By the Normandy Private Tours team, Le Havre · Last updated: October 2026
Normandy is still the same coast, the same beaches and the same cider, but 2026 has changed three things for visitors. The Bayeux Tapestry has left Bayeux for London. Pointe du Hoc is being restored. And the EU has new border checks for non-EU travellers. All three are missing from most older guides.
This guide covers what is different this year, what is on until the end of 2026, and what to book early for 2027. If you want the full plan done for you, see our custom and multi-day tours.
Key facts
- The Bayeux Tapestry is at the British Museum from 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027
- Pointe du Hoc stays open during its restoration, with some closures
- EES border checks are in full operation; ETIAS has not started
- Next big dates: the D-Day anniversary (29 May to 13 June 2027) and the Rouen Armada (17 to 27 June 2027)
What Is Different in 2026
All dates were checked on 11 October 2026.
| When | What | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Since 1 September 2025 | The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is closed for renovation | You cannot visit it. The new museum is due to open in October 2027 |
| 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027 | The Tapestry is on show at the British Museum in London | It is not in Bayeux. The town still has its cathedral, its old streets and the D-Day sites nearby |
| February 2026 to about August 2027 | Pointe du Hoc is being restored | Open, but expect temporary closures and changed access in places |
| From 10 April 2026 | The EU Entry/Exit System is in full operation | Non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a photo at the first entry. Allow extra time at the border |
| Not yet started | ETIAS, the EU travel authorisation | The French diplomatic site says it is scheduled for the end of 2026. Nothing to do yet; check again before booking 2027 |
| All of 2026 | “Claude Monet 2026: 100 years of legacy” | A year-long programme across Normandy, which adds interest to a visit to Giverny |
What Is On Until the End of 2026
- Apple and cider festivals, 26 September to 15 November. Orchards, farm tastings and markets across the region. It is the best time to visit the cider and cheese villages of the Pays d’Auge; see our Normandy cheese and cider tour.
- Scallop festivals, 3 October to 4 December. Held in several ports, including Granville, Ouistreham, Dieppe, Port-en-Bessin and Trouville-sur-Mer.
- Herring festivals, 7 to 30 November. In Seine-Maritime and Eure.
- Christmas. Markets and lights start in late November. Dates are announced each autumn; see our guide to Christmas markets in France.
What to Book Early for 2027
- The 83rd D-Day anniversary, 29 May to 13 June 2027. Ceremonies and events run along the landing beaches. The 6 June date is the busiest, so book hotels and guides well ahead.
- The Rouen Armada, 17 to 27 June 2027. About 50 ships sail up the Seine to Rouen. Visiting the ships is free, but hotel rooms in Rouen will be scarce.
- The Dieppe Canadian Film Festival, 18 to 21 March 2027.
- The new Bayeux museum, October 2027. Plan Bayeux around it if the Tapestry matters to you.
Before You Fly: Border Rules in 2026
Non-EU visitors, including Americans and Britons, now go through the EU Entry/Exit System. At the first entry you give fingerprints and a facial image, and the record is checked on later trips. Where there are e-gates, Americans and Britons can use them. Allow extra time at Paris airports and at the ports.
ETIAS is not yet in operation. The French diplomatic website says it is scheduled for the end of 2026, and that travellers need to do nothing until then. As far as we know, your passport should be valid for at least three months after you leave. Always check the official rules for your nationality before you book.
Normandy Is Five Areas, Not One Place
Most first-time visitors treat Normandy as one destination. It is five, and the distances are large. Choose one or two areas for a trip.
| Area | Signature | Best for | From Paris (rough) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seine Valley | Rouen, Giverny | Cathedrals, old streets, Monet | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Alabaster Coast | Étretat, Le Havre | White cliffs, walks, the cruise port | About 2.5 hours |
| Côte Fleurie and Pays d’Auge | Honfleur, Deauville | Harbours, cider and cheese | About 2.5 hours |
| D-Day Coast | Caen, Bayeux, the beaches | WWII history and cemeteries | About 3 to 3.5 hours |
| Cotentin and the Bay | Utah Beach, Cherbourg, Mont Saint-Michel | Remote coast, the abbey | 4 hours or more |
The sights inside each area are in our list of the best places to visit in Normandy. For the drive from Paris, see how to plan a Paris to Normandy day trip.
What Costs Money and What Does Not
Most of what draws people to Normandy is free. The charges are at museums, gardens and car parks.
| Usually free | Usually paid |
|---|---|
| The D-Day beaches | Museums, such as the Caen Memorial and the Overlord Museum |
| The Normandy American Cemetery | Monet’s House and Gardens |
| Pointe du Hoc | The abbey at Mont Saint-Michel |
| Walking the village at Mont Saint-Michel | Parking at Mont Saint-Michel |
| Honfleur harbour and the Étretat cliffs | Guided visits |
Prices and opening hours change each year, so check each official site before you go.
Getting Around
A car or a driver is the practical choice for the D-Day coast and the countryside. Trains reach Rouen, Caen, Bayeux, Le Havre and Cherbourg, but not Honfleur or Étretat, and not the beaches themselves. Many museums close one day a week, often Monday or Tuesday, so check before you set out. If you arrive by cruise ship, see our guide to shore excursions from Le Havre.
FAQ
Is Normandy worth visiting in 2026?
Yes. The D-Day beaches, Mont Saint-Michel, Giverny and Étretat are all open. Two things are different: the Bayeux Tapestry is in London until July 2027, and Pointe du Hoc has some restoration closures. Choose one or two areas per trip and give each enough time.
Is the Bayeux Tapestry in Bayeux in 2026?
No. The Bayeux Tapestry Museum closed on 1 September 2025 for renovation. The Tapestry is on show at the British Museum in London from 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027. The new Bayeux museum is due to open in October 2027.
Do I need ETIAS to visit France in 2026?
Not yet. ETIAS is not in operation. The French diplomatic website says it is scheduled for the end of 2026 and that travellers need take no action until then. The EU Entry/Exit System is already in force, so expect fingerprints and a photo at your first border crossing.
What is on in Normandy this autumn?
Apple and cider festivals run until 15 November, scallop festivals in several ports until 4 December, and herring festivals from 7 to 30 November. Christmas markets and lights begin in late November.
Do you need a car in Normandy?
For the D-Day coast, the Pays d’Auge and the countryside, a car or a driver is the practical choice. Trains reach Rouen, Caen, Bayeux, Le Havre and Cherbourg, but not Honfleur, Étretat or the beaches.
