What To Do in February in Normandy
Are you wondering what to do in February in Normandy? It can be a great time to visit as many of the popular sites that are busier during the summer months are blissfully quiet.
It has to be said that you can't guarantee good weather at this time of year. Rain is a possibility but there are plenty of indoor activities that won't be spoiled by a spot of inclement weather. However, you may be lucky enough to experience brilliant blue skies accompanied by sunny but cold weather.
Go Sales Shopping
The post-Christmas sales are usually on from early January through to early February. You'll see signs that say 'Soldes' where sales are taking place. Remember that many shops close on Sundays and Mondays as well as over lunch. It's just something you get used to after a while.
Eat Pancakes
France has two pancake days and fortunately they're both in February! The first day is called La Chandeleur.
The second pancake day is the equivalent of Shrove Tuesday in the UK and is also known as Mardi Gras. And if you want to make them yourself then check out this recipe for sweet French pancakes here.
You might also find boulangeries selling galettes de rois. This flaky pastry cake is filled with frangipane. Traditionally they're sold in January and the first few days of February.
Celebrate The Chinese New Year, Attend A Carnival Or Festival
Some towns celebrate Chinese New Year. This might include shop windows decorated with a Chinese theme. and perhaps a parade.
The Granville carnival is held in February each year. The first event was held in 1875 and the carnival now has UNESCO world heritage status. For more information about the Granville carnival visit their webpage. You can peruse the programme of activities, timings and photos.
Visit One Of The Key Tourist Sites
Not all tourist sites are open in February although many of the bigger ones are. Entry to the abbey at Mont Saint Michel will be free on the first Sunday in the month. All you need to do is to pay for your parking.
Many of the D-Day landing sites are open. For example, Gold Beach sites open in February include the Arromanches Landing Museum, the D-Day Garden and the Longues-sur-Mer battery. At Omaha both the Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre as well as La Pointe du Hoc are open and both are free to visit. Alternatively, Near Sword Beach, the Atlantic Wall museum in Ouistreham opens in early February. The Pegasus Bridge Memorial museum is open throughout February. The Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer focusses on the Canadian sector and you can visit during February. There are several museums open around the Utah Beach area. They include the D-Day Experience and Dead Man’s Corner Museums at Saint-Côme-du-Mont, the Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mère-Eglise and the Utah Beach museum. The D-Day cemeteries and memorials are also open to visitors.
In Bayeux, the cathedral, the Commonwealth cemetery and the Battle of Normandy museum are open in February. You can also shop, eat out at one of the many restaurants or bistros and stroll around medieval Bayeux.
Other things to do in February include visiting a museum such as the maritime museum in Cherbourg or the centre for Peace and History in Caen, a walk on one of the many beaches, browsing a market and strolling around one of the nearby towns such as Granville, Coutances or Villedieu-les-Poêles.
This isn't an exhaustive list of what to do in February in Normandy. However, hopefully it gives you a flavour of what's on offer.