Please sign in to post.

3 nights in south Normandy itinerary suggestions.

Posted by (Edmonds) on

We will be travelling from Rouen by car to south Normandy and staying 3 nights in Port en Bessi in May 2025. From there we leave for Dinan and touring Brittany. I plan to devote one full day to the DDay beaches with a professional guide. I would also like to explore the countryside and see small charming town as well as sampling cider and good food.
My initial question is, do you think Port en Bessin is too small a town. It looks charming and seems well situated for exploring. We are not looking for night life, only a good nights sleep. I had considered Bayeux but struggled with room sizes and stair options.. Any thoughts on routes and restaurants would be helpful. Don't need Michelin stars but do really like good food.

I've always benefited from this forum in planning trips and hope I can get some guidance here.

Thanks!!

Posted by
11036 posts

Port-en-Bessin is a perfectly fine size and has plenty of restaurant options.

Posted by
2333 posts

In Rouen, a couple months ago, I had a very good meal at Brasserie Paul, which is near the cathedral. I just did the daily special and it was very good.

The best cider I found was at Cidrerie Théo Capelle, up on the peninsula towards Cherbourg. I'd love to have another case, but shipping is too dear to make it worthwhile.

I spent 4 nights in Bayeux, but can't say I was excited by the dining options. A couple time I just went to Carrefour (the large one off Leclerck) and got something from the counters.

Port en Bessin should be an interesting place to stay. i was quite amused by the number of places catering to American and British diets along the coastal roads. May is an excellent time to explore that area. Have fun.

Posted by
1462 posts

Port-en-Bessin is a perfectly fine size and has plenty of restaurant
options.

What Kim said. It is basically between Bayeux and Omaha Beach. There are several eateries right near the harbor, and you can walk to shops and the beach from almost anywhere.Just inland are several mom & pop Calvados distilleries—some right along the D514 as I recall. They usually don't advertise other than a small sign at the end of their driveway, but you might ask your hotel/b&b hosts for locations. You could also easily drive in to Bayeux for restaurants, and many tour guides meet their customers in Bayeux.

Posted by
193 posts

Sounds like a nice trip. Took a German friend to Port en Bessin to see where her father surrendered to the Americans on June 6, 1944.

Restaurants and accommodations at Port en Bessin are quite nice and an alternative to Bayeux. (Although Bayeux had some exceptional dining)

As to touring the beaches a one day tour with a private guide or a group tour will be rudimentary with a lot of driving to cover 60+ miles of territory from Pegasus Bridge to St Mere Eglise. Allow more time if you can.

It’s fun and there are endless ideas that pop up here.

Posted by
102 posts

Thanks all for your responses. Sounds like Port en Bessin will work perfectly. I sometimes need a reality check when planning a trip. We don't want to be in the middle of nowhere but have found we enjoy the small to middle size towns as a base when there are lots of things to do in the area. I'll work on filling in the details a bit and then come back and ask for more opinions.

Many thanks!

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.