Normandy/Brittany suggestions

We pretty much did your entire itinerary (though in reverse) in April 2024! We left Bayeux, stopped at Beuvron-en-Auge, on to Honfleur for lunch stopped at an Abbey, then arriving in Rouen around 5pm.

I would maybe plan to do the abbey's on day 3 on your way to Bayeux.

Wonderful trip! enjoy!

All great places. We were there last July.
Where possible, book accomodation with parking. It's a nightmare otherwise.
Be prepared to park outisde and walk at some D Day places.

This sounds like a good plan. As for your day 5, there is much to see in Bayeux once you are done with your tour the previous day. So you could easily spend the morning there before leaving for MSM. Alternatively, the town of Avranches is a nice stopover for lunch and there are the ruins of an old castle in town and the Scriptorial museum—which houses the original monk's manuscripts from MSM (which is barely visible on clear days).

On your way to Bayeux, and depending on what stops your D-day tour will include, there are some good British D-day areas of interest including Pegasus Bridge and Le Grand Bunker - Museum of the Atlantic Wall. If your tour is mostly focused on American operations, these places may not be included, and will give you a more balanced presentation of D-day overall. But I would check with your tour company ahead of time.

I am not sure what is or isn't included on the route of the Ancient Abbeys, but a great stop just outside of Giverny is the Castle of La Roche-Guyon. This castle offer commanding views over the Seine River if your legs will get you there, and was used as headquarters for Field Marshall Erwin Rommel—who commanded the German Forces in Normandy during the battle of Normandy.

Regarding Day 1: it would be easier to get the car in/near Paris, for example around Porte Maillot or, further afield, Mantes La Jolie.
This will make visiting Giverny much more efficient, and with a car you can also visit nearby La Roche Guyon or Château Gaillard before heading to Rouen.

Regarding Days 2/3: Honfleur makes more sense as a stop on the way to Bayeux, and the Abbeys as a loop from Rouen.

Regarding Day 5: you could stop in Avranches, planning for lunch at le Littré and visiting the aforementioned castle & Scriptorial.

I'd do St Malo over Dinan. They are not far apart. The old city of St Malo is far more extensive than Dinan.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful and interesting suggestions, there is a lot for us to mull over.

Check into the current situation in Honfleur before heading there. I read something a few weeks ago that several of the historic blocks by the harbor were closed even to pedestrians because the buildings were unstable.

On day 3 i recommend stopping here for lunch.

https://www.ladegusterie.com/en/homepage/

Beautiful town and the best tasting cheese and cider I’ve ever had. They specialize in the 4 main cheeses of Normandy and for whatever reason they tasted better here than in other places I bought them.

I’m not a big fan of the msm stay over. For my money I would rather spend 2 nights in Dinan and drive to msm whenever you want. However, if you are looking to kill time on day 5 I love this place for oysters and mussels. You can buy fries next door.

https://ladegustationtonneau.fr/

If you like cathedrals there’s one in nearby Dol.

I like Dinan, San Malo and MSM but the advantage Dinan has is the Rance River. There’s an amazing walk between Dinan port and Lehan. Also you can rent bikes or kayaks. Lots of fun outdoors things to do. The Rick Steves recommended Creperie Anna in Dinan is great. As is this place for Far Breton.

https://www.gat-et-vous.fr/

In San Malo we’ve been to here a few times but our visit last summer was probably our last as we just didn’t enjoy it.

https://www.breizhcafe.com

I find San Malo to be a fun place to hang out at night but not a must see destination (I’m a big fan of the book too).

In Rouen I highly recommend this place for dinner. You need to make reservations as it is tiny. One of my favorite dinners in France.

https://tandem-rouen.fr/

On driving from Paris on day 1. I did it and can say the drive from cdg to Monet house was super easy but the next leg to Rouen was long, trafficked, and city driving at the end. However, we made it just fine and parked in the garage at the train station which was fine and a good deal.

We did a similar trip last May, but in reverse. Although we started in the Loire Valley, chateau hopping for a few days. On our drive from Bayeux to Honfleur we drove on the northern route of the Cider Route, since northern France is known for its’ cider rather than wine. We stopped in several of the little villages on the way and visited one of the cider mills. It was a lovely - off the beaten path - drive, and very different from anywhere else we had been.

https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/the-cider-route/

Can whole-heartedly recommend the Le Moulin de la Galette restaurant in Bayeux (if you need a suggestion). Atmosphere, food, service all 5 Star. Our most memorable meal in France last year. Reservations are highly suggested. Have a wonderful trip.

Wow, thank you. Love all of the restaurant suggestions. We are so; looking forward to the food in Normandy.

Just want to clarify, the Normandy/Brittany part of our trip is the second half, in the first half we are going to Paris for 5 days (sans car of course) because my husband wants to see the end of the Tour de France (Major bucket list item). Then we are going to take the train to Giverny and stay overnight (my bucket list item) and then take the train to Rouen. So, although going to Normandy directly from the airport makes sense, starting in Rouen and renting a car works better for our schedule.

I'd suggest at least visiting Trouville/ Deauville or Cabourg to check out a beach side town. If even just for a lunch.