This region of northwest France is packed with history both ancient and modern. Normandy is as famous for the 11th-century invasion of England (and the Bayeux Tapestry that still resides here) as it is for the birth of Impressionism and the D-Day landings. Medieval castles and churches punctuate its pastoral landscape and rugged coastline, culminating in the Gothic grandeur of its capital city, Rouen, whose famous cathedral pierces the sky with its three great spires. A gentler beauty prevails in port towns like Le Havre and Honfleur, not to mention the loveliness of seaside resorts such as Deauville, Granville, and Trouville-sur-Mer. There’s space for quiet contemplation, too, at the famed landing beaches of the Second World War, which are marked by moving tributes, from the Caen Peace Memorial and the Arromanches museum to the 9,388 white crosses of the Normandy American Cemetery.

Deauville Airport (DOL) is Normandy’s local airport, although most international visitors will need to make their way from one of the larger Paris airports, such as Orly (ORY) or Beauvais (BVA). Both are around two hours away by train or car. There are good rail services connecting towns and cities, but no train along the coast, so many people choose to hire a car, and it’s a rewarding way to explore the area. If you prefer not to drive, there are bus services to all the major tourism destinations, including the D-Day memorials. Cycling is easy on Normandy’s flat landscape: there are 310 miles of cycle paths, as well as the stunning Veloscenic long-distance route that winds all the way to Paris, ending at the Notre Dame cathedral.

With its sandy beaches, sea breezes, and late sunsets, summer is a delight in Normandy. It’s also a time when some of Normandy’s largest events take place. Annual D-Day commemorations are held in June, and in July the Fêtes Médiévales de Bayeux joyously celebrate the region’s medieval history with Viking, Saxon, and Norman re-enactments. For those who prefer it a little quieter, spring and autumn can be a good time to visit (pack layers and waterproofs, as the weather can be unpredictable), and May is a great time to be in Rouen, when the city celebrates its most famous heroine, Joan of Arc. If you’re a cinephile, September is the time to head to Deauville: the American Film Festival attracts the biggest stars of the silver screen to its celebrated boardwalk.

Mont-Saint-Michel

There are many profound sights in Normandy, but none quite as mystical as the silhouette of this Romanesque monastery rising up from its own rock island, overlooking the tidal bay between Cancale and Granville. Walk across the footbridge (there’s also a shuttle bus) to marvel at its abbey cloisters or — if you arrive in summer — take in one of the outdoor concerts held in its 1,300-year-old courtyards.

André Malraux Museum of Modern Art at Le Havre

Many Normandy locations inspired Claude Monet, but it was his painting of a sunrise over Le Havre that dubbed him an Impressionist. The permanent exhibition here spans three centuries, and its collection of Impressionist works is second only to that at the Musée d’Orsay.

Bagnoles de l’Orne

Well concealed within the Normandie-Maine Regional Park, this spa town makes you feel as if you’ve stumbled back in time and through a magical forest. Belle Époque buildings, including an elegant casino and a grand palace, look out over its serene lake, relaxing you long before you’ve thought about your first spa treatment.