Where to Stay and Eat in Normandy

Whether you’re sleeping over or just stopping for a meal, here are some great places to relax and refuel in Normandy.

Restaurants & cafés

Le Littré

An Avranches institution offering lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails or gastro-dining in Art Deco surroundings. The restaurant has been running since 1977, now in the hands of the original owner’s niece. A lovely space to spend time, the evening menu is pricey, but you can expect high quality.

www.lelittre.com

Restaurant Le Carré

The only restaurant on l’ile Tatihou, surrounded by the tropical” gardens, this long, half-timbered bam offers lunch for day visitors to the island (evening meals are reserved for those staying overnight). Three courses offering seafood, fish, meat, and vegetarian dishes plus homemade desserts.

lesmaisonsdetatihou.fr

La Pâtisserie de Guillaume

This beautifully designed salon de the on the second floor of this impressive pâtisserie-chocolaterie, serves excellent coffee, a large selection of teas and infusions, and hot chocolate. It’s a perfect, quiet retreat with an outdoor courtyard in the centre of Bayeux.

patisserie-guillaume.fr

La Trinquette

My pick in Honfleur; on Quai Sainte-Catherine, for unpretentious. rustic charm and good home-cooked food. Try the Norman galettes, crêpes and cider, plus excellent salads.

https://bit.ly/3CRvUen

La Boucane

On the outskirts of Honfleur, within the grounds of La Ferme Saint-Siméon, La Boucane is housed in a separate 17th-century traditional half-timbered building. Enjoy the relaxed ambience, and a menu which is fresh, seasonal and local, including from the kitchen garden. Approx €36 for a main course. Open to non-residents.
https://bit.ly/49p1 Lil
Oscar
A delightful culinary experience offering relative peace from busy Giverny, Michelin-starred chef David Gallienne is at the helm of the restaurant, within the Musée des Impressionnismes, providing dishes inspired by Impressionist painters. It’s also a lovely retreat for breakfast or morning coffee.

oscargiverny.com/fr

Accommodation

Château de Chantore

Exceptional 18th-century château with five rooms, including two suites authentically decorated with appropriate period furnishings. The Mont Saint-Michel Suite includes views across the park and of Mont Saint-Michel. Breakfast included. Gîte de l’Orangerie, within the park, offers self-catering accommodation for five guests.

www.chateaudechantore.com

Château de Vauville

A chance to stay in a 12th-century stone château 100m from the sea an the Catentin Peninsula. Three rooms imaginatively decorated. Breakfast included; lunch and dinner on request. Plus, two charming beachside gites and a four-bedroom home.

www.jardin-vauville.fr/castle

Les Maisons de Tatihou

A new three-star hotel on I’lle Tatihou, the only accommodation on the island. Just 26 boutique rooms, spread over three historic stone buildings among the tropical gardens. Continental breakfast and dinner are included.

lesmaisonsdetatihou.fr/en

L’Invitation du Voyage

Named after Charles Baudelaire’s poem (written in Honfleur), this boutique hotel opened two year’s ago on Rue de la Ville, less than a minute’s walk from Vieux Bassin. Beautifully decorated, comfortable beds in en-suite rooms with large rainfall showers, plus a piano bar lounge and restaurant on the ground floor.

linvitationauvoyagehonfleur.com/fr

Château de Miromesnil

Chambres d’hôtes offered at this family-owned château include three rooms for couples, and two suites that each sleep four, La Suite de la Terrasse includes its own upper-floor balcony, with views over the potager: Guests have free access to the park and gardens. at any time.

www.chateaumiromesnil.com

La Ferme Saint-Siméon

The stunning 5-star hotel, a former farm where Impressionism allegedly began, averlooks the River Seine on the outskirts of Honfleur and has its own gardens. It’s part of the Maison Relais & Châteaux group.

www.fermesaintsimeon.fr/en

Normandy essentials

GETTING THERE

BY TRAIN

Paris Saint-Lazare to Rouen (1h 30m direct), Caen (2h direct) or Cherbourg (3h direct).

BY PLANE

Direct flights from various UK airports to Paris, then take the train to Normandy.

BY CAR

Brittany Ferries operates from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, Cherbourg, Caen-Ouistreham and Le Havre, plus Poole to Cherbourg using day and overnight services.

TOURIST INFORMATION

Normandy Tourism: en.normandie-tourisme.fr

From France Today Magazine