Heritage sites in Normandy

Normandy's Heritage Trail

Normandy's history spans from medieval strongholds to pivotal World War II landmarks. This collection features the UNESCO-listed Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey and its surrounding chapels, alongside the 11th-century Bayeux Cathedral and the fortified castles of Caen and Falaise. Military history is preserved at the Longues-sur-Mer battery and the Normandy American Cemetery. Coastal heritage is highlighted by the Gatteville lighthouse and the Moulin de Moidrey, while Sainte-Mère-Église marks the site of airborne operations during the D-Day landings.

Normandy's Heritage Trail — Map

Jordiferrer / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is an abbey located within the city and island of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, in the department of Manche.

Dennis Jarvis / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Longues-sur-Mer battery

The Longues-sur-Mer battery is a World War II German coastal artillery battery approximately 1 km north of the village of Longues-sur-Mer…

Nico 88 / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, that honors…

chisloup / CC BY 3.0

D

Église Saint-Pierre

A 15th-century Roman Catholic parish church located on the island of Mont-Saint-Michel, featuring a statue of Saint Michael and serving as the primary place of worship for the local community.

Marianne Casamance / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Bayeux Cathedral

Bayeux Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux, is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Bayeux in Normandy,…

Karldupart / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Château de Caen

The Château de Caen is a castle in the Norman city of Caen in the Calvados département.

Rundvald / Public domain

G

Café Gondrée

The Café Gondrée is a small coffeehouse in the French community of Bénouville.

Krzysztof Kienorow / CC-BY-SA

H

Tour Guillaume-Le-Roy

A 14th-century defensive tower and one of the primary remaining vestiges of Caen's medieval urban fortifications.

Duch.seb / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Merville Gun Battery

The Merville Gun Battery is a decommissioned coastal fortification in Normandy, France, which was built as part of the Germans' Atlantic…

Unknown / Public domain

J

Manoir du Pont-Créon

A former manor house located in the Saint-Ouen district of Caen, representing the region's historic residential architecture.

NetienneP / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Château de Falaise

The Château de Falaise is a castle from the 12th-13th century, located in the south of the commune of Falaise in the département of…

EdouardHue / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Chapelle Saint-Aubert

An 11th-century Roman Catholic chapel built on a rocky outcrop at the foot of Mont-Saint-Michel, dedicated to the bishop who founded the original sanctuary.

Hans Muilwijk / CC-BY-SA

M

Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption

A 12th-century church in Sainte-Mère-Église, famous for the paratrooper who became entangled on its steeple during the D-Day airborne operations.

N

Moulin de Moidrey

An 18th-century windmill located near Mont-Saint-Michel that has been restored to produce flour using traditional stone-grinding methods.

Denis BLAIZOT / CC BY 3.0

O

Gatteville lighthouse

Phare de Gatteville, also known as Pointe de Barfleur Light, is an active lighthouse near Gatteville-le-Phare at the tip of Barfleur,…

P

Château de Colbert

The remaining 17th-century portal of a former chateau located in Blainville-sur-Orne.

Mattana / CC BY 2.0

Q

Church of Saint-Pierre, Caen

The Church of Saint-Pierre is a Roman Catholic church located on the Place Saint-Pierre in the centre of Caen in Normandy, northern France.

Brady Brenot / CC BY-SA 4.0

R

Château de Pirou

The Château de Pirou is a castle in the commune of Pirou, in the département of Manche, France.

Hervewiki / CC BY-SA 4.0

S

Prieuré d'Ardevon

A 14th-century Benedictine priory that served as a tithe barn and administrative center for the monks of Mont-Saint-Michel.

T

Château de Vauville

A 12th-century fortified manor house featuring a notable botanical garden with over 1,000 species of sub-tropical plants.

Other Lists

Normandie's Absolute Essentials Editor's Choice Highlights Castles and Manor Houses Historic Churches and Abbeys of France Normandy Museums & History WWII Normandy Sites Ancient Megaliths and Monuments Parks and Gardens Iconic Beaches & Cliffs