Hello, traveler! Ready to discover the wonders of Normandy? While residing in France, I spent numerous days visiting this unbelievable area, and I’m excited to share my experiences by means of this 4-day Normandy itinerary!
From the long-lasting Mont Saint Michel to the historic D-Day Beaches and the charming medieval tapestry of Bayeux, Normandy is filled with unforgettable landmarks and tales.
In this information, you’ll discover all the things that you must plan your journey, together with recommendation on the place to remain, how you can get round, and extra. By the top, you’ll be set to get pleasure from this journey to its fullest!
Make certain to e book your lodges early, as one of the best ones are inclined to refill shortly. Let’s get began!
● Days: 4
● Cost: €800 if touring on a good price range, round €1,200 for mid-range vacationers, infinity and past if you’re a luxurious traveler
● Transportation: automobile (greatest), practice, bus, journey sharing
● Best luxurious lodges within the itinerary: Le Havre, Caen
● Best mid-range lodges: Le Havre, Caen
● Best price range lodging: Le Havre, Caen
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Can’t learn until the top? No worries, right here’s a fast overview with all of the stops on the itinerary:
- Day 1: Rouen & Étretat
- Day 2: Deauville, Cider Route, and Caen
- Day 3: Bayeux, D-Day Beaches
- Day 4: Mont Saint Michel
And right here’s a map that includes all of the stops on this Normandy itinerary:
Day 1: Rouen and Étretat
● Why go to: historical past, pure landscapes
● Key exercise: Visit Rouen Cathedral, marvel on the dramatic Étretat Cliffs
● How to get there from Paris: driving is ~€95 (automobile rental, gasoline, tolls), practice is from €9
● Time: 2 hours by automobile, 1 hour 37 minutes by practice
● Estimated day by day price range: €300
Normandy is among the most visited areas of Northern France because it’s tremendous near Paris. In truth, you’re seemingly beginning your journey from Paris!
Normandy has the historical past, pretty seashores and villages, lovely landscapes, and scrumptious gastronomy, nearly all the things you want for a memorable journey!
You can do that whole itinerary on 4 (and even 3) day journeys from Paris, however you can too embark on a full-time journey and sleep within the area. I made the route versatile and grouped sights which might be close by so you’ll be able to set up your journey nevertheless you want.
I did this itinerary on day journeys from Paris by automobile, and it was tremendous quick and handy, so I like to recommend a automobile rental earlier than anything. But in case you don’t drive or are on a price range (rental prices round €70 per day, and gasoline is round €120 for the complete journey), you’ll be able to nonetheless get to most locations by practice or automobile sharing. These choices are less expensive!
BUDGET TIP: If you need to hire a automobile however are on a price range, it can save you considerably by taking a practice from Paris to Caen after which renting a automobile there! You’re taking a look at round €150 financial savings total (1 day much less for rental + no gasoline charges for the longest components of the journey, particularly on the final day while you’d need to drive from Mont Saint Michel to Paris for 4+ hours).
Ideally, depart from Paris early within the morning, round 8 AM, both by practice or automobile. If you drive, the journey to Rouen takes as much as 2 hours with out stops (take the A13 somewhat than the A15 street, it’s a lot sooner).
If you’re feeling prefer it, you may make a cease at Giverny, this pretty village identified for being the hometown of Claude Monet, France’s most well-known impressionist painter. You can go to his home, now a museum. It has completely gorgeous gardens which might be so good to get pleasure from in summer time!
As for Rouen, the spotlight is for certain its cathedral from the twelfth century (map). It’s so spectacular that it has even been featured in lots of well-known work. I cherished visiting in summer time as they characteristic these lovely gentle reveals within the evenings, it’s so stress-free to simply sit close by and watch.
Claude Monet painted the Rouen Cathedral over 30 instances!
The lovely historic city, outdated markets, and, for historical past buffs, the Donjon of Rouen, are different must-see sights. Rouen is fairly small, and you may see the primary landmarks in simply over 2 hours. Then, round 1 PM, hit the street for Étretat (which is able to take round 70 minutes).
Ideal for nature lovers and hikers but in addition for lovely sundown seekers, Étretat certainly is an inspiration! Especially with its dramatic white cliffs and pure archways! I caught a sundown right here, and it was some of the romantic experiences I’ve needed to date!
You can freely stroll right here for 2-3 hours, have lunch/dinner, after which hit the street for Le Havre (the place it’s most handy to remain in a single day).
FOODIE TIP: La Flottille (map) is an incredible conventional restaurant simply by the seaside in Étretat, it’s ultimate for lunch!
Day 1 in Rouen & Étretat
- Walk by means of the outdated Rouen on a tour and benefit from the medieval structure
- Marvel on the Rouen Cathedral
- Visit Place de Vieux Marché (map) and its colourful buildings
- See the Donjon of Rouen (map) the place Joan d’Arc was held earlier than the execution
- See the primary cliffs of Étretat, Falaise d’Aval (map) and Falaise d’Amont (map)
- Catch a sundown on the seaside in Étretat (map)
Where to remain on Day 1
As for sleeping, it’s greatest to get to Le Havre within the night and discover a good lodge there. This is the most important metropolis within the space, and it’s only a quick 35-minute drive from Étretat. You can seize a pleasant dinner right here as nicely!
Here are my 3 high lodge suggestions in Le Havre for all budgets:
- Hôtel Saint-Delis ($$$) – This citadel lodge is barely outdoors of the town middle, nevertheless it’s ultimate in case you’re seeking to spoil your self on this trip!
- Odalys City ($$) – A preferred lodge amongst {couples} and households with a superb breakfast and a central location.
- Holiday Inn Express ($) – Situated proper in downtown Le Havre, this lodge is ideal for backpackers and informal vacationers on a price range.
Day 2: Deauville, Cider Route, and Caen
● Time: 50 minutes
● Distance: 43 km (27 mi)
● How to get there from Le Havre: automobile is €85, bus is round €5
● Why go to: lovely nature, medieval fortresses
● Key exercise: Go cider tasting, see the Caen Castle
● Estimated day by day price range: €250
On Day 2, depart from Le Havre within the morning after breakfast and go straight to Deauville. If you don’t drive, you’ll be able to catch the bus Line 20, which takes as much as 70 minutes (Moovit is a very helpful app for planning your commute).
This day is among the most culturally numerous days on this itinerary, because it’s actually going to be a delight for all senses! From lovely nature and seaside to scrumptious cider tasting to spectacular medieval fortresses, these spots are assured to go away you wanting extra.
Ideally, arrive in Deauville round 11 AM and catch some tan on this charming seaside resort. A stroll alongside the Les Planches Broadwalk (map) is a should, after which you’ll be able to descend on the Deauville Beach adjoining to it (map). Don’t overlook a photograph of the colourful umbrellas!
Then, drive alongside the Cider Route (map) and ideally make a minimum of one enjoyable cease for cider tasting or purchasing. Calvados Pierre HUET (in Cambremer, map) and Domaine Dupont (map) are nice estates for a tour!
INSIDER TIP: Stop by Beuvron-en-Auge (map) for a fast break, it’s often known as one among France’s most lovely villages!
Finally, arrive in Caen simply after sundown, verify in your lodge, and discover this lovely metropolis at evening! You’ll have some extra time for sightseeing right here as you’ll be staying for two nights!
NOTE: If you aren’t doing the itinerary on a automobile, journey sharing is your quickest and most cost-effective solution to transfer round, particularly to get from Deauville to Caen, or actually from any massive metropolis the place the practice arrives to any smaller one!
Day 2 in Deauville, Cider Route, and Caen
- Walk Les Blanches Broadwalk in Deauville
- Chill out at Deauville Beach
- Go cider tasting alongside the Cider Route
- See Beuvron-sur-Auge, essentially the most picturesque village in France
- Catch a sundown in Caen
Where to remain in Caen
I selected the three top-rated lodges in Caen to make your keep nice and handy. They all have parking on the premises!
- Luxury: Domaine de Coeurmandie – Spoil your self and keep on this 4-star chateau with free non-public parking, a stunning on-site restaurant, an out of doors pool, and a spa middle!
- Mid-range: Hôtel la Fontaine – Fancy staying within the metropolis middle? This clear and comfy lodge is your spot! Just observe that they cost €22 for parking per day.
- Budget: The People Caen – Another centrally situated lodge however at extra reasonably priced costs, with non-public parking (€15 per day) and a 24-hour entrance desk.
