Travel time: Year-round
Normandy is defined by a temperate maritime climate, shaped significantly by the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. This results in a region where extremes are rare but variability is a constant companion. The weather is famously fickle; locals often joke that you can experience four seasons in a single hour. The landscape’s vibrant green hues, from the coastal bocages to the inland pastures, are a direct result of the consistent, fine precipitation that characterizes the region.
The day in Normandy often begins with high humidity and a soft morning mist, particularly in the river valleys like the Seine. As the sun rises, these mists usually burn off by mid-morning.
Spring is a season of awakening and transition. It is typically sunny but remains crisp. March can still feel wintry with the occasional "grain"—a sudden, short-lived squall—while May brings the blooming of apple orchards. Temperatures gradually climb from 7°C (45°F) to 15°C (59°F), though the sea breeze keeps the coast cooler than the interior.
Summers are comfortable and rarely experience the intense heat found in Southern France. Average highs range from 20°C to 23°C (68°F–73°F).
This is the rainiest time of year, with October and November seeing frequent Atlantic depressions. The "Indian Summer" of September is common, offering pleasant temperatures around 18°C (64°F) with lower humidity. As the season progresses, the winds pick up, and the Alabaster Coast sees frequent, dramatic storms that batter the cliffs.
Winters are mild but damp and overcast. Frost is common, but snow is rare and usually fleeting. Temperatures hover between 2°C (36°F) and 7°C (45°F). The wind is a major factor during these months; the "felt" temperature (wind chill) can be significantly lower than the thermometer suggests, especially on the exposed D-Day beaches.
Normandy is not a monolith; its geography creates distinct weather zones:
History in Normandy has often been written by the weather. Most famously, the D-Day landings (June 6, 1944) were delayed and nearly cancelled due to a violent English Channel storm, only proceeding during a brief, predicted "window" of better weather.
Locals have adapted to this unpredictability through architecture and lifestyle. High hedgerows (the bocage) were historically maintained partly to act as windbreaks for livestock. In the kitchen, the climate dictates the produce; the frequent rain creates rich grazing land for dairy cows and the perfect acidic soil for cider apples, leading to a culture centered around cream, cheese, and calvados—perfect "warming" foods for the damp climate.
Beyond the numbers, Normandy weather feels textural. On a sunny day, the air feels clean and salt-tinged near the coast. On a typical overcast day, the humidity doesn't feel heavy or tropical; rather, it feels like a soft, cool dampness that locals call crachin (a fine, misty drizzle). You don't just see the weather in Normandy; you hear it in the rustle of the poplars and the constant crash of the Channel waves.