Travel to Normandy, France – Episode 914

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Travel to Normandy, France - a seven-day Normandy itinerary includes visits to Giverny, Rouen, Étretat, Honfleur, Deauville, the Cider Route, the D-Day beaches, Bayeux, Mont-Saint-Michel, and the Norman countryside, offering a mix of history, culture, and gastronomy.

Hear about travel to Normandy, France as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kat Butler from World Wide Honeymoon and France Voyager about this historic and wonderful part of France.

Why should you go to Normandy?

Kay says, “Normandy, I think, just offers so much. My road trip, that I did last year, was literally to prove that there was so much more to Normandy than the D-Day beaches. You’ve got Mont Saint Michel, the cider route. You’ve got the countryside. I think that Normandy makes some of the best cheese. You have The beaches. You also have places like. Giverny. You’ve got Etretat, which has the beautiful cliffs. It’s well worth a visit.”

Kat recommends a seven-day itinerary for Normandy, France, that offers a rich mix of history, culture, nature, and gastronomy. Here’s a summary of her suggested itinerary:

Day 1: Paris to Giverny, Les Andelys, and Rouen

  • Giverny: Visit Claude Monet’s house and gardens, including the famous lily ponds. Explore the Giverny Museum of Impressionism.
  • Les Andelys: Stop at the picturesque town along the Seine and visit Chateau Gaillard, built by Richard the Lionheart.
  • Rouen: Arrive in the evening, explore the old town, see the Gros Horloge (the big clock), and the Rouen Cathedral. If visiting in the summer, catch the light show projected on the cathedral.

Day 2: Rouen to Étretat and Honfleur, Overnight in Deauville

  • Étretat: See the famous chalk cliffs and natural arches, including Porte d’Aval and the “Needle” rock formation. Hike the cliffs for stunning views.
  • Honfleur: Visit the old harbor, visit Saint Catherine’s Church (a wooden church built by shipbuilders), and enjoy the charm of this artistic town.
  • Deauville: End the day in the luxury beach resort town known for its sandy beaches, shopping, and horse racing.

Day 3: The Cider Route from Deauville

  • Explore the Cider Route (Route de Cidre) for Calvados (apple brandy) and cider tastings. Recommended stops include Calvados Pierre Huet and Chateau du Breuil.
  • Visit Les Jardins du Pays d’Auge in Cambremer to enjoy traditional Norman architecture and gardens.
  • Stop in Pont-l’Évêque for a cheese tasting featuring Normandy’s famous cheeses: Camembert, Pont-l’Évêque, Livarot, and Neufchâtel.

Day 4: Beach Day and Exploring Deauville

  • Enjoy a relaxing day in Deauville, spending time at its beautiful beach, walking along Les Planches (the boardwalk), and visiting the local market.
  • Cross to Trouville-sur-Mer for a seafood lunch at the famous fish market.

Day 5: D-Day Beaches and Bayeux

  • Take a guided tour of the D-Day Beaches, including stops at Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, and Sainte-Mère-Église.
  • Visit the Normandy American Cemetery.
  • End the day in Bayeux, exploring the town.

Day 6: Bayeux and Mont-Saint-Michel

  • Visit the Bayeux Tapestry, which tells the story of William the Conqueror’s conquest of England.
  • Head to Mont-Saint-Michel, the famous tidal island with an abbey at the top. Walk through the village and climb to the abbey.
  • End the trip with a stay in a countryside chateau, such as Chateau de Hieville.

Day 7: Saint-Pierre-en-Auge and Countryside

  • Visit the Maison du Camembert in the town of Camembert for a cheese museum tour and tasting.
  • Explore Saint-Pierre-en-Auge, a charming Norman countryside town with medieval architecture, markets, and watermills.

This itinerary offers a balance of Normandy’s natural beauty, historical landmarks, and delicious regional cuisine.

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Show Notes

World Wide Honeymoon
France Voyager
Normandy Itinerary – Normandy Itinerary – 3 Days in Normandy, France
Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny
Giverny Museum of Impressionisms
L’Orangerie Museum (Paris)
Richard the Lionheart and the Chateau Gaillard
Rouen
Rouen Cathedral
Gros Horloge
Étretat
Étretat: Arsène Lupin’s home
Saint Catherine’s Church, Honfleur
Honