Art trip to Normandy: 4 days, 3 nights

Subject range: Art, Cultural

What you’ll experience: MuMa at Le Havre is known for its late 19th and 20th century collections and has one of France’s largest collections of Impressionist art. Students can experience the work of artists including Monet, Boudin, Bonnard, Dufet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Degas and Courbet.
Select says: The Impressionists were attracted by the unique, ever-changing light of the Le Havre estuary, and it was the summer home of Monet who stayed and worked at his aunt’s house in Sainte-Adresse.

Subject range: MFL, Art, Cultural, Food Technology

What you’ll experience: A town with a rich artistic and historical heritage, Honfleur has beautiful old houses, narrow paved streets, monuments, little shops, traditional restaurants, galleries, artists’ studios, a fishing harbour and a marina.
Select says: The changing light on the Seine estuary inspired Monet, Boudin, Courbet, and many others.

Subject range: MFL, Physical Education

What you’ll experience: Aquanacre is located in Douvres-la-Délivrande, just 10 minutes from the Château du Baffy. The swimming centre has 3 pools, one outside, and a pentagliss (parallel slides).
Select says: Swimming is always a fun activity to choose for the students and great for unwinding as an evening activity.

Subject range: MFL, Art, History

What you’ll experience: Château de Fontaine-Henry is a family Renaissance residence handed down over the generations and has a collection of period paintings and furniture. Guided group tours are in English as well as French.
Select says: A great location for students to bring their sketch pads and pencils. The château has distinctive high, steep roofing and sculpted exterior.

Subject range: MFL, Art, Cultural, History

What you’ll experience: The Bayeux Tapestry is a unique source on the 11th century beginning with Harold’s eventful journey to Normandy through to the Battle of Hastings. Visits are by audio-guide giving commentary on the scenes.
Select says: There is a simplified audio version in English especially for children.

*Please note this museum will be closed for renovation work from September 2025-Spring 2027.

Subject range: MFL, Art, Cultural, History, RS

What you’ll experience: The cathedral of Notre-Dame in Bayeux is an impressive building with a mix of Romanesque architecture in the 11th century crypt and Gothic in the 13th-century nave. The crypt contains some beautiful murals and the stained-glass windows in the chapel are stunning.
Select says: Read the diagram on the stairs before you descend into the crypt, as it gives some information about the images below.

Subject range: Art

What you’ll experience: Giverney was Monet’s home from 1883 until he passed away in 1926. Monet created some of his most celebrated work at Giverny and students will have the opportunity to see his house and the beautiful ‘Water Garden’ – sketch books are essential!
Select says: Reservations are necessary for groups of 20+. You can find out more about Monet’s Garden – Giverny here.

Subject range: Art, Cultural, History

What you’ll experience: Claude Monet​ painted more than thirty canvases depicting Rouen Cathedral between 1892 and 1894. The paintings in the series capture the façade of the Cathedral at different times of the day and year, reflecting changes under different lighting conditions. This intricate and flamboyant building is the tallest cathedral in France with a spire that reaches 151 metres high.
Select says: This is a great place to bring pastels and sketch books so that students can create their own unique interpretation of the cathedral guided by the time of day, year and atmospheric conditions. Find out more about a selection of Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series here.

Subject range: Art, Cultural

What you’ll experience: The Rouen Musée des Beaux-Arts features paintings, sculptures and drawings from the 15th century to the present day. The collection includes works by Rubens, Caravaggio, Velázquez, Poussin, Géricault, Delacroix, Corot, Gustave Moreau, Degas and Monet Modigliani, Dufy and the Duchamp brothers, amongst many more.
Select says: Guided tours are possible – enquire for details.

Subject range: Art, Cultural, History

What you’ll experience: This is a great opportunity to discuss art and its place in commemorating history. Students could create their own sand art – see the artwork called The Fallen, the idea of Bradford sculptors Jamie Wardley and Andy Moss. You can view a time lapse of the beach art tribute created in 2013 here. Arromanches has the remains of the Mulberry harbour in its bay which also provides thought provoking sketching material.
Select says: Check the tide tables for best day of your itinerary to visit.

Subject range: Art, Cultural

What you’ll experience: Musée des Beaux Arts in Caen houses collections with many sixteenth and seventeenth century French, Italian and Flemish works of art, along with some contemporary art. The medieval castle also hosts a sculpture park.
Select says: The museum is located in a contemporary building in the heart of William the Conqueror’s castle.

Subject range: Art, Cultural, Language

What you’ll experience: The beach of Courseulles-sur-Mer is renowned for being one of the most beautiful and unspoilt coastlines of France. Courseulles-sur-Mer town is small but lively with a harbour – perfect for sketching opportunities.
Select says: Located only ten minutes’ drive from the Château du Baffy.

Subject range: Art, Cultural

What you’ll experience: Étretat is known for its cliffs which include three natural arches and the ‘needle’. This beautiful area attracted artists including Monet, Boudin and Courbet.
Select says: This is a great opportunity for your students to sketch the scenes that have attracted numerous artists over the years, and put their own unique interpretation on the landscape.

Subject range: Art, History

What you’ll experience: Les Braves is a war memorial created by French sculptor Anilore Banon in 2004, located on the shores of Omaha Beach in St. Laurent-sur-Mer. It was commissioned by the French government to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. The memorial represents three elements: the wings of hope, the rise of freedom, and the wings of fraternity. The tallest of the columns stands at 30 feet.
Select says: The sculpture was initially intended as a temporary art piece but due to wide public interest it remains standing. The sculpture has been described as a blend of art and nature – this visit is an opportunity to sketch and for students to design their own memorial sculptural art work.