The Ultimate Guide To Living In Normandy As An Expat

Normandy has been popular with expatriates for years. Its stunning coastline, rich history, and famous gastronomy have attracted people worldwide to live in this spectacular part of France.

Brits especially favor the region for its proximity to the UK and easy travel connections.

But what is it really like living in Normandy? We’ve taken a closer look at this northern part of France.

What life is like in Normandy

In terms of lifestyle, Normandy has an excellent balance between urban and rural. Most of the department is dominated by rolling hills, fields of cows, sandy beaches, and, of course, the Seine River winding its way to Paris.

Normandy also has several major towns and cities, including Dieppe, Rouen, Le Havre, and Caen.

Much of life in Normandy is rural, and you’ll likely spend lots of time outside. Hiking, biking, horse riding, and water sports are common pastimes. However, the cities and towns are very modern and offer everything you could need and expect from city living.

Villages in Normandy are famously stunning.

Surprisingly, most old buildings survived the war or were lovingly restored, so it’ll be picturesque no matter which village you end up in. Normandy villages always look like some kind of old film set.

The area is strongly agricultural, which means not only is there plenty of fresh food, but you’ll also find families and friends harvesting crops, making cheese, and farming together, then sharing a meal en masse.

Because of this, community and family are interwoven in life here. Once you become a local, you’ll find your neighbors very welcoming, and you’ll never want to leave.

Of course, the area has a strong tourist presence in summer thanks to its famous beaches and landmarks from the World Wars. This brings in a large amount of money for the area, so it is generally very affluent, with many good schools, public services, medical facilities, and more.

Transport options are some of the best in France, with direct train lines into Paris, and the vast ports at Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg, and Dieppe make international connections and imports easy.

All in all, Normandy offers one of the best lifestyles in France. No wonder it’s so popular.

The pros and cons of living in Normandy

To break it down simply for you, we’ve put together this list of the ultimate pros and cons of expat life in Brittany. Here’s what you should carefully consider before you move

The pros of living in Normandy

1. The landscape

Normandy really does have it all – stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, picturesque villages, rolling hills, wild forests, and modern city centers.

It’s one of France’s most varied and beautiful parts, so if you appreciate a good view and like getting out into nature, Normandy is one giant playground.

2. The history

Although much of the history here is from the World Wars and is genuinely tragic, there are some fantastic sites to visit. You could live in the area for a decade and still find more to learn. The whole area is packed full of culture and history from medieval times, and it makes an excellent place to explore.

3. The food:

Thanks to the fertile soil, lush grass, and proud farming community, local food is incredible.

You will most likely buy your weekly food and veg from a local market. Meat comes fresh from local farms; bread is freshly baked, and fish is caught and cooked within hours. It’s foodie heaven, and we haven’t even talked about local cider.

The cons

1. The tourists

Normandy attracts tourists all year round thanks to the many war memorials, D-Day beaches, battlefields, and more. However, in summer, the area swarms with tourists. While this does bring in money, it can get noisy and crowded in some places.

2. The weather

We’ll start by saying it’s not that bad. In reality, it is lots of rain and fog and storms and short summers. If you plan to move to France for the sunny weather, you need to look further south. 

3. Huge expat numbers

Some parts of Normandy are so flooded with British second homeowners and expats that you’ll find more Brits here than French.

Many restaurant menus are in English first, and if you’re looking to assimilate with French culture, you’ll be disappointed. Luckily, it’s only a few areas, and they are easy to find and avoid if you choose. 

The cost of living in Normandy

With so much to offer, you’d be forgiven for thinking life in Normandy would be very expensive. But in reality, Normandy is a reasonably affordable place to live (another reason for its popularity). 

Thanks to the strong agricultural industry, good local produce is very affordable. You’ll find weekly local markets the best places to buy fruit, veg, and meat. The prominent fishing industry means seafood is fresh, tasty, and easy to get on a cheap budget.

The huge ports mean importing foreign items is super speedy, and the only thing you’ll need to worry about is the government import costs.

