Explore Normandy from Our Gîte (Local Places of Interest)

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Last updated: October 2025

Staying at our gîte in Normandy means you’re perfectly placed to explore some of the region’s best attractions. Whether you’re looking for sandy beaches, historic landmarks, or charming villages, there’s something for everyone—all within an hour 1/2 or less from our door.

Here’s our guide to the top places to visit during your stay at Holidays-Normandy.

🗺️ Historic and Cultural Day Trips

Le Mont-Saint-Michel

One of the most famous landmarks in France, Mont-Saint-Michel is a must-see. Wander its medieval streets, visit the abbey, and enjoy stunning coastal views.

🚗 Distance from the gîte: About 1 hour 1/2.

See: https://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/

🗺️ Bayeux – a "must-visit"

Home of the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry, this charming town is steeped in medieval history. Explore the old town, cathedral, and enjoy a coffee in the market square.

🚗 Distance: About 1 hour.

See: https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/la-tapisserie-de-bayeux/

🏰 Day Trip to Caen

Visit Caen for history, shopping, and culture & explore the castle, abbeys, and museums.

Caen is a port city and capital of Calvados department in northern France's Normandy region. Its centre features the Château de Caen, a circa-1060 castle built by William the Conqueror. It stands on a hill flanked by the Romanesque abbeys of Saint-Étienne and Sainte-Trinité, which both date from the same period.

🚗 Distance: 1 hour

See: https://www.caenlamer-tourisme.fr/

🗺️ Hambye Abbey

Discover peaceful ruins in a riverside setting at Hambye Abbey—just a short drive away. It’s a perfect spot for history lovers and photographers.

🚗 Distance: 25 minutes.

See: https://abbaye-hambye.manche.fr/

🕊️ Visit Saint-Lô: History & Shopping

Saint-Lô is the second largest city of Manche after Cherbourg. It is known for its ramparts and its national stud farm and is well worth a visit.

You can discover Saint-Lô’s medieval ramparts, national stud farm, and local shops.

🚗 Distance: 30 minutes

See: https://www.saint-lo.fr/

D-Day & WWII History

🗺️ D-Day Landing beaches

D-Day Landing beaches - The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day (after the military term), it is the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of France, and the rest of Western Europe, and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.

🚗 Distance: Approx. 1 hour

See: https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/discover/history/d-day-and-the-battle-of-normandy/d-day-landing-beaches/

🇬🇧 British Normandy Memorial Day Trip

Visit the British Normandy Memorial near Gold Beach, a tribute to D-Day forces. The British Normandy Memorial was officially opened on 6 June 2021 by His Majesty The King (then Prince of Wales) as Royal Patron of the Normandy Memorial Trust. The Memorial records the names of the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944.

🚗 Distance: approx 1 hour 20 minutes

See: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/

🇺🇸 Normandy American Cemetery Visit

Pay tribute at the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. Located on the coast, between Arromanches and Grandcamp Maisy, this vast 70 hectare site overlooks Omaha beach. It reunites the graves of 9,387 soldiers fallen in combat. The chapel, Memorial and the Walls of the Missing and garden complete the site. The Visitor Center pays homage to the courage and the skill that were required to conduct Operation Overlord and to ensure Europe's liberation, together with the ultimate sacrifice made by those who are laid to rest within this site. Visit lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.

🚗 Distance: Approx 1 hour

See: https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/museums-and-heritage-sites/normandy-american-cemetery/

Coastal Towns & Seaside

🌊 Day Trip to Granville

Known as the “Monaco of the North,” Granville is a vibrant coastal town with shops, seafood restaurants, charming old streets and the Christian Dior Museum.

🚗 Distance: 40 minutes.

See: https://www.tourisme-granville-terre-mer.com/

See: http://www.musee-dior-granville.com/

⚓ Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin - Cherbourg is an important commercial, ferry and military port on the English Channel.

