4 Best Day Trips to Normandy from Paris

The D-Day beaches, Rouen, the splendid coastal towns… there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Normandy. The region is vast but can be easily reached from the French capital, especially if you opt for an organised tour.

Among the things to see and do in Paris, a visit to the surrounding regions is a must. Normandy will surprise you with its cliffs plunging into the Atlantic and a green countryside of extraordinary beauty.

On 6 June 1944, Allied troops landed on Omaha Beach. What has gone down in history as ‘D-Day’ marked a turning point in the Second World War and the definitive decline of the German advance.

These tours depart from Paris very early in the morning (around 7:00 am) and include the following stops:

• Omaha Beach, where units from the US 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions landed. The Les Braves monument commemorates this incredible feat
• American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of the soldiers who gave their lives for freedom. It is located in the town of Colleville-sur-Mer
• Arromanches-les-Bains, a coastal town known for its white cliffs plunging into the Atlantic. The price of the tour usually includes entry to the Arromanches 360° photo archive, which brings together snapshots from D-Day.
• Juno Beach, the beach captured by Canadian troops

Throughout the trip, you’ll have access to both an expert guide and tickets to the main attractions. Some tours of Normandy include lunch and a cider tasting, but if not, you can also find a bar or restaurant in Arromanches-les-Bains. The coach usually returns to Paris in the afternoon.

• Duration: approximately 13 hours
• Price: between €150 and €200

These tours include one night’s accommodation and usually visit four towns: Rouen, Honfleur, Saint-Malo and Mont St-Michel, as well as the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy.

Day 1

The first day begins in Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy. Dubbed the ‘city of 100 bell towers’ by Victor Hugo, it is known for its medieval Norman centre, which not even the Hundred Years’ War or the Second World War could damage.

A visit to the city must include Notre-Dame Cathedral; you’ll recognise it by its large rose window and the three slender towers that complete its silhouette.

After the visit, you’ll reach the coastal town of Honfleur. From the 12th century onwards, it became an important port for goods bound for England.

The Vieux Bassin is undoubtedly the must-see attraction. This is the name given to the small harbour surrounded by historic buildings that are reflected in the water.

After lunch on your own – personally, I recommend La Cidrerie – you’ll board the coach again to see the beaches and D-Day landing sites in Normandy. You’ll usually spend the night in a hotel in Caen.

Day 2

On the second day, you’ll leave Caen to head for Saint-Malo, home to legendary pirates and explorers such as Jacques Cartier, the discoverer of Canada. The historic centre dates back to the 6th century and, although it was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, it has lost none of its charm.

After a visit to the cathedral, you can recharge your batteries at Le Bistro Autour du beurre, an authentic spot that specialises in butter and seasonal ingredients. In the afternoon, the coach will take you to another world-famous destination: Mont St-Michel.

This town stands on a rocky islet surrounded by a large bay. In the Middle Ages, monks settled here and built the abbey that has survived to this day.

If you want to see it surrounded by the sea, I recommend checking the official website for tide times. After leaving Mont Saint-Michel, you’ll arrive in the French capital in the evening.

• Duration: 2 days
• Price: around €500

This tour is very similar to the previous one. The only difference is that it includes an extra day, which will be spent visiting the Loire Valley castles.

Typically, the itineraries cover two castles – Château de Langeais and Château de Chambord – and the Château de Chenonceau. For more information, I recommend reading the post on day trips to the Loire Valley castles from Paris.

• Duration: 3 days
• Price: around €700

Normandy is a paradise for foodies. Many associate it with cheese, but this is not its only attraction: the fish and seafood are excellent, as are the lamb, duck, pork and beef.

Tastings usually take place in Honfleur, a beautiful town on the Atlantic coast.

• Camembert, the region’s most famous cheese. In its place of origin, it is appreciated even more
• Livarot, with its characteristic orange rind and spicy aroma. It is usually enjoyed at the end of a meal accompanied by full-bodied wines or a glass of cider.
• Coulommiers, the dairy product similar to Brie. It pairs very well with champagne or Alsatian wines
• Pont-L'Évêque, a soft cheese with a creamy centre. It is the oldest in the region and its origins presumably date back to the 12th century
• Cider, the famous alcoholic drink made from apples. It can be sweet and light or dry with a more pronounced flavour
• Calvados, a spirit made from fermented apples with a low alcohol content and a hint of acidity. It is usually enjoyed both as an aperitif and with meals

Crêpes are usually on the menu, being an icon of the local culinary tradition. If you enjoy good food, on your return to the capital you can treat yourself to a food tour in Paris.

