Contrary to what many people think, there’s more to Normandy than the D-Day beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry! From the great transport links to charming fishing villages, there’s plenty of reasons why the area is so popular with expats and those wishing to buy a holiday home in France. We explore why Normandy could be the place for you.
Brilliant seaside resorts
There are many beautiful seaside resorts in Normandy that are favourites with overseas property buyers. Etretat, which is situated on the Alabaster coast, showcases Normandy’s wonderful natural beauty. With dramatic seascapes and white cliff edges that wind around the pebble beach, this would be a great spot for anyone who loves the great outdoors. There is also a variety of water sports on offer and a golf course 150ft above the sea!
As well as areas of outstanding beauty, Normandy also has classic seaside resorts such as Trouville, which has a sandy beach, lots of seafood restaurants and a charming fishing port. Other resorts of interest include Le Havre and Saint-Malo.
Historical towns
If you’re a fan of decadent architecture and enjoy learning a thing or two about your surroundings, Normandy is ideal. The capital, Rouen, is full of art galleries, has a famous gothic cathedral and you can even eat in France’s oldest inn. With a reliable transport network and plenty to do, Rouen could be an ideal place for anyone who’d like to experience city living with the countryside nearby.
The quaint village of Camembert is also steeped in history, especially for food and cheese lovers. And of course, Bayeux is a beautiful medieval town with historical importance and home to the largest British cemetery outside of the UK.
Rolling green countryside
As well as its seaside resorts and historic towns, the abundance of countryside in Normandy is what attracts many to the area. Orne is a department popular with expats, with no coast but plenty of luscious green countryside. It shares the countryside known as Suisse Normande, renowned for dramatic wooded hills and gorges.
The area of Eure in Western Normandy is also known for its beautiful countryside and Monet’s garden at Giverny.
Great transport links
If you’re looking to move to Normandy from the UK, there isn’t a better place to settle in terms of transport. Regular ferries run between several Normandy ports and Portsmouth, Plymouth, Poole and Dover.
It’s also an easy train, bus ride or drive away from Paris. You can travel from a number of locations in Normandy to Paris in under 3 hours, depending on where you are catching your train from.
Property prices
The average property price in Normandy is €1,680 / m² for older houses and apartments. Areas away from the coast, such as Orne, tend to be cheaper, whilst Calvados and Seine-Maritime by the coast are more expensive.
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