🚗 Distance: Approx. 1 hour

See: https://www.encotentin.fr/en/cherbourg/

🍽️ Food Markets and Local Life

🏙️ Discover Coutances: Cathedral & Markets

Explore Coutances: visit the Gothic cathedral, markets, and Norman culture. Coutances is located in the west of the Cotentin, just 12 km from the west coast. The city centre is located on a rocky promontory with the cathedral as the highest point. The topography of the city has sometimes earned it the nickname "Toledo of the Cotentin".

🚗 Distance: 5-minute drive from our gîte

Coutances Market - Visit on Thursdays and Saturdays for fresh produce, cheese, bread, and seafood. It’s the perfect place to stock up for a picnic or BBQ back at the gîte.

See: https://www.tourisme-coutances.fr/

🔔 Visit Villedieu-les-Poêles-Rouffigny: Copper Town

Explore Villedieu-les-Poêles-Rouffigny, Normandy's copper town with artisan workshops and bell foundry. It is also famous for its artisanal manufacture of large church bells.

🚗 Distance: 45-minute drive

See: https://www.villedieu-les-poeles.fr/

🌿 Nature & Outdoor Activities

🌿 Discover the Vire Valley

The Vire valley and its hilly countryside, ideal for hiking and river activities. Cycling enthusiasts will also find what they are looking for and can take a section of the Vélomaritime. Perfect for walks, cycling, and riverside picnics.

🚗 Distance: 40 minutes

See: https://www.lavelomaritime.com/suggested-bike-trip/inspiring-ideas/weekend-exploring-the-vire-valley

🏞️ Les Roches de Ham Cliffs & Viewpoints

Les Roches de Ham - A real gem, this natural setting invites you to go for walks with a magnificent panoramic view of the Vire valley. Kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, trail running… discover the many activities to do in the great outdoors.

🚗 Distance: 30 minutes

See: https://saintlo-tourisme.fr/annuaire-du-patrimoine/les-roches-de-ham

📍 Unusual Places & Unique Local Sights

🌳 Visit Taxus Baccata de Nicorps

In the village of Nicorps, visit the Taxus Baccata, an ancient yew tree thought to be over 1,000 years old. A peaceful stop for nature lovers, and we recommend giving the tree a big hug.

🚶🚶🏾‍♀️ Distance: just a 10-minute walk from the gîte

See: https://www.monumentaltrees.com/fr/fra/manche/nicorps/2656_eglisesaintcorneille/

📍 Visit Le Souterroscope des Ardoisières

Discover Normandy’s underground heritage at Le Souterroscope des Ardoisières in Caumont-l’Éventé. This former slate mine has been transformed into a fascinating tourist site with sound-and-light installations showing how miners once worked beneath the earth.

Go and enjoy an unusual visit. The visit lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours and is guided by loudspeakers.

🚗 Distance from gîte: About 50 minutes.

See: https://www.lesouterroscopedesardoisières.fr

💡 More Ideas for Your Normandy Holiday

Our Normandy vacation rental is perfectly located for easy Normandy sightseeing and relaxed rural living. From our peaceful gîte you can plan a full Mont-Saint-Michel day trip, visit historic towns like Bayeux and Caen, or explore the sandy beaches of Hauteville-sur-Mer and Agon-Coutainville. Within ninety minutes you can discover medieval abbeys, charming coastal resorts, and some of the best sightseeing in Normandy.

Staying at Holidays-Normandy makes exploring simple — drive scenic country roads, follow the Normandy sightseeing route through châteaux and villages, and enjoy local food markets bursting with cheese, cider and Calvados. Outdoor enthusiasts can walk or cycle through the Vire Valley, one of the region’s most beautiful landscapes, while photographers will love the views from Les Roches de Ham.

After a busy day of discovery, return to your Normandy vacation rental to relax in the garden and plan your next adventure. Whether you’re visiting as a family, couple or small group, our gîte is the perfect base for Normandy sightseeing and unforgettable day trips across this historic and beautiful region.

Ready to explore Normandy?