Where to stay in Normandy, from Rouen to the D-Day beaches
Four addresses in Normandy, from the guesthouse in Alençon to the apartment in Rouen, passing through Arromanches and Le Tréport. A short list but a varied one, mixing characterful houses, apartments and seaside stays, for couples' escapes or short self-catering breaks.
4 places to stay
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Places to stay in Normandy
4 places to stay
Where to stay in Normandy by area
My four addresses are split between inland and the coast. On one side Rouen and Alençon, two towns where you can walk to everything; on the other, two seaside stops, Arromanches and Le Tréport. I start with the towns, then head down to the coast.
Rouen and Alençon, in the towns
Two town-centre addresses, very different from each other in terms of comfort.
- L'Espace Privé Rouen, in Rouen. A one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city, with a Jacuzzi and a fitted kitchen. It suits couples on a romantic break above all, close to the cathedral.
- La maison de Mathilde, in Alençon. A guesthouse with a small garden and quiet rooms, despite being in the town centre. You need to accept stairs, a bathroom that is sometimes shared, and checking in without anyone on hand.
On the coast, Arromanches and Le Tréport
Two seaside stops, one of them facing a marina.
- Chez Mounie, in Arromanches-les-Bains. A characterful guesthouse between the centre and the beach. It appeals to those who like old houses and the welcome of a family-run guesthouse.
- Voiles et TerrAsses by Corinne. Residence face au Port, in Le Tréport. An apartment residence facing the marina, with a kitchenette and a quiet corner on the garden side. Reviews are very mixed.
What types of accommodation you find in Normandy
In this selection, you mostly find guesthouses and apartments. There is no large hotel, and that fits the spirit of the region well, which is made up more of old houses and stays at your own pace than of big complexes.
The guesthouse suits those who love old stone and a homely welcome, provided they do not expect hotel-level comfort. The apartment, on the other hand, gives you freedom, with a kitchen or kitchenette, which is handy by the sea as well as in town. In my view, it is the format that adapts best to a short stay where you want to set your own timetable.
Which accommodation to choose for your trip
The choice comes down mainly to the atmosphere you want: romantic, family or simply practical. Here is what I would look at first, depending on the type of trip.
| Type of trip | The addresses that suit it best |
|---|---|
| Romantic escape in town | L'Espace Privé Rouen |
| Cultural weekend in Rouen | L'Espace Privé Rouen |
| Stay on the D-Day beaches | Chez Mounie |
| Short self-catering stay by the sea | Voiles et TerrAsses by Corinne. Residence face au Port |
| Traveller who loves old houses | Chez Mounie, La maison de Mathilde |
| Budget stopover, everything within walking distance | La maison de Mathilde |
When to go and how to get around
The coast is best enjoyed in fine weather, but Normandy has changeable weather, so expect rain at any time of year. For the towns, spring and autumn remain pleasant for wandering. To link the coast and the interior, the car is by far the most practical.
Rouen and Alençon are easy to explore on foot once you are there, and Rouen is well served by train. But as soon as you want to get from a town to the sea, or visit the Normandy countryside with its meadows and orchards, you need a vehicle. Arromanches and Le Tréport can be explored well on foot from your accommodation, which is a real pleasure for a weekend.
What reviews say, and what to expect
The ratings in this selection are uneven, and I would rather tell you so frankly. L'Espace Privé Rouen is the best rated, while the two guesthouses have a more modest score and the Tréport residence divides opinion.
La maison de Mathilde and Chez Mounie are aimed at guests who do not need hotel-level comfort. In Arromanches, do not count on a served breakfast or on freshly refurbished rooms. In Le Tréport, I advise you to check the conditions carefully before booking, since reviews are very mixed. For a first stay with no nasty surprises, Rouen remains the most reassuring choice.
How to put together a stay with these addresses
With so few addresses, the simplest is to choose one base and explore from there, or to combine town and sea in two stops. I would do Rouen first for its heritage, then the coast for the fresh air.
You can also settle for a single base. For beaches steeped in history, Arromanches is enough. For a lively harbour and a self-catering stay, Le Tréport fills that role. As for Alençon, I keep it for those passing through the region who want a simple night, everything within walking distance and no frills.