Draft itinerary 6 days in Normandy

We just got back from that area. We did a 10 night river cruise. Monet's Giverny, Rouen, Abbaye de Jumieges, Etretat, Honfleur, Bayeux Tapestry, Caen WW2 museum ALL absolutely amazing - don't skip any of those.

They are all definitely in our list!

i.mccrae,
We did almost the identical trip and your plans sound great. We already had our rental car before the day we left the Paris area. You may want to figure enough time for the paperwork, etc. involved in rental pickup. The earlier you get to Giverny the better, IMO. And we didn't leave from Paris proper, but a suburb where we were staying. So glad you are staying the night in Rouen, an often neglected stop based on what I read on the forum. And the Abbey at Jumiege will be a highlight!
Have a great trip!

P.S. The tapestry will probably be gone by the time of your trip...down for a refurbishment/restoration for about 2 years. And I have heard the Caen museum can be a history overload and needs a whole day. I've seen both sides of the debate on this here on the forum. If possible, be at the American Cemetery for the flag lowering at day's end...very moving. (abmc.gov has info about the sights in Normandy.)
Bonne chance!

Sounds like a nice trip. One word of caution since many days you'll be driving around with all your luggage in the car. Never open the trunk in a parking lot which lets the whole world know this is a car with luggage in the trunk. If you need to get anything out then pull over a few miles before your stop and get it there.

As a Normandie resident, I've long been puzzled by the "Cider Route" focus so many tourists seem to have. It's not really an activity that residents do. But if that's your interest, bear in mind cider and calvados are made in many places all over Normandie, not just east of Caen on what the Normandie tourism board calls the cider route.

And that brings me to the reason why I've posted this comment. Day 6 seems to involve departing the area around Mont-Saint-Michel (no terminal "e" on Michel -- he is represented as a man, not a woman), driving through the countryside (I'd be curious what route you plan to take -- there are lots of places in that area you may find interesting), you then mention doing the cider route and afterward staying the night in Caen after returning your rental car.

That involves a considerable backtrack. The places that are on the so-called cider route are well east of Caen; closer to Lisieux.

Rather than backtrack, you might consider proceeding east and returning the rental car in Rouen, then taking the shorter train trip to Paris.

The tapestry will last be seen on August 31 this year for a two year restoration. Sorry you will be too late.

Bob,
If we head back to Caen for the last night and don’t do the actual cider route, can you suggest stops between Mont St Michel and Caen where we might find some cider and cheese producers so we don’t have to backtrack? Or other interesting villages or stops for that last day. Thanks

But if that's your interest, bear in mind cider and calvados are made
in many places all over Normandie, not just east of Caen on what the
Normandie tourism board calls the cider route.

I have never done the official "Cider Route," but when in Normandy in the WWII areas, you often see cideries and Calvados distilleries along the side of the smaller roads. Most are small, family run operations with tastings and product for sale. I always buy a bottle for my trip, and at least another to bring home.

PharmerPhil is correct -- most of them are small family-run operations. This link lists some that may be of interest on the Cotentin Peninsula, which lies between Mont-Saint-Michel and Caen.