We already fell in love with Normandy several years ago… Back then in August 2011 we left for our first trip with Maks. He was 2.5 months old and everybody was crazy about it!”How come??? Taking a kid for a car trip around Europe???”, “He’s too small!”, “You must be crazy!”. And so, on one warm day we packed the pram, chew toys, onesies and diapers, took the car and left. That simple. We passed our friends’ house in Wiesbaden, Germany, we passed incredible Bruges with best mussels ever and reached the North of France. We started our tour of Normandy from Dieppe which wasn’t too encouraging to be honest. Not pretty, not impressive with French people who were rude to you if you couldn’t place an order in a restaurant using proper French. But after that we drove a little bit further and Normandy managed to impress us even though we saw the most part of it in the rain. We didn’t have enough time to see all the places we wanted to because more travelling was ahead. But we knew we’ll be back.
We returned to Normandy sooner than I thought… In May, after less than 4years. We walked the streets of Honfleur once again, ate mussels with blue cheese, creme brulee with crispy top and baguettes on breakfast. Normandy is a place we will surely return to again in the future. And we suggest you do the same! There’s several reasons to fall in love with it! But beware! Once you’re into it, you’ll end up checking the flight tickets and looking for special offers every once in a while!
1) HONFLEUR
One of the most remarkable places we’ve seen on our trip from 2011. 4 years later many of the locations we saw back then are still quite inspiring! It’s one of the most popular French cities to visit and I can easily understand why. A small, picturesque port, charming tenement houses and numerous restaurants serving mussels and fresh seafood. Used to be one of the favourite cities of painters such as Monet, Boudin or Courbet who immortalised Honfleur on their paintings. Nowadays it’s a must for everybody who visits Normandy. Walks around the streets here are one of the most pleasant moments, especially at night. So be sure to book your accommodation right here. Our hotel was situated on a sort of a hill and you can find it right here HERE.
2) CLIFFS IN ETRETAT
Etretat itself may not be a stunning gem such as Honfleur but the cliffs that stick out of the water look absolutely beautiful! In order to see them, you best take a tourist train right in the city centre (quite an attraction for kids too!) which will take you directly to the viewpoint. Cliffs are the biggest attraction here and they already were back in 19th century when they attracted French painters. Check this piece by Courbet from 1870. After seeing the cliffs we took a walk around the neighbourhood, we checked out the beach and stopped for a typical lunch in Normandy: mussels with French fries and pancakes for Maks.
3) LYONS- LA- FORÊT
Lyons-la-Foret was one of the first places we visited on our trip to Normandy this year. Located on our route from Giverny to the coast. Architecture typical for Normandy, peace and quiet and a picturesque main square where you can sit down, drink some coffee and chill out after a walk. One thing that you will surely notice on the square is the roof underneath which they were already bargaining in 17th century! Many buildings were built in that period which makes the city quite unique.
4) ROUEN
Compared to other cities we visited in Normandy, Rouen is a real giant! More than 110 thousand inhabitants, second biggest city after HAVRA. Rouen has it all: architecture typical for Normandy, an impressive cathedral and alleys where time seems to have stopped. Gothic Notre Dame cathedral from 12th – 14th century was a popular subject of Monet’s paintings. Monet rented a flat directly in front of the cathedral in order to be able to paint the light play on the facade properly.
5)TONNES OF RESTAURANTS!
Normandy is a paradise for every gourmand! You will find loads of restaurants and cafes here. Starting with tiny ones serving crepes and bistros, through places specialised in mussels and seafood to finish with fine dining spots. Honfleur is particularly reach in restaurants! And the Creperias will surely come in handy if you’re travelling with children – you can always buy them a quick pancake!
6) BOULANGERIES EVERYWHERE AND DELICIOUS BAKED GOODS!
Every time we go to France, just thinking about their bread and baked goods makes me happy! I love all sorts of baguettes, croissants, chocolate or almond buns and brioches. I love French sandwiches for their simplicity – buying a baguette with ham or ham and cheese is not a problem and you won’t get sauces, mayos and semi-rotten gherkins in the packet! Normandy is no exception here, like everywhere in France, there’s plenty of boulangeries here and the ones in small cities are particularly charming. Be sure to visit the bakery for breakfast or before the trip!!
7)MONET’S HOUSE AND GARDEN IN GIVERNY
The house Monet lived in for more than 30 years, impressive and surrounded by nature, is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Despite the crowds, the place still manages to look stunning – I already wrote about it HERE. If you’re travelling through France in a car, be sure to pay a visit on your way from Paris to the coast!
8) FISH MARKET IN TROUVILLE-SUR-MER
An incredible place for all fans of fish and seafood. Stands with fresh fish, lobsters, crabs, langoustines and snails. With everything a seafood lover ever dreamed about! The French buy huge platters of fresh seafood to go… or to eat in! It’s a good idea to do what they do, pick some favourites from a stand and eat it with aioli and a glass of white wine. Perfect idea for an early dinner.
9) THE FOOD !
Regardless of the destination, while I’m still in Poland, I already dream about what I’m going to eat when I get there. When we’re flying to Barcelona, I dream about sandwiches with jamon serrano, spicy patatas bravas, perfect calamares a la romana or pulpo a la gallega. When we’re going to the South of Italy, I want all sorts of pastas with tomatoes and swordfish meat. When we go to Suwalszczyzna I dream about cepellinai. Before we left for Normandy I dreamed about mussels served in various ways accompanied by French fries, French cheeses and crispy croissants for breakfast and perfect creme brulee for dessert! Add local cider or calvados if that’s your thing and you’ll get a remarkable culinary paradise.
10) ZOO IN LA CERZA
A place your kids will surely like. Adults should be satisfied too. What’s so special about a zoo? There are zoos in Warsaw, Poznań and Wrocław! La Cerza zoo is special because you can not only visit it, walk around and see the animals but also stay for the night! In a place with a view of kangaroos, rhinos, chimpanzees and other specimens living in this unusual zoo. Add a huge area which you can explore on foot and in a little train, opportunities to feed giraffes and you’ll get a place every kid wants to go to. I wrote more about La Cerza zoo HERE.
Normandy is a great destination for a prolonged weekend or one of the trips if you’re staying in France for a while. How to get there? Take a reasonably priced plane to Paris then rent a car and head towards Normandy taking a road which will allow you to see all the interesting places! Check the weather and go! 🙂
*We visited France thanks to Atout France – French Tourism Development Agency and Regional Tourist Committee of Normandy .
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