Car-Free Normandy 5-Day Rail Itinerary
Travel entirely by train and bus, visiting Rouen, Bayeux, the D-Day Landing Beaches, and Mont Saint-Michel before returning to Paris.
A Normandy itinerary designed for non-drivers. Connect major cities by intercity trains, visit the D-Day Landing Beaches via local buses or small-group tours from Bayeux, transfer to Mont Saint-Michel by bus from Pontorson, and return via Rennes by TGV. This route skips Étretat and Honfleur, which lack train stations, in exchange for fewer transfers and no car rental. Some segments have infrequent services, so plan your schedule in advance.
Bus and direct train services are reduced in winter; double-check schedules between Bayeux and Pontorson.
Day by day
Day 1 · Train to Rouen
Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Rouen Cathedral & Old Town、Gros-Horloge, Rouen、Place du Vieux-Marché & Church of St Joan of Arc、Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen）
Take the Intercités train from Gare Saint-Lazare to Rouen (approx. 1 hour 25 minutes). Walk or take the metro from the station to the Old Town.
Stay: Rouen Old Town
Day 2 · Rouen to Bayeux via Caen
Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Saint-Maclou Church & Aître Saint-Maclou） → Bayeux & D-Day Beaches（Mémorial de Caen、Bayeux Cathedral、Bayeux Old Town & Aure Mills）
Take the train from Rouen to Caen (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes). After visiting the Memorial, take a 20-minute train ride to Bayeux.
The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is closed for renovation until October 2027.
Stay: Bayeux Old Town
Day 3 · D-Day Landing Beaches Small-Group Tour
Bayeux & D-Day Beaches（Arromanches & Mulberry Harbour、Omaha Beach & Normandy American Cemetery、Pointe du Hoc）
Join a small-group tour from Bayeux, or take the Bus Verts lines to Omaha Beach and Arromanches, returning the same day.
Pointe du Hoc is difficult to reach by public bus; if you wish to visit, joining a small-group tour and booking in advance is recommended.
Stay: Bayeux Old Town
Day 4 · Train & Bus to Mont Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel（Mont-Saint-Michel & Abbey）
Take the regional train from Bayeux to Pontorson (approx. 2 hours 20 minutes), then transfer to the bus to the foot of the mount (approx. 20 minutes).
Services on this route are very limited daily; secure your train tickets before booking accommodation.
Stay: On Mont-Saint-Michel Island
Day 5 · Morning in the Bay & Return to Paris
Mont-Saint-Michel（Couesnon Dam & Footbridge） → Rennes（Rennes Old Town）
Take the bus to Rennes before noon (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes). After exploring the Old Town, take the TGV back to Paris (approx. 1 hour 35 minutes).
The Keolis bus has limited daily departures; tickets must be booked in advance.