Northern France

The regions of Normandy and Hauts-de-France, best known for Mont-Saint-Michel, the D-Day beaches, the cliffs of Étretat and the old town of Lille.

This region consists of Normandy and Hauts-de-France. It faces the English Channel and Belgium to the north and borders Île-de-France to the south and Northeastern France (home of Champagne) to the east. In the southwest, the Couesnon River separates it from Brittany, which belongs to Western France; Mont-Saint-Michel, at the river's mouth, belongs to Normandy. Normandy has the greatest concentration of sights: the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel in its bay; Caen and Bayeux (home of the Bayeux Tapestry), along with the D-Day landing beaches such as Omaha and Utah and the American cemetery; the port of Honfleur, the chalk sea arches of Étretat, Rouen Cathedral and the sites linked to Joan of Arc; and Giverny, where Monet spent his later years. Hauts-de-France has the old town and fine arts museum of Lille, Amiens Cathedral, the First World War battlefields of the Somme, Calais and Cap Gris-Nez on the Opal Coast; the Château de Chantilly and Beauvais are also in this region. The classic route is Paris – Giverny – Rouen – Étretat – Honfleur – Bayeux/D-Day beaches – Mont-Saint-Michel, by car in 4–5 days; Lille can be combined with Paris and Brussels, and Eurostar and TGV make it very convenient to reach. At Mont-Saint-Michel, check the tide times and transfer to the shuttle bus at your accommodation or the car park. Accommodation is tight in early June during the D-Day commemorations. The sea wind is strong, so bring a windproof and waterproof jacket in every season.

Destinations

• Lille
• Mont-Saint-Michel
• Bayeux & D-Day Beaches
• Honfleur, Étretat & Rouen
• Amiens & Somme
• Baie de Somme
• Opal Coast – Two Capes

Itineraries

• Classic Normandy – Drive west from Giverny, connecting Rouen, the Alabaster Coast, Honfleur, the D-Day Landing Beaches, and Mont Saint-Mic…
• Paris, Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel & Loire Valley 10-Day Self-Drive Itinerary – A self-drive loop from Paris connecting Giverny, the Normandy coast, Mont Saint-Michel, and the Loire châteaux.
• 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 Pa…
• 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 retur…
• Hauts-de-France: Lille, Somme & Opal Coast – A loop from Lille through WWI battlefields, Amiens, and the Baie de Somme, heading north to the Channel cliffs before r…
• Amiens & Baie de Somme Weekend – A car-free weekend trip: take the train to see Amiens Cathedral and the floating gardens, then ride a vintage steam tra…
• Paris Art Museums and Le Havre in – Orsay, the Orangerie, Rodin and the Louis Vuitton Foundation, then Le Havre, birthplace of *Impression, Sunrise*.
• Emerald Coast & Mont Saint-Michel – Based in Saint-Malo, drive to Dinan, Cap Fréhel, Cancale, and Mont Saint-Michel.
• Old Paris Neighborhoods and Rouen in – Explore old Paris on foot through the Marais, the Latin Quarter, Montmartre and the canals, then take the train to Roue…
• Brittany Peninsula Coast Loop – A loop around the peninsula from Rennes to Nantes, taking in the Emerald Coast, Crozon cliffs, Pointe du Raz, and the C…