If you plan to eat out or head to a bar, you’ll find all costs are relatively low. A good meal is possible at just €20 while a more expensive meal can be €60 per head. Local cider and beer are delicious and very cheap.

Housing

The most affordable aspect of Normandy is the property market.

Renting

On average, a two-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot (93-square-meter) apartment in Normandy can be rented for €620/month.

In more popular locations such as main towns, renting a good-sized 1-bedroom apartment will only set you back around €650, while renting a decent villa or a house can start from around €1,000, depending on the location.

You can find more information on renting and how to do it in our guide, Renting A Property In France.

Buying a house

If you’re looking to buy, a lovely family home in a village can cost as little as €100,000.

Stone houses and farmhouses in the country can be found for €160,000 and higher.

Most houses are detached, and a renovated, character home with a garden won’t cost more than €350,000. 

On the other hand, if you are after something special, you can sometimes find a big beachfront villa for sale at prices around €1,000,000 and higher.

The most expensive areas in Normandy when it comes to housing are the following:

• Saint-Pierre-Lavis
• Terres-de-Caux and Saint-Pierre-Lavis
• Athis-Val-de-Rouvre
• Benouville
• Benerville-sur-Mer

Considering buying a home in France? Read our Complete Guide To Buying A Property In France to avoid potential pitfalls and disappointment.

Where to live in Normandy

If Normandy sounds like your dream location, we’ve narrowed down some of the best places to live in Normandy.

Thanks to its excellent connections and public services, basically everywhere offers a good life. You’ll never find it hard to register with a doctor, visit a local library, join a running club, or anything else.

In Normandy, it’s all about charm, good food, and good wine.

Barfleur

Barfleur has a tiny number of permanent residents, around 600 or so, and the village thrives on the summer tourists. But if you like seafood and want to live a quiet life by the sea, Barfleur is it.

It’s a small fishing community that is very tight-knit. Expect to eat a lot of seafood while drinking white wine if you move here.

Beuvron-en-Auge

Want the conveniences of a large town but without the noise and fuss? Beuvron-en-Auge is situated just outside Caen, but it has retained a medieval village’s old-world charm.

It’s surrounded by dairy farms, so cheese is a big part of life. This is the kind of village with multiple bakeries and a flower festival where people drink local cider. Picture perfect. 

Caen

Speaking of Caen, the city itself is an urban hub for the area.

It has everything you could ever need from good schools (both English and French), a good hospital, an excellent commercial center for shopping, museums, art galleries, and more. For a port-based city, it’s relatively elegant and a delight to live in.

Deauville

Deauville is the Cannes of the North. The ritzy, luxurious seaside town attracts the rich and beautiful.

It’s a haven for wealthy Parisians leaving the city for the seaside break. The big attractions are stunning architecture, pretty streets, art and film festivals, and luxury shopping.

Deauville is energetic in winter and summer, unlike other villages, making it pleasant to live here all year round.

Honfleur

Honfleur is the stereotypical Normandy village. It’s the village everyone thinks of.

It’s a beautiful harbor town with stunning 16th-century architecture, streets that feel like a maze, beautiful rooves, boutique shops, and around 100 art galleries.

Honfleur is a cultural center. If you’ve dreamed of escaping to a small Normandy village, Honfleur is probably what you pictured in your mind.

Healthcare for expats in Normandy

As an expat residing in Normandy, you will have access to public healthcare, provided you are a legal resident and contribute to the French social security system, also known as ‘Sécurité Sociale’.

The social security system typically covers about 70-80% of medical costs, with the remaining amount paid by the patient or covered by complementary private health insurance, known as a ‘mutuelle.’

Many larger towns and cities within Normandy, such as Caen, have well-equipped hospitals and medical facilities.

However, health services in rural areas may not be as readily available, so make sure you have a plan for routine check-ups or specialized services.

Expat community in Normandy

Normandy has been a popular new home for expats for a long time. As such, there are lots of expat communities. Since so many people living in Normandy are either new residents or have second homes in the area, you’re more likely to find small communities rather than one large expat group. 

Online platforms such as Facebook or Expat Forum are likelier to have lots of small groups for local book clubs, running clubs, sailing groups, or even wine and cheese tasting groups.

