Normandy

Normandy's coastline tells the story of World War II's most pivotal moment. But beyond the beaches, this region offers extraordinary cuisine, some of France's most dramatic scenery, and a creative heritage that gave birth to Impressionism. Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and Pointe du Hoc remain deeply moving places where the weight of history is palpable — the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, with its 9,387 white marble crosses overlooking the sea, is one of the most powerful memorial sites in the world. Inland, the Bayeux Tapestry — a 70-meter embroidered chronicle of the Norman conquest of England in 1066 — is far more impressive in person than any reproduction suggests. The Etretat cliffs, with their colossal natural arches plunging into the English Channel, captivated Monet and continue to stun visitors. Honfleur, the picture-perfect harbor town where Impressionism was born, offers cobbled streets, timber-framed houses, and outstanding seafood restaurants along the Vieux Bassin. Norman gastronomy is a world unto itself: Camembert, Pont-l'Eveque, and Livarot cheeses produced on local farms; fresh oysters from the coast; apple-based calvados and cidre pressed from ancient orchards; and the famous tarte normande. For luxury accommodations, La Ferme Saint Simeon in Honfleur — once the gathering place of the Impressionists — offers exquisite rooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Deauville and Trouville on the Cote Fleurie provide elegant seaside retreats with Belle Epoque grandeur. Allow at least two to three days to do justice to this region — it rewards slow, unhurried exploration.

Highlights