Visit the Normandie region

Modern, intensely cultural and close to the sea, Caen is a city steeped in history. Formerly the residence of William the Conqueror, crowned King of England in 1066, it is heir to a prestigious past symbolized by its vast citadel, created in 1060, and its two abbeys. Start your visit by surveying the castle ramparts, which offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the town. Then continue your journey into the past and across the centuries at the Mémorial de Caen, housed in a former bunker just a stone's throw from the D-Day landing beaches. Along a sloping ramp, you'll find a glimpse of the interwar period, the rise of fascism, the Second World War and the Battle of Normandie.

Located on the Seine estuary, Honfleur is a delicate, renowned seaside resort where you can combine the pleasures of relaxation and discovery. Walk in the footsteps of the Impressionist painters in the Vieux Bassin district, lined with slate-covered houses dating from the ^16th to ^18th centuries that inspired painters such as Eugène Boudin, a native of the town, Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet.

Also take a look at the ^15th-century church of Sainte-Catherine, with its astonishing vaulted wooden structure, built by shipyard workers. Finally, bathe in the iodized air of the sandy beaches surrounding the town. Unless you're in the mood to venture out on the surrounding hiking trails.

Discover this medieval and episcopal city, whose monuments were miraculously spared by the bombardments of the Second World War. The capital of the Bessin region is particularly noteworthy for its sumptuous Notre-Dame de Bayeux cathedral, built in the Norman Romanesque and Gothic styles and listed as a historic monument in 1862. For centuries, this imposing religious edifice has preserved the famous Bayeux tapestry, the town's other pride and joy, which is now on display at the Centre Guillaume-le-Conquérant. Produced in the ^11th century and nearly 70 meters long, this giant embroidery tells the story of the Norman conquest of England and their victory over King Harold. Recognized as the largest comic book in the world, it has been listed in the international "Memory of the World" register by UNESCO since 2007.

Monte-Carlo is not alone in having its own rock. Granville can also boast this privilege, which has earned the former corsair town, fortified by the English in the ^15th century, its nickname. Since the ^19th century, this former cod port has established itself as a leading seaside resort on the English Channel coast, as well as a thalassotherapy center where you can recharge your batteries. Its beautiful sandy beaches, seawater swimming pool and numerous activities make it a very pleasant destination in summer.

And if you've got your sea legs, don't hesitate to embark on a traditional sailboat for the Chausey Islands. Over 350 islets are counted at low tide, but only the main island is inhabited and accessible to tourists.

The region's most popular tourist site, Mont-Saint-Michel attracts over two and a half million visitors every year. From the Hundred Years' War to the French Revolution, this timeless rock will take you back through the centuries as you climb the 350 steps leading to its magnificent abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1862. Mont-Saint-Michel has been a place of pilgrimage, a fortress of war, a revolutionary prison and a source of inspiration for many artists... The more adventurous among you can also venture into its bay, reputed to be dangerous due to quicksand, provided you hire a sworn guide.