The expat community is generally sprawling and overlapping. You’ll probably find yourself running into other expats in the local pub, joining a group, and finding that your neighbor and local handyman are also part of the group.

If going digital to find like-minded people doesn’t appeal to you, you can get out and about, and like we said, you’ll run into people reasonably easily. Local mayors and town halls also have bulletin boards where you’ll find local news pinned up. It’s old-fashioned, but it works.

Things to know before you go

So, you’re ready to pack up and head to Normandy to start eating cheese, drinking wine, and hiking on the cliffs? We don’t blame you. But there are a few things you should know before you go.

As you might have guessed from reading this article, cheese and all things dairy are a large part of life here. While vegan options are readily available in the center of cities like Caen and Dieppe, you won’t find them in most of Normandy. If you’re vegan, be prepared to eat at home regularly.

Traveling long-distance is easy thanks to the ports, airports and train lines but local travel isn’t the best. You need your own transport or risk relying on buses, which are few and far between and, like most things in France, run on their own time.

Some of the more affluent villages can receive an influx of Parisians in the summer. Prices rise, terraces are packed, and you may experience lots of people judging you. Even though they don’t live in the area, the Parisians will be less welcoming than the locals.

Thunderstorms in the area are frequent and impressive. The huge cliffs and high winds coming from the channel create massive storms. Houses and tall buildings are regularly struck by lighting (Don’t panic, people don’t get hit), but if you’re afraid of storms or have a pet, you should be prepared for some scary nights during winter.

It sounds crazy, but grass in Normandy grows like nothing you’ve ever seen before. It’s the reason there are so many dairy farms; the cows can graze on luscious grass forever. But if you plan on having a garden, be aware that the fertile soil, gentle sun, and frequent rain mean you either have to embrace a wild garden or get ready to spend time taming it.

Cultural integration

You shouldn’t find it difficult to fit in in Normandy, mainly because the Normans are known for their friendliness and warm hospitality. However, as with any transition to a new country, learning the local language and customs makes a big difference to how quickly you are accepted in your local community.

Here are a few tips on how to make your integration a bit easier:

Get to know the local council and introduce yourself to the maire (mayor). Visit the office from time to time, even if only to enquire about coming local events. People will remember you, and you might get official invitations to attend meetings and events.

Your local tourist office can be a great source of information about local events, clubs, and activities.

Use your local shop for everyday groceries. Attend the local market and use as much of your French as possible, even if you need to revise and rehearse some phrases at home before you go.

Have you received an invitation to a community event? Accept it! Participate in local events such as New Year celebrations, planting flowers in communal areas, helping out with charity events, or participating in traditional festivals.

Find and join interest groups such as bridge, gardening, dancing, or walking.

Follow local websites for news and activities.

Use local French tradespeople, and ask for their recommendations if you need others.

Final thoughts on living in Normandy

Normandy is rich in history, culture, good food, and the countryside. It’s a popular destination for expats with a good balance of affordable urban centers and rolling hills.

While you’ll find summer much busier and more touristy, Normandy attracts visitors year-round, making it an affluent and bustling area.

If you’re planning to make the move, think hard about where you’d like to live: beach, city or small country village. If possible, visit a few places first.

If you’re really stuck, you could always just try the local cheese and base your decision on your favorite one!

Other popular expat destinations in France to consider:

• Living in Saône-et-Loire, France: What Expats Need To Know
• What It’s Like Living In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France As An Expat
• What’s It Like Living In Provence, France As An Expat
• Discover What It’s Like Living In Toulouse As An Expat
• Living In Burgundy, France

You might find helpful:

• Living In France As An Expat Guide – the ultimate relocation guide full of practical information and tips on moving to France from the pros and cons to visas and residency, to the cost of living, healthcare, banking and more.
• The Best Places to Live in France – a detailed overview of France’s most popular locations for expats.
• Bank accounts in France for expats – what options you have and how to open a French bank account.
• See our complete France country guide archive.
• Didn’t find what you were looking for or need further advice? Comment with your question below, and we will do our best to help.