There’s always loads to do when you visit Normandy, this is a region that loves to put on a show and to celebrate. And in 2020, there’s even more to enjoy from the famous Impressionist Festival to a brand new cycle route and more…
Here are just some of the great events coming up in Normandy for 2020:
NORMANDY IMPRESSIONIST FESTIVAL 2020
The Normandy Impressionist Festival takes place every three years. It’s a five-month programme with more than 450 events happening across the region. It will feature 20 Impressionist art exhibitions and 30 contemporary art exhibitions, dance performances, live entertainment, sound and light shows, street art, conferences, workshops and more. Takes place: 3 April-6 September 2020. Details: normandie-impressionniste.fr
NEW GREEN BRITTANY FERRIES VESSEL
Named after the oh-so-pretty port on the Seine estuary, the ‘Honfleur’ will enter into service in March 2020. She’ll serve Brittany Ferries’ most popular route from Portsmouth to Caen/Ouistreham. The LNG-powered ship will carry up to 1,680 passengers, and boast 261 cabins, two cinemas, several restaurants, passenger lounges and boutique shopping. Honfleur is the future of sustainable ferry transport and will soon be the greenest ship regularly operating on the English Channel. Details: destinationhonfleur.com/en
CYCLE THE SEINE FROM PARIS TO LE HAVRE
Did you know that France is the world’s second most popular cycling destination (after Germany)? The appeal of France for cyclists is growing year by year and a brand new 430km cycle route linking Paris to Le Havre and Deauville is a real winner. La Seine à Vélo opens in spring 2020. Following the course of the River Seine, the cycle route will pass through gorgeous Giverny, giving you the perfect excuse to take a wander in Monet’s garden. It will also run by lovely Les Andelys, historic Rouen, Jumièges and Honfleur. What’s more it’s suitable for all levels of cyclist from beginners to experts. Details: axeseine.fr
FECAMP GRAND’ESCALE MARITIME FESTIVAL
Normandy’s beautiful Alabaster Coast will welcome its first maritime festival in 2020, the Fécamp Grand’Escale. It will take place between the Kiel Regatta (20-28 June) and Brest International Maritime Festival (10-16 July 2020) meaning sail ship fans could enjoy a salty hat trick! Sailing boats, yachts and steamboats will now be able to stop off en route (from Germany to Brittany) in the fishing port of Fécamp which has a long maritime history. Visitors to the festival can enjoy sea excursions, concerts, live entertainment and tours of the visiting sailing boats. Takes place: 1-5 July. Details: fecampgrandescale.com
THE BRITISH NORMANDY MEMORIAL OPENS IN VER-SUR-MER
The British Normandy Memorial will open to the public from 5 September. It is the first memorial to honour the 22,000 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who died fighting under British command on D Day and in the Battle of Normandy. Designed by architect Liam O’Connor, it will stand just outside the village of Ver-sur-Mer overlooking Gold Beach, where British and Allied troops landed on 6 June 1944. Details: normandymemorialtrust.org/the-memorial
Find out more about what’s on and what to see and do in Normandy: en.normandie-tourisme.fr