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Free Things To Do in Normandy

If you’re looking for ideas for free things to do in Normandy, look no further. This link has some great suggestions of things to do in La Manche region of Normandy. Whether you’re on a budget or want to combine some free activities with things you pay for, there are lots of free things to do in Normandy.

The coastline and countryside of La Manche offers the ideal opportunity to hike, ramble or stroll. Coutances Tourist Office has a great resources of 36 walks that you can download. There are 22 inland and 14 coastal routes you can choose from. The leaflets for each of the walks are also available to buy in the tourist offices.

The Great Outdoors

Regnéville
Regneville
La Sienne

If you prefer the beach, then there’s plenty of fun to be had along the extensive coastline in La Manche. And it needn’t cost a penny (or euro).

Normandy beaches

Historic Sites

For history buffs there are plenty of free venues to visit. Villedieu-les-Poêles is a delightful historic town and famous for its copper industry. You can pick up a free leaflet from the tourist office which will guide you round the 35 courtyards, church and historic buildings. The visit will give you an insight into the way life used to be in this market town.

Guided Walk in Villedieu

The walled high town in Granville is also full of history with street names depicting the professions of former residents, elegant houses, the church and narrow cobbled streets.

Granville
Granville

The cathedrals at Bayeux and Coutances are free to enter and you can admire the stained glass windows and ornate architectural detail. Abbeys and chateaux tend to have an entrance fee whereas churches and cathedrals don’t. You have to pay to visit the abbey at Hambye but you can walk around the outside and get amazing views as well as walking in the woods that surround it.

Coutances
Bayeux cathedral
Bayeux cathedral

D-Day Sites

Some of the D-Day landing sites are also free. In and around Omaha Beach you can visit the peace statue (near Grandcamp Maisy), La Pointe du Hoc battlefield and visitor centre, the Ever Forward sculpture, Les Braves memorial sculpture at St Laurent-sur-Mer and the Normandy American Cemetery and visitor centre at Colleville-sur-Mer. Both the visitor centres give a wealth of information where you can watch films, view equipment and posessions, listen to stories and read about the conflict.

D-Day
D-Day
D-Day
Normandy American Cemetery

Equally at Utah beach you can view the sculptures and then take a trip to the pretty village of Sainte-Mère- Église. A leaflet from the tourist office highlights information boards around the town telling the story of D-Day. The church with it’s parachute effigy and stained glass windows is free to enter.

D-Day
Sainte-Mère-Église church in Normandy
Sainte-Mère-Église church in Normandy
Sainte-Mère-Église church in Normandy

Markets offer another wonderful free opportunity as you browse the variety of stalls. They remain very much a part of French life and tend to sell local and artisan produce.

More Free Things To Do In Normandy

Local fêtes and festivals are sometimes free during the summer months. Tourist offices often produce a publication detailing summer events. They usually include music festivals and concerts, art exhibitions, walks and museum visits.

There are so many free things to do in Normandy that you really are spoilt for choice. The local tourist offices and their websites have plenty of information to help you plan, and make the most of your stay.

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