• Duration: approximately 12 hours
• Price: around €300

Paris is a major city and there are thousands of things to see and do. My advice is to book your trips to Normandy in advance so you don’t have to go to a tourist centre or the office of an agency specialising in guided tours.

Online, everything is simpler: just select the trip you like best and complete the payment in a few clicks. You’ll receive your tickets by email and won’t even need to print them out.

The north-western region of France has a lot to offer. Its historical attractions and natural beauty make it one of the top 10 tours and excursions from Paris. I’ve put together a short list of five reasons to leave the ‘City of Light’ for a day or two:

• This is where Calvados, the famous apple brandy with a Protected Designation of Origin,is produced. There is a route known as “La Route du Cidre” that winds through the countryside and the prettiest villages. The Calvados Pierre Huet estate is usually a must-visit (Manoir la Brière des Fontaines, 5 Av. des Tilleuls, Cambremer)
• The famous Allied landings during the Second World War took place on Omaha Beach. Nearby you’ll find the American Cemetery, the fortified German bases and the D-Day Museum
• This includes the splendid Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, which, depending on the tides, can be an island or a hill. For more information, I recommend reading the article on day trips to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris
• There are countless charming villages. Among the prettiest are Bayeux, Les Andelys, Honfleur and Beuvron-en-Auge, though the list could go on
• Camembert is produced in Normandy, as are Livarot, Pont-l’Évêque and Neufchâtel cheeses. In local delicatessens, you’ll find the finest dairy products in France

To enjoy the beaches, you should visit the region in summer. At this time of year, temperatures rarely exceed 25°C, creating a cool and pleasant atmosphere.

If you visit Paris in June, a trip to Normandy is highly recommended. Furthermore, D-Day is commemorated every 6 June, whilst medieval festivals are held in July in Caen, Bayeux, Harcourt and other towns.

Of the transitional seasons, spring is preferable to autumn. Temperatures are not very different, but rain is less frequent and the spectacle of the blossoms is simply wonderful. If you enjoy live music, don’t miss Jazz sous les pommiers, a jazz festival held in May.

Yes, you can. The easiest way is to hire a car at the airport or from agencies in the city. Once behind the wheel, take the A13 motorway, which passes through the region’s main towns.

Travel time depends on your destination: it takes just an hour and a half to reach Rouen, whilst it takes at least three hours to reach Bayeux.

Alternatively, you can take a train from Saint-Lazare station (bound for Caen or Bayeux). The journey takes 2 hours or a little longer. For more information on timetables and tickets, I recommend checking the French railways website.

It is a very large region and if you want to explore it on your own, you will need to research prices, itineraries and accommodation if you are staying for one or more nights. An organised tour saves you all this hassle.

What’s more, you travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach and it usually includes breakfast and dinner (always on longer tours).

Another plus is that entrance fees are also included. You may have to pay for a few extras, but the main costs are covered.

If you’re staying in Paris for a week or more, you can go on other short trips. For more ideas, I recommend reading the post on the best day trips from Paris.

As you’ve read in the previous point, breakfast and dinner are usually included in the price. Therefore, you’ll only need to find somewhere for lunch. Here are some recommended options in Saint-Malo and Honfleur, two classic stops on two-day trips:

• Le Cambusier, a French restaurant with a modern twist. It also offers set lunch menus and dishes for vegetarians and vegans. It’s located at 6 Rue des Cordiers in Saint-Malo, just a stone’s throw from the old town
• Breizh Cafe, a crepe lover’s paradise. It has several branches in Saint-Malo, and I recommend checking the official website to view the menu and locations
• Chez D.D., a wine bar serving tasty snacks. It’s a two-minute walk from the harbour (28 Rue Cachin)
• La Cidrerie, a casual restaurant in Honfleur. I recommend trying their galettes, buckwheat crêpes typical of Normandy. It also has an extensive dessert menu (26 Place Hamelin)

Trips to Normandy are usually long and, in some cases, last two days or more. You’ll see countless monuments, historic town centres and natural landscapes, and I’m sure you’ll want to take some photos. To stop your mobile running out of battery, I recommend taking a power bank.

Bear in mind that rain is common throughout the year (with a peak during autumn and winter). Make sure you pack a rain jacket and an umbrella in your rucksack. If you have enough space, you should also pack a pair of wellies.

If you’re travelling to Paris in August and want to escape the city, you might want to pack a swimsuit. Don’t expect the same heat as the Mediterranean, but this is the best month to take a dip in the Atlantic. This ‘warm season’ lasts until early September.