Subscribe right here to stand up to 35% off your lodging to your subsequent journey!
Day 3: Bayeux, D-Day Beaches
● Time: 35 minutes
● Distance: 30 km (19 mi)
● How to get there from Caen: automobile is €76, practice is round €10
● Why go to: charming historical past
● Key exercise: Bayeux Tapestry Museum, D-Day Beaches
● Estimated day by day price range: €250
On Day 3, we’re going to go to a few of my favourite spots in Normandy! If you’re a historical past lover, you’re going to like each main stops at the moment!
I counsel you get up early, have your breakfast in Caen, take a look at the long-lasting Caen Castle (map) for round 1 hour, after which hit the street for Bayeux to see the long-lasting Bayeux Tapestry!
The Bayeux Tapestry is a 70-meter (230-ft) lengthy and 50-meter (20-inch) tall embroidery material that depicts the Norman conquest of England within the eleventh century.
I couldn’t consider the eye to element on this masterpiece, over 1,000 years outdated. And actually, that you must see it in particular person to grasp how superior it’s! That’s why I extremely suggest a cease right here earlier than transferring to the D-Day Beaches. It took us round 1 hour to tour the museum, and after that, we continued towards the seashores as nicely.
NOTE: The Bayeux Tapestry Museum will probably be closed for renovation from September 1st, 2025 till October 2027.
From the museum, it’s a brief 17-minute journey to the subsequent cease, Arromanches (map). Here, you’ll be able to see the remnants of the momentary Mulberry Harbor that facilitated fast cargo offloading in the course of the main Normandy operations in WWII.
A go to right here shouldn’t take greater than 45 minutes, after which you’ll be able to go to the subsequent cease. See some German bunkers and locations the place they hid their weapons at Longues-sur-Mer (map), as this spot is certainly one of many highlights. It’s only a 13-minute journey from Arromanches.
Finally, Omaha Beach (map), one of many well-known touchdown websites, is nice for an off-the-cuff stroll. You can’t assist however mirror on all of the vital occasions that occurred on this place. The seaside is situated some 18 km (11 mi) from Longues-sur-Mer.
NOTE: All sights I discussed above, apart from the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, are free to go to. The Bayeux Museum prices €12. If you don’t drive, it’s greatest to get a guided tour of the D-Day Beaches from Caen.
OPTIONAL STOP: American vacationers would admire an additional cease on the Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery of American troopers fallen in WWII (map), only a 10-minute journey from Omaha Beach.
After an insightful day on the coast of Normandy, you’ll be able to head again to Caen for a soothing dinner and a great relaxation earlier than your final day of sightseeing!
Day 3 in Bayeux and D-Day Beaches
- See the magnificent Bayeux Tapestry Museum
- Check out the Mulberry Harbor remnants at Arromanches
- Visit the German bunkers and batteries at Longues-sur-Mer
- Reflect on the previous at Omaha Beach
Day 4: Mont Saint Michel
● Time: 2 hours
● Distance: 156 km (97 mi)
● How to get there from Caen: automobile is €95, bus is round €17
● Why go to: wonderful surroundings
● Key exercise: Visit the Mont Saint Michel Abbey
● Estimated day by day price range: €200
Finally, on Day 4 of this Normandy itinerary, we’re going to my absolute favourite spot in all of France! I dreamt of visiting Mont Saint Michel for years, and when you’ve got such excessive expectations of a spot, it’s very easy to get upset when you really get there. But that wasn’t the case right here in any respect!
Mont Saint Michel is a one-of-a-kind island on the border between Normandy and Bretagne with a spectacular medieval Abbey on high. It’s a singular sight and one among France’s most iconic vacationer sights!
So, as traditional, stand up early, have your breakfast within the lodge (or a close-by bakery), and hit the street for Mont Saint Michel! The journey from Caen is easy and takes round 2 hours.
I like to recommend attending to Mont Saint Michel round 11 PM on the newest, so you’ve got a minimum of 7 hours to discover earlier than closure. Think of it as a tiny city with distractions all over.
