express Rouen room rates start at 15,000 IHG One Rewards points per night, and the Holiday Inn Express Caen-Epron from 20,000 points per night.

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and the Hotel Collection

If you prefer a luxury experience, Chateau d’Audrieu, a Fine Hotels + Resorts hotel property in Audrieu, is close to Bayeux, which makes access to the Normandy beaches convenient. The Platinum Card^® from American Express has an up to $200 annual hotel credit and several on-site perks. Amex Platinum card members receive a $100 on-site amenity credit, daily breakfast for 2, 4 p.m. checkout, and (when available), early check-in and a room upgrade upon arrival.

The La Ferme Saint Simeon in Honfleur and Cures Marines Hotel & Spa Trouville in Trouville-sur-Mer are luxury properties in the Hotel Collection that you can book with American Express Membership Rewards points. With a 2-night minimum stay, Amex Platinum cardmembers receive a $100 on-site amenity credit, and (when available) early check-in, late checkout, and an upgraded room on arrival.

Hotels must be prepaid using points, charged to the card, or a combination, and booked through AmexTravel.com. Prices for these luxury properties vary by date.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
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• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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Other Lodging

Affordable boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and casual lodging are prevalent in the villages and towns surrounding the Normandy beaches. If you have a travel rewards card, you could cover some of your lodging costs for these properties with hotel and travel statement credits.

Here are a few to consider:

• $300 annual travel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®
• $300 annual travel credit with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card when booking through Capital One Travel
• $300 annual hotel credit with the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card when booking through Citi Travel
• Up to $200 in Delta Stays credits with select Delta co-branded credit cards.
• Up to $200 in hotel statement credits for United Hotels or Renowned Hotels and Resorts with select United co-branded credit cards.
• $50 statement credit on the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card when booking a hotel with Chase Travel

5. Coastline

One highlight of the Normandy region is the majestic coastlines.

Fortunately, during a tour of the Normandy beaches, you’ll experience the grandness of the coastlines. It’s possible to go hiking, meander the trails leading to the World War II bunkers, and look out at the cliffs scaled by Allied heroes who climbed them to face the enemy.

In addition to the historic beaches, don’t miss the incredible shoreline and trails on the Cotentin Peninsula, the cliffs of Étretat, and the seaside town of the same name.

6. Villages

When visiting Normandy, take time to visit the surrounding villages.

In addition to the historical sites in Normandy, the charming villages in the area are worth visiting.

Rouen is a beautiful town to explore. On the banks of the Seine, it may be most famous for the depictions of its famous cathedral in a Monet painting. The Joan of Arc museum and France’s oldest inn, La Couronne, are here. If you miss visiting Rouen during your Normandy trip, it’s just a 1 1/2-hour train ride from Paris, a nice day trip next time you’re there.

Bayeux is close to the Normandy beaches and dates back to ancient Rome, where it was a joint settlement of the Gauls and Romans in the first century B.C. A famous tapestry (over 230 feet in length) depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066 resides in the town and is one of the most popular attractions. The stunning Bayeux Cathedral and Notre Dame Cathedral are also worth seeing.

World War II destroyed much of Caen, but its iconic structures survived. The renovated town is relaxing with plenty of greenery, a bird sanctuary, and botanical gardens. Ornate gardens surround its medieval castle and complement its hiking trails. Caen is near the Normandy beaches and within driving distance to Bayeux, or you can take the bus or train.

Mont St. Michel is a magical destination. The abbey was carved into the rock on an island accessible at low tide. Explore the city and the cathedral, and walk along the city’s walls. The site is about 80 minutes from Bayeux and is worth the drive.

Hot Tip:

Did you know you can book a day trip to Mont St. Michel from Paris? Taking a regional train is lengthy, but several companies, including Viator, offer small-group and private day tours to visit this incredible site.

7. Food and Drinks

Northern French cuisine includes fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, local beers, cider, hearty meat dishes, and stews.

Fresh seafood is a staple in Normandy. Shellfish, including mussels, scallops, oysters, prawns, and clams, are good choices, but crabs and lobster are also often available. When it comes to fish, choose local sole or herring.

When in Normandy, you must try the local cheeses. These include Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l’Évêque, Livarot, and Neufchâtel, but many other French varieties are produced there. If you’ve rented a car, consider doing the Normandy cheese route. Viator also has a guided tour that includes the medieval sites around Rouen.

Beer and cider are what’s brewing in Normandy. Although the cider industry outshines beer production, the number of artisanal brewers is growing. You’ll find every type of beer produced in the region, so try your favorite style. The classic cidre de Normandie is a good selection for your first taste of locally made cider. Apple brandy is also a popular drink. Here’s a quick guide on what to drink in Normandy.

Hearty foods like rabbit stew, potjevleesch (jellied meat pot), and Flemish carbonnade, a savory beef stew, will fill your tummy. Locally raised lamb is also widely served.

Apples are widely grown in the region. Enjoy fresh seafood or a hearty meal, and top it off with an apple-based dessert. Any of the area’s apple desserts are delicious!

Final Thoughts

A trip to Normandy can be a significant journey. Fortunately, the area offers a balance of historical prominence, beautiful landscapes, ancient architecture, gastronomical richness, and welcoming residents.

Even if you’re not a history buff, the region delivers a worthwhile experience.

The next time you’re in Paris, plan a few extra days to visit the Normandy region. You’ll be grateful you made the trip.