Classic Normandy

Drive west from Giverny, connecting Rouen, the Alabaster Coast, Honfleur, the D-Day Landing Beaches, and Mont Saint-Michel.

This is the classic Normandy route used by most travel guides, driving from east to west without backtracking, taking about a week. The first part covers Impressionism and medieval towns, the middle section follows the coast, the latter part dedicates two days to the D-Day Landing Beaches, and the trip ends with an overnight stay at the foot of Mont Saint-Michel. Staying in five different locations, it is ideal for first-time visitors who can drive. Drop off your rental car at Rennes and take the TGV high-speed train back to Paris to avoid a long drive back.

Monet's Gardens in Giverny are usually closed from November to March; other attractions can be visited in winter.

Day by day

Day 1 · Monet's Gardens to Rouen

Paris（Monet's House and Gardens, Giverny） → Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Place du Vieux-Marché & Church of St Joan of Arc、Gros-Horloge, Rouen）

Pick up your car in Paris and drive to Giverny (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes). After lunch, drive to Rouen (approx. 1 hour) and explore on foot after parking.

Tickets for Monet's Gardens must be booked in advance; morning entry is less crowded.

Stay: Rouen Old Town

Day 2 · Rouen Old Town Day Trip

Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Rouen Cathedral & Old Town、Saint-Maclou Church & Aître Saint-Maclou、Abbey of Saint-Ouen, Rouen、Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen）

Spend the day walking around the Old Town, where attractions are within a 10-15 minute walk of each other. Leave your car in the parking lot.

Stay: Rouen Old Town

Day 3 · Abbey Road to the Alabaster Coast

Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Jumièges Abbey、Étretat Cliffs、Les Jardins d'Étretat）

Drive from Rouen to Jumièges (approx. 40 minutes), then continue to Étretat (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes), mostly along scenic country roads.

The cliff paths can be very windy; bring a jacket if you plan to watch the sunset in the evening.

Stay: Étretat

Day 4 · Le Havre to Honfleur

Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret、St. Joseph's Church, Le Havre、Honfleur Old Harbour、Church of St. Catherine, Honfleur、Musée Eugène Boudin）

Drive from Étretat to Le Havre (approx. 40 minutes), then cross the Normandy Bridge to Honfleur (approx. 30 minutes).

Stay: Honfleur Old Harbour

Day 5 · Pays d'Auge Countryside to Bayeux

Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen（Deauville Beach & Les Planches、Beuvron-en-Auge） → Bayeux & D-Day Beaches（Mémorial de Caen、Bayeux Cathedral、Bayeux Old Town & Aure Mills）

Drive along the coast from Honfleur to Deauville (approx. 20 minutes), then head to Caen via Beuvron-en-Auge (approx. 1 hour), and continue to Bayeux (30 minutes).

Allow at least three hours for the Caen Memorial Museum; booking tickets in advance is recommended.

Stay: Bayeux Old Town

Day 6 · D-Day Landing Beaches (British & American Sectors)

Bayeux & D-Day Beaches（Arromanches & Mulberry Harbour、Longues-sur-Mer Battery、Omaha Beach & Normandy American Cemetery、Pointe du Hoc）

Using Bayeux as a base, drive from east to west along the coast. Driving times between sites are about 15 to 30 minutes. Return to Bayeux in the evening.

The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is closed for renovation until October 2027.

Stay: Bayeux Old Town

Day 7 · Utah Beach to Mont Saint-Michel

Bayeux & D-Day Beaches（Sainte-Mère-Église & Airborne Museum、Utah Beach Landing Museum） → Mont-Saint-Michel（Couesnon Dam & Footbridge）

Drive from Bayeux to Sainte-Mère-Église (approx. 50 minutes). After visiting Utah Beach, head south to the bay (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes).

Cars can only be parked in the mainland parking lot; transfer to the shuttle bus or walk up the mount.

Stay: Beauvoir

Day 8 · Mont Saint-Michel to Rennes & Return

Mont-Saint-Michel（Mont-Saint-Michel & Abbey） → Rennes（Rennes Old Town）

Take the morning shuttle bus up the mount. After lunch, drive to Rennes (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes), return your rental car, and take the TGV (approx. 1 hour 35 minutes) back to Paris.

The Abbey has timed entry slots; book tickets in advance and check the tide tables.