The parking, nevertheless, is sort of 3 km (1.9 mi) away from the precise island, and there’s a free shuttle that runs from side to side 24/7. So think about round half-hour to 1 hour to catch the free shuttle from the car parking zone to the island and vice versa. The journey is round quarter-hour a technique. You may additionally stroll, there are good views, however I don’t suggest it in case you’re quick on time. Here’s a full-access plan to plan your journey higher.
Also, for visits to the Abbey, that you must reserve your spot, so that you’d higher do that prematurely, particularly in case you’re not versatile with the dates!
INSIDER TIP: Head to the bridge proper initially of the entry street to the island (map) for essentially the most wonderful views. Leave some further time to take the photographs in your manner again, and think about your self fortunate in case you’re right here in the course of the sundown!
As you wrap up your go to, drive again to Paris. It’s a protracted journey (round 4 hours), so take into consideration whether or not it’s best to keep for that sundown or not! We visited in winter, and the sundown was at about 5pm, so we had greater than sufficient time to get again to Paris at an honest hour.
Alternatively, in case you resolve to hire a automobile in Caen, simply drop off your rental within the metropolis and hop on the subsequent practice to Paris! The route from Mont Saint Michel to Paris passes by means of Caen anyway.
Day 4 at Mont Saint Michel
- Enter Mont Saint Michel by means of Porte de l’Avancée (map)
- Climb the ramparts for gorgeous views
- Walk the medieval streets of Mont Saint Michel
- Visit the Abbey (1-2 hours)
- Stroll down Grande Rue (map)
- Catch the gorgeous sundown from the close by bridge (map)
Customizing the itinerary
Have roughly time for Normandy? No worries, that’s why I made the itinerary customizations beneath!
5-day itinerary
If you’ve got extra time for Normandy, observe the itinerary above after which add yet one more day:
- Day 5: Suisse Normande + Falaise, for essentially the most scenic routes within the countryside
2-day itinerary
And in case you’re quick on time, you’ll be able to nonetheless see the highlights in 2 days, however that is solely doable by automobile:
- Day 1: Rouen, Étretat, sleep in Caen
- Day 2: Bayeux, D-Day Beaches (optionally available Mont Saint Michel), again to Paris
| 📅 How many days: | 4 |
| 🤩 Best city: | Le Havre |
| 🏨 Best lodge: | Hôtel Saint-Delis |
| 🌞 When to go to: | April to September |
FAQs in regards to the Normandy itinerary
4️⃣ How many days do you want in Normandy?
4 days is right to discover Normandy’s most important sights with out speeding. For detailed sightseeing of D-Day Beaches plus all the opposite sights, keep as much as 7 days.
🏰 What is the prettiest a part of Normandy?
This actually relies upon! For me, it’s the realm round Mont Saint Michel, however many individuals love the small villages within the North, just like the Beuvron-en-Auge.
🚗 What is one of the best ways to see Normandy, France?
Driving, for certain! It’s essentially the most versatile possibility that provides you countless alternatives for brief stops to admire the surroundings, stroll in small, picturesque villages, and go to at your individual tempo.
🇫🇷 Why is Normandy so well-known?
Normandy is legendary for its wealthy historical past. This is the place the Allied forces invaded Nazi-occupied France in WWII, which helped liberate the remainder of Europe. Also, Normandy is understood for spectacular castles like Mont Saint Michel and the dramatic cliffs in Étretat.
🚆 How to go to Normandy from Paris?
Depending in your price range, time, and prospects, you’ll be able to hire a automobile, e book a tour, or hop on a regional practice to go to Normandy.
❓ What are the three greatest cities in Normandy?
Rouen, Caen, and Le Havre are the three greatest cities in Normandy, demographically talking.
Final ideas on the Normandy itinerary
That’s it, expensive reader! You made it to the top of our Normandy itinerary! I hope it has given you tons of helpful info and concepts so you’ll be able to set up your journey like a professional!
I actually love this area for its wealthy historical past and surreal landscapes, so I say take as a lot time as you’ll be able to to soak all its magnificence. If you ask me, the Bayeux Museum, D-Day Beaches, and Mont Saint Michel are absolute must-sees right here!
Do bear in mind to e book your lodges prematurely, there are restricted choices, in any case! And lastly, in case you have any questions, be happy to drop a remark beneath! I’m at all times comfortable to assist!
Au revoir,
Darija
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