Guide to Normandy

The Region of Normandy: Historic and Lush

The Normandy region is situated between the Channel and the Paris basin and has been the welcoming harbour of civilisations through the Seine Valley to Paris. It comprises the departments of Seine-Maritime, Eure, Calvados, Manche and Orne and is best known for its coasts, green meadows, camembert cheese and delicious cider.

Forever Historical

Monuments, abbeys, arts and crafts all testify of these influences; Rouen its capital with 100 bell-towers and half-timbered houses, the UNESCO listed Mont St Michel, the Bec-Hellouin abbey, Honfleur and its many painters, the unforgettable Bayeux tapestry, the famous 'harras' (stud farms) of the Orne. History meets geography with the D-Day beaches, the memorials and the museum in Caen, and in 2024 we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the landings in Arromanches.
Its pleasantness has made Normandy the home of arts, amongst them painting and literature. Monet, Pissarro, Corneille, Maupassant, Flaubert, Victor Hugo and Dumas 'père', have found inspiration in this peaceful region.

Normandy welcomes many events all year around; international nautical, musical and cinematic events such as 'Les Voiles de la Liberté', 'Jazz sous les Pommiers' in Coutances, the movie festivals in Cabourg and Deauville, where one can enjoy horse races.
The cuisine on the coast typically includes seafood beautifully prepared in the local fashion. Let's not forget the green bocage, its landscape of meadows enlaced by little roads, and its products; butter, 32 cheeses including the classic Camembert, delicious cidre, dairy cream (creme fraîche), and magnificent apple pastries.

International Celebrity Endorsement

Global superstar and singer Madonna was raving about the region while on stage at a concert in Paris in autumn 2023. During one of her shows, the pop star surprisingly declared her love of Normandy, its cows and its butter. “I’m going to move to Normandy. I’m going to start milking cows, just to get that butter,” the American singer told her fans". But Normandy is also famous for its prepared cooked meats like Caen tripe and Vire andouille, and its Calvados apple brandy.

Accessibility and Lifestyle

If you're planning to move to this corner of France, then the close proximity to the UK would be a major advantage as it ensures that you are never too far away from your family and loved ones there. The region is easily accessible with excellent transport links, such as ports, trains, and motorways. Normandy is a perfect blend of accessibility and beauty with its stunning beaches, peaceful lifestyle, and amiable locals.

Architectural Heritage and Real Estate

The region is renowned for its beautiful half-timbered farm buildings, Manor houses with slated rooves, classic chateaux, mansions, and traditional stone houses. There are numerous smallholdings and farmhouses available in the region, ideal for those who love the outdoors and especially for equestrian lovers. Additionally, there are plenty of properties suitable for restoration, Bed and Breakfast, gite and hospitality projects.

Facts and Figures

• Capital city: Rouen
• Population: 3.3 million people (around 5% of France's population, approximately 68 million)
• Area: 30,000 square kilometres (11,580 square miles), approx. 5.4% of France's total area
• Density: About 110 inhabitants per square kilometre, below France’s national average of 123

Tourism Information

• Number of Tourists per Year: Approximately 6 million
• Km of Coastline: Approximately 600 km
• Average Sunshine Hours per Year: Around 1,800 hours
• Approx Châteaux in the Region: Over 100 châteaux
• Most Famous Landmark: Mont-Saint-Michel
• Golf Courses in the Region: Over 40 golf courses

Getting to Normandy

The main cities are Rouen, Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg, and Évreux. They can be accessed using the road network (motorways, national and departmental roads), the train network, or by air. Here's a list of the region's airports and main train stations.

Airports

• Caen – Carpiquet Airport
• Deauville – Normandie Airport
• Le Havre – Octeville Airport

Main Train Stations

• Rouen-Rive-Droite
• Caen Station
• Le Havre Station
• Cherbourg Station
• Évreux-Normandie Station

Regional Tourist Hotspots

• Mont-Saint-Michel
• D-Day landing beaches
• Bayeux
• Étretat
• Honfleur
• Monet Foundation in Giverny
• Rouen
• Deauville

Regional Nature Parks

• Parc naturel régional des Boucles de la Seine-Normande
• Parc naturel régional du Perche
• Parc naturel régional Normandie-Maine

UNESCO Sites in the Region

• Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay
• Le Havre

Economic Information

• Economic Strength: Normandy is a significant contributor to France's economy, blending traditional sectors like agriculture and maritime trade with modern industries such as energy and pharmaceuticals, and is renowned for its dairy products, seafood, and tourism.
• Gross Domestic Product: €90 billion (2022), accounting for around 4-5% of France's GDP
• Economy: Services 72% (tourism, healthcare, retail, public services), industry 21% (energy, automotive, pharmaceuticals, logistics) and agriculture with 7% (dairy, cider, seafood)
• Unemployment Rate: Approximately 7.5% (France’s national rate = 7.2%)
• Universities and Grandes Écoles: Notable institutions include the University of Caen Normandy, University of Rouen Normandy, University of Le Havre Normandy, EM Normandie Business School, INSA Rouen Normandie, and ESITC Caen.
• Regional Specialties: Normandy is famous for its dairy products like Camembert cheese, cider and Calvados; seafood such as oysters and scallops; pastries like Teurgoule; meat dishes including Lamb Pré-Salé, and apples used in various culinary applications.

Bienvenue in Normandy

Normandy is a popular destination for people who want to purchase a second home in the country. Property prices are more affordable compared to those in the Dordogne and Occitanie, although you can expect to pay a premium if you want to be closer to the coast. Normandy is easy and quick to access to by rail, ferry, or road, for a few hours, a quiet holiday or for a lifetime, just ask Madonna, she loves it here!

Click on the links on this page to learn about a specific department, use our handy draw map to narrow your search and browse through our properties for sale in Normandy.