A significant part of Norman heritage is directly linked to the region’s military history, from the time of the Duke-Kings of England. Discover these vestiges steeped in history during your camping holiday in Normandy. Take advantage of your stay at Utah Beach campsite, ideally located, to plan visits to prestigious castles and other illustrious medieval fortresses that abound in the Norman region. Discover our favorites right away!
Pirou Castle
Pirou Castle is located just 50 km from the campsite, in Pirou in the Cotentin. Built in the 12th century on a Viking site, it has since been restored and modified several times. It has, in fact, been undergoing restoration since 1966. The ramparts date from the 12th and 14th centuries, and you will need to pass through 5 fortified gates, circling the central moat, to access the interior of the castle! You will then discover a lordly chapel, a 17th-century bakery, the old stables, and a press with its tower.
Gratot Castle
Gratot Castle is located near Coutances, about fifty kilometers from our campsite. Its peculiarity is that it was transformed, modified, and enlarged over its 7 centuries of history before being abandoned until the late 1960s. It was precisely in 1968 that a volunteer restoration project began, lasting 20 years! The visit is self-guided, and you can admire a lordly house and two 15th-century towers, one of which, “La tour à la fée” (The Fairy Tower), holds a legend… A lovely shop also awaits you, where you’ll find knight costumes for children!
Château de Vaulaville
Not far from Bayeux, about 50 km from Utah Beach campsite, stands the Château de Vaulaville, in a completely different style from the previous two, as it is an 18th-century building in the “Regency” style. The visit lasts approximately 40 minutes and is free for children under 10. You can admire beautiful collections of Bayeux porcelain, period furniture, and antique toys. A chapel from the same era is also visible.
Caen Castle
Don’t miss visiting Caen Castle, an hour’s drive away. There you will find the entire epic story of the Duke of Normandy, the famous William the Conqueror, who had the castle built in the 1060s. Later, the Dukes of Normandy, Kings of England, gave this place one of the most important fortified enclosures in Europe. Today, the castle has become the Museum of Normandy, also housing the Museum of Fine Arts. An essential and unforgettable visit.
Falaise Castle
It’s impossible not to visit Falaise Castle, the town where William the Conqueror was born! It was in this place steeped in history that the future King of England, at 15, accomplished his first feat of arms that made him famous and established his power in Normandy. The castle can be visited with the help of touch tablets provided at the entrance. Thanks to virtual reality, discover the past splendor of this magical place, imbued with over 1,000 years of history. An extraordinary historical experience you won’t soon forget! Allow a little over 1 hour and 15 minutes of driving to reach Falaise.
Featured photo: Brady Brenot