Normandy Trip Itinerary

We just spent six nights in Normandy and could've used more and we do not have family history there. We had a car and Normandy was our last week of a three and half week trip to France. We spent a night on Mont Saint Michel, which I highly recommend. It is so awesome to be on the Mont without the crowds, we walked the ramparts at sunrise and we were the only souls up and about. We spent three nights in Bayeux, which remember is only two full days. We spent a day just exploring Bayeux, and really loved the Bayeux Tapestry. The other day we did a full day tour of the D-Day sites with Overlords. It was amazing and we learned so much more having a guide than driving around on our own. If you want to message me I can give you more info. We spent two nights in Rouen which was enough to see the sights there. We would've liked to seen more of the coastline and some inland towns too. Your trip sounds wonderful but if you can stretch it to ten days I would.

Full day D-day tour would be a must for me. We did the much recommended overnight at Mont St Michel, rather than visit during the day when all the day trippers are there.

I did a Normandy road trip with a friend way back in 1990. We did just 4 nights, a different stop every night, and I'm amazed looking back at how much and how much ground we covered in that short time. But distances are short, so with a car we were easily able to drive from town to town, stop, explore for an hour or two, and move on.

Here's what we did. It was at the tail end of a tour of England. We took a train from London to Portsmouth and a ferry to Ouistreham, then a bus to Caen where we spent the first night.

Next day we picked up our rental car and drove to Bayeux, where we spent a few hours to see the tapestry and the cathedral. I wish we had spent more time there. We drove to Coutances (beautiful cathedral) and then Granville (charming town with an old town at the top of cliffs with great views), and then to Dol de Bretagne, where we spent the night.

Next day we went to Mont-Saint-Michel, and we spent the night there, which was worth doing, as the crowds were massive during the day (even almost 30 years ago).

Next day we headed east. I don't remember all the stops we made along the way, other than Falaise, which was worth a short stop. We spent the night in Lisieux, which was the only really bad choice we made. It has a basilica devoted to Saint Teresa, and the entire town seems to worship her (including all the souvenir shops). Being non-religious people, it was not the best choice for us to spend the night.

Last day we drove to Rouen. We also stopped at Jumieges Abbey, which I absolutely loved and highly recommend. We also made a short stop in Tancarville, and while I don't remember much, from my pictures I can say it was well worth visiting if only to see the chateau. Next we went to Honfleur, which is so delightful -- another highly recommended stop. After all that we got back to Ouistreham, dropped off the car, and caught an overnight ferry back to Portsmouth so we could catch our flight home from Heathrow the next day.

So to summarize, so many wonderful places to see in Normandy, but many of them are small towns and villages that you can enjoy in a short visit. Distances are short and the highways are two-lane roads through rural rolling hills. In May 1990 there was little traffic. I don't know what it would be like now. I highly recommend the stops I've boldfaced above. You can do it in more time and I'm sure if you do, you will discover many more delights than we did.

Note the clear advice above: spend the night on Mont St Michel, rather than doing it as a day trip. You'll get a great, memorable, and crowd-free experience.

I agree that you do not have too much time planned for that fascinating area. I think you'll do best to be there not around the time of the D-Day anniversary, because others have pointed out that accommodations fill up very early for that time period.

I also am one who pushes use of a one-day tour to see the invasion sites. Be sure you go with a company that uses vans rather than large buses; perhaps all the tours based in Bayeux do so. I liked Overlord, but others on this forum have been happy with tours offered by other companies.

Places of interest in roughly the area you're speaking of that I don't believe anyone else has mentioned are:

• New Occupation Museum in Falaise: Different from the many other WW II museums in the area, it focuses on civilian life, including the activities of the Resistance, under the German Occupation. English translations abound.

• Peace Museum in Caen: This is a wide-ranging museum that covers more than just the period of the war itself. One can spend a full day there, and some find it overwhelming. Can be mobbed. It does have a café for mid-day sandwiches and snacks.

• World War II Museum in Bayeux: This museum's coverage is more what one might expect. It is quite good. It's not right in the center. I think the British Cemetery is in the same general area.

• Dinard: Picturesque town across the river from St. Malo.

• Dinan. Picturesque town south of St. Malo.

• Fougeres: Relatively non-touristy town ESE of Mont-St.-Michel. Would be a diversion, but I think not too time-consuming with a car.

I would imagine it is definitely worth renting a car to explore?

So I am thinking maybe 1 night Caen after arriving in Paris and picking up a car in Caen.
2 nights in Rouen
1 night in Honfleur
3 nights in Bayeux
1 night at Mont St Michel
Return the car in Caen and catch a train back to Paris for 1 or 2 nights before flying home.

Does that sound like a reasonable itinerary?

If you don't have specific plans in Caen, I'd just head to Rouen and rent a car there when you're ready to start exploring outside the city. Ignore this suggestion if you plan to see the Peace Museum or other Caen sights before heading to Rouen.

The night in Caen is primarily to go down to Falaise. My family allegedly originated in a small village just west of Falaise and 2 or 3 ancestors are on the Falaise roll, with one listed as a commander under William at Hastings. So I really want to visit Falaise, William's castle, and go over to Pierrepont west of Falaise.

That makes sense; Falaise is easy to reach from Caen.

I'd probably make one train trip between Paris-Rouen and the other between Paris-Caen. Make Rouen first or last and Caen at the other end of your planned loop. Virtually every train to Rouen is direct but some stop more often and the duration is longer. Not every train continues to Caen but many do, pick one of those so you don't have to get off and change trains. SNCF wants you to pick a time for a train search. After results pop-up, keep choosing earlier/later to find some direct options.

I always print out my ticket at the yellow kiosks in the station (similar to printing boarding pass at the airport). If the top of the ticket says it's good for a period starting at a certain hour, you need to validate it as you board. If your ticket has a specific car and seat, you probably don't need to validate. I've done it wrong more than once and the conductors have been fairly patient with me. If you aren't sure, ask anyone in the station dressed like a conductor, they can help you.

When searching for rental car pick up or drop off, avoid mid-day. Rental agencies, even in Rouen, often have hours like 7:30 to 11:30 then 2:00 to 6:00. If you search for a car at noon, the search won't show these agents as options. Search with pick up/drop off at 10 AM or 3 PM to see all your options.

Caen is a decent town with a Norman castle and giant D-Day museum. You can probably use time more productively there than in Bayeaux. I really liked the Bayeaux Tapestry. Other than that it's a small town, nice but doesn't need a lot of time unless you just want to relax. You can get a D-Day tour just as easily from either Cean or Bayeaux.

@acraven, makes some great suggestions, including Dinan and Dinard. Dinard has a unique retro beach vibe and has lovely views over the water of Saint Malo.

We found Cherbourg interesting if you are in the area. They have a D-Day museum at the top of a bluff/hill with interesting city/harbor views. The view was probably more interesting than picturesque. It made an impression, though, almost the whole city is newish, in less than attractive post WWII architecture (because it was so heavily bombed).

A Normandy town that doesn't get much discussion, is Arromanches. Perhaps because there is so much to see in Normandy. There is a WWII artificial harbor just off the lovely beach. Also, a terrific, small WWII museum that describes Arromanches role in the invasion. The town is cute with a great restaurant in the Le Mulberry Inn. The inn is a great value with a charming host couple if you need a place to overnight.