Let Normandy put the spring in your step

What better place to brush off winter lethargy and enjoy the outdoors than in France’s beautiful Normandy? Just a short hop across the Channel, you’re spoilt for choice of springtime attractions in this coastal region, unfolding the minute you arrive in port and enticingly calm before the summer crowds arrive. It’s France at its best… right on your doorstep.

Having been listed as one of the world’s top destinations to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet, CNN, Frommer’s and Airbnb, Normandy remains at the top of the list for 2023. If you’re an art lover, it’s the year to come and explore – spring will mark the start of the Impressionist Festival (External link) , which takes place across the region from 3 April to 6 September and is one of the largest cultural events taking place in France next year.

Spring is also the perfect time to discover or rediscover Normandy’s prettiest villages (External link) , which all look idyllic in springtime. Six Norman villages have been awarded the Plus Beaux Villages de France label, including the fishing port of Barfleur (External link) in Manche with its granite houses and quays. Legend has it that the boat that carried William, Duke of Normandy, was built here. Meanwhile, inland in Calvados, villages rarely come prettier than Beuvron-en-Auge (External link) , quintessentially Norman with colourful timber-framed houses, quaint cafés, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of brocantes and antique dealers.

Speaking of favourite villages, Normandy’s Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (External link) was actually voted France’s favourite village in 2019 (Le Village Préféré des Français) out of a line-up spanning the whole country. Clinging to the end of the Cotentin Peninsula, it’s a fishing port famous for its top-class oysters and beautiful marina of gleaming boats.

If this time of year has you hankering for the Great Outdoors, the GR21 – stretching all along the Alabaster Coast – was voted France’s favourite hiking trail last month, and for good reason. It runs 186km from Le Havre to Le Tréport and takes in Normandy’s classic coastline, green countryside, architecture and Second World War sites. You can admire the best of the stunning white cliffs, views painted by Monet at Étretat and a wealth of history.

Another of Normandy’s accolades has been won by Dieppe’s Saturday-morning market, which stretches for over two kilometres and was recently voted second best in the whole country in the ‘Votre Plus Beau Marché’ competition. With its deep harbour protected by white cliffs, Dieppe has long been a favourite for cross-Channel visitors.

Did you know that Normandy’s capital of Rouen (External link) has the highest number of listed buildings and monuments outside Paris? A new museum housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings, the Aître Saint-Maclou, will open its doors to the public in early 2020, showcasing local and traditional arts and crafts.

Several major food and drink festivals (External link) are taking place in Normandy celebrating Normandy’s AOC products as the famous Camembert. Take the time to savour the region’s world-famous specialities and meet the artisans at the helm of their production.

Spring will have you falling completely in love with Normandy’s parks and gardens (External link) , such as Monet’s gardens at Giverny (External link) . The dreamy ponds of waterlilies created by the father of Impressionism gave him his greatest artistic inspiration – and thanks to generous donations the flower garden and Japanese-inspired water garden have both been beautifully restored.

The best way of exploring? In the comfort of your own car, packed with everything you need. Normandy is easily accessible via Brittany Ferries’ ports of Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth. What’s more, their superb choice of spring breaks, make getting there great value too!

Book now with Brittany Ferries (External link)
Plan your trip to Normandy with Normandy Tourism (External link)

Normandy 

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