Normandy, Brittany & Loire Valley Grand Tour
Depart from Paris and loop through the Normandy Coast, the Emerald Coast, and the Loire Châteaux before returning to Paris.
Connecting the three major regions of northwestern France into a loop, this is a classic structure for long-haul tours. The Normandy section covers Rouen, the Alabaster Coast, Honfleur, and the D-Day Landing Beaches; Brittany uses Saint-Malo as a base to explore the coast and historic towns; the Loire Valley features four or five representative châteaux. To keep the pace reasonable, southern Brittany is skipped, and smaller towns in Normandy are condensed. With more driving days, this route is suitable for travelers with plenty of time who enjoy long-distance road trips.
Grand Bé Island in Saint-Malo can only be reached on foot at low tide; check the tide tables before setting off.
Day by day
Day 1 · Paris to Rouen
Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Rouen Cathedral & Old Town、Gros-Horloge, Rouen、Place du Vieux-Marché & Church of St Joan of Arc、Saint-Maclou Church & Aître Saint-Maclou）
Pick up your car in Paris and drive along the A13 to Rouen (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes). Explore the Old Town on foot in the afternoon.
Stay: Rouen Old Town
Day 2 · Alabaster Coast to Honfleur
Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Étretat Cliffs、Pont de Normandie、Honfleur Old Harbour、Church of St. Catherine, Honfleur）
Drive from Rouen to Étretat (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes), then cross the Normandy Bridge to Honfleur (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Honfleur Old Harbour
Day 3 · Caen Memorial to Bayeux
Bayeux & D-Day Beaches（Pegasus Bridge & Mémorial Pegasus、Mémorial de Caen、Bayeux Cathedral、Bayeux Old Town & Aure Mills）
Drive from Honfleur to Caen (approx. 1 hour). In the afternoon, drive to Bayeux (approx. 30 minutes) and stroll through the Old Town in the evening.
The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is closed for renovation until October 2027.
Stay: Bayeux Old Town
Day 4 · D-Day Landing Beaches Day Trip
Bayeux & D-Day Beaches（Arromanches & Mulberry Harbour、Omaha Beach & Normandy American Cemetery、Pointe du Hoc）
Drive along the coast from Bayeux and back, with about 1.5 hours of driving throughout the day, returning to Bayeux in the evening.
Stay: Bayeux Old Town
Day 5 · South to Mont Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel（Mont-Saint-Michel & Abbey）
Take the A84 from Bayeux to the bay (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes). Park your car and take the shuttle bus up the mount.
The Abbey has timed entry slots; book tickets in advance. Staying overnight allows you to enjoy the night views.
Stay: Beauvoir
Day 6 · Cancale to Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo & Emerald Coast（Cancale Oyster Market、Pointe du Grouin、Saint-Malo Intra-Muros）
Drive from the bay to Cancale (approx. 50 minutes), then continue along the coast to Saint-Malo (approx. 30 minutes) after lunch.
Parking inside the Old Town is difficult; park outside the city walls and walk in.
Stay: Intra-Muros Old Town
Day 7 · Emerald Coast Day Trip
Saint-Malo & Emerald Coast（Grand Bé、Dinard、Fort La Latte、Cap Fréhel）
Walk to the tidal island in the morning, cross the river to Dinard (approx. 15 minutes), then drive to Cap Fréhel (approx. 1 hour), returning in the evening.
Grand Bé Island is only accessible on foot at low tide; keep an eye on the return time.
Stay: Intra-Muros Old Town
Day 8 · Dinan Old Town to Rennes
Saint-Malo & Emerald Coast（Dinan） → Rennes（Rennes Old Town、Parlement de Bretagne、Parc du Thabor）
Drive from Saint-Malo to Dinan (approx. 35 minutes). In the afternoon, drive to Rennes (approx. 1 hour) and explore the Old Town on foot.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 9 · East to Western Loire Valley
Loire Valley（Château de Villandry）
Drive from Rennes via Angers to Villandry (approx. 3 hours), then continue to Amboise (approx. 50 minutes). This is the longest driving leg of the trip.
Stay: Amboise
Day 10 · Amboise & Chenonceau
Loire Valley（Château d'Amboise、Château du Clos Lucé、Château de Chenonceau）
Explore Amboise on foot in the morning, then drive to Chenonceau (approx. 25 minutes) in the afternoon, returning in the evening.
Stay: Amboise
Day 11 · Chambord to Blois
Loire Valley（Château de Chambord、Château de Cheverny、Château de Blois）
Drive from Amboise to Chambord (approx. 1 hour), then to Cheverny (approx. 25 minutes), and continue to Blois (approx. 25 minutes).
The grounds of Château de Chambord are vast; allow at least half a day.
Stay: Blois
Day 12 · Chartres & Return to Paris
Drive from Blois to Chartres (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes). After visiting the Cathedral, drive back to Paris (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes) to return your rental car.