🎉 Celebrating Normandy
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Last updated: December 2025
Normandy is a land of living Norman tradition — proudly preserved in its villages, markets, festivals, and everyday life. From cider making to religious processions, Normandy tradition is something you’ll experience in local gatherings and customs passed down through generations. This section of our blog celebrates everything that makes the region unique: rural legends, craftsmanship, seasonal produce, and community spirit.
We share stories of how Normandy’s culture is kept alive in village life, seasonal events, and annual customs. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to reconnect with the slower pace of life, you’ll find something to love in these true glimpses of local Normandy life.
📚 Read the Blogs in This Category
Moto-Cross d’Ouville: When the Manche Starts to Hum
A free national motocross event in the Manche with racing, noise, dust, fireworks and fairground lights — all just minutes from our gîte. 🏍️🌾
Jazz sous les Pommiers: Coutances Jazz Festival
A personal local guide to Jazz sous les Pommiers in Coutances. World-class jazz, busy bars, free navettes and why staying just outside town keeps the week calm. 🎷🌿
Saint-Lô Jumping International & Haras Events
World-class showjumping, serious horses and calm mornings at Saint-Lô. A focused equestrian experience, best paired with a quiet countryside stay. 🐎🌿
Fête de la Musique in Coutances: Music Without Pressure
Several nights of free live music across Coutances, from bars to municipal stages. Come and go as you please, with easy evenings out from our gîte. 🎶🍻
Traversées Tatihou Festival: Music, Tides & Time 🌊🎶
A five-day Normandy music festival shaped by tides, boats and walking. Island concerts, harbour evenings and the joy of slowing down. 🌊
Normandy’s History Is Mostly Outside
Discover non-museum things to do in Normandy, with hands-on outdoor history and alternative attractions in the Manche. 🌿
Photography Hotspots in Normandy – Why the Manche Is Better Than You Expect
From wildlife-rich marshland to historic abbeys and Mont-Saint-Michel, discover why the Manche is one of the most rewarding places for photography in Normandy. 📷
Normandy’s Seasonal Festivals & Traditions
What’s on in Normandy throughout the year? Discover festivals, village traditions, food rituals, and local life in the Manche, month by month. 🎭🍷
5 Great Day Trips Less Than 1 Hour from Coutances
Harbours, abbeys, beaches and historic towns — all easy, low-stress day trips from Coutances. Explore the Manche without rushing. 🌿🚜
Granville: A Perfect Coastal Day Out
Harbour life, Haute Ville, beaches, markets and great food — Granville is an easy, memorable coastal escape from our Normandy gîte. 🌊
Best Hidden Villages Near Coutances
Explore Normandy’s most charming hidden villages, from castle ruins to oyster huts and peaceful river paths — all an easy drive from our gîte in Nicorps. 🌿
Christmas in Normandy – Markets & Cosy Escapes
Discover La Manche’s festive charm – from glowing abbeys to seaside markets and fireside gîte escapes. Perfect for families, groups & dogs. 🎄
Normandy – Europe’s Most Desirable Region 2025
Voted the Most Desirable Region in Europe by Wanderlust readers, Normandy shines for its beauty, culture, and cuisine. Discover why you’ll love it. 🏆🇫🇷
Walking in the Footsteps of William the Conqueror – A Local’s Guide
Explore castles, abbeys and Norman heritage near Coutances. Step into history from our gîte and follow the trail of William the Conqueror. 🏰
Normandy Beyond D-Day: 20+ Unexpected Historical Gems
Castles, abbeys, mills, bunkers and lighthouses – discover La Manche’s hidden history far from the crowds. Perfect for curious explorers. 🏰🕍
Christmas in Normandy: Traditions & Food
From oysters and bûche de Noël to mulled cider and the famous trou Normand – discover festive food, traditions, and regional flair in Normandy. 🎄🦪
Granville Carnival: France’s Only UNESCO-Listed Carnival
Celebrate Granville Carnival — the only UNESCO-listed carnival in France! Satirical floats, music, and vibrant traditions await in this festive Normandy event. 🎭🎉
A Sweet Stop in Normandy: La Maison du Biscuit – Tradition, Family & French Charm
Visit La Maison du Biscuit – a beloved Normandy institution of buttery biscuits, nostalgic charm and family tradition. Perfect day trip from Coutances or Nicorps. 🍪☕
Bayeux in a Day from Coutances: The Tapestry, Old Town & Lunch
Discover Bayeux from Coutances – explore the famous Bayeux Tapestry, stroll the medieval streets and enjoy authentic Normandy cuisine. 🎨🍷
A Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel – History, Magic & Must-See Sights
Plan the perfect Normandy day trip to magical Mont-Saint-Michel – from tides and ghosts to history, food and wildlife. Just 90 minutes from the gîte! 🌊🕍
Battle of Normandy & Liberation of Coutances
A detailed, locally focused blog on how the battle and Operation Cobra shaped the region near our gîte.
Read MoreAll Things Camembert
Discover the creamy, world-famous Camembert of Normandy and its roots in the regional identity of Gavray and beyond. 🧀
Read MoreNormandy Cider Tasting
Explore cider farms and Calvados distilleries near Coutances — with delicious tastings and countryside charm. 🍏
Read MoreD-Day Beaches
A practical and emotional guide to the five landing beaches of the Normandy invasion – with maps and context.
Read MoreD-Day Key Locations
Beyond the beaches — explore bunkers, batteries, and museums that bring WWII history to life in Normandy.
Read MoreWar Cemeteries & Memorials
Reflect at the moving cemeteries and memorials across Normandy, honouring all who fell in WWII.
Read MoreTop Normandy Beaches for Kids
Safe, sandy, and ideal for families — discover the best beaches in Manche for little ones. 🏖️
Read MoreLocal Places of Interest
Castles, gardens, hidden museums, and scenic trails — all close to Holidays-Normandy. 🚗
Read MoreTop 10 Things to Do Near Coutances
From cathedrals and local markets to llama visits and secret viewpoints — our best picks! 🏰
Read MoreLocal Annual Events
Cheese fairs, jazz nights, flea markets, and fireworks — explore Normandy’s event calendar. 🎆
Read MoreCoutances Cathedral & Old Town – A Perfect Half-Day Walk
Discover Coutances, a charming Normandy town where history, gardens, and Gothic architecture meet. This easy half-day walk takes you past the stunning Coutances Cathedral, medieval lanes, and peaceful gardens — all just minutes from our gîte in Nicorps. Perfect for families, photographers, and anyone who loves exploring on foot.
Read MoreNormandy Food and Drink
From cider to cheese to apple tarts — Normandy’s food culture is worth the journey. 🍽️
Read MoreWhat to Do in Normandy
Overview of activities in Manche — beaches, food, nature, and hidden local experiences. 🌳
Read MoreExperience the Real Normandy
Planning a holiday in Normandy means more than sightseeing — it's an opportunity to take part in traditions, meet locals, and enjoy a slower, more meaningful kind of travel. We hope these posts help you discover Normandy's rural charm, heritage, and seasonal joy.
We’re always happy to share lesser-known stops near Holidays-Normandy — places with no queues, no crowds, and lots of meaning.