Weather in Normandy

About Normandy

Normandy's dramatic cliff coastlines frame D-Day beaches where history was remade. Inland, apple orchards and half-timbered villages define pastoral French charm. This is where Vikings once invaded; where Impressionist painters found light; where modern Europe was born.

Country

France

Best months to visit

July, August

Currency

EUR

Language

French

Things to do in Normandy

Visit D-Day beaches and memorial museums Explore Rouen Cathedral (Monet painted it repeatedly) Wander Honfleur's picturesque old harbour Hike the chalky coastline cliff walks Browse medieval Dinan's half-timbered streets Taste Calvados and Normandy cider

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

Cold, with some rainy days.

February

10C

Cool, with some rainy days.

March

12C

Cool, with some rainy days.

April

15C

Cool, with some rainy days.

May

17C

Cool, with some rainy days.

June

21C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

July

23C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

August

23C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

September

21C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

October

17C

Cool, with some rainy days.

November

12C

Cool, with some rainy days.

December

10C

Cool, with some rainy days.

Normandy carries the weight of history more visibly than almost anywhere in France — the D-Day beaches and the American, British and Canadian cemeteries above them are profoundly moving, while Bayeux's medieval tapestry and Rouen's Gothic cathedral tell an older story altogether. Add chalky cliffs, apple orchards turned into cider and calvados, and fishing ports like Honfleur, and it rewards a slow, varied road trip.

Best areas to stay in Normandy

D-Day Beaches

The five landing beaches (Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword) and their museums, memorials and cemeteries.

Bayeux

A well-preserved medieval town home to the famous 11th-century tapestry and a Gothic cathedral.

Honfleur

A picturesque old port with a slate-fronted harbour, popular with painters and day-trippers from Paris.

Etretat & the Alabaster Coast

Dramatic white cliffs and natural arches, a favourite subject of Impressionist painters.

Getting to Normandy

✈

Flights

Ferries run from Portsmouth or Poole to Caen, Cherbourg or Le Havre; Caen and Deauville also have small airports with limited routes.

⏱

From London

~6-7 hours by ferry from Portsmouth to Caen; around 2-3 hours by car once across the Channel.

🚕

Getting around

A car is strongly recommended — the D-Day sites and coastal towns are spread out with limited public transport between them.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need to see the D-Day beaches?

A full day covers the main sites (Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc and Arromanches), though two days allows for a more thorough visit including the British and Canadian sectors.

Is Bayeux a good base for visiting the beaches?

Yes — it's close to the main D-Day sites, has its own famous tapestry and cathedral, and was largely undamaged during the war, retaining its medieval centre.

What is Etretat known for?

Dramatic white chalk cliffs and natural arches along the coast, similar in style to Dover but with a more dramatic profile, immortalised by Impressionist painters including Monet.

Is Normandy easy to reach from the UK?

Yes — ferries run from Portsmouth and Poole to Caen, Cherbourg and Le Havre, making it one of the easiest French regions to reach with a car.

What food and drink is Normandy known for?

Camembert and other soft cheeses, cider and calvados (apple brandy), and seafood along the coast, particularly mussels and oysters around Honfleur and the Cotentin peninsula.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Visited the American Cemetery and Omaha Beach on the anniversary and it was incredibly moving — the museum at Arromanches gave brilliant context for the wider invasion.

Edward G. · June 2024

★★★★★

Bayeux made a perfect base — the tapestry was fascinating and we could reach all the main D-Day sites within 30-40 minutes by car.

Lucie M. · September 2023

★★★★☆

Drove the coast from Honfleur to Etretat and the cliffs were stunning, especially at sunset. Stocked up on cider and camembert along the way.

Adam R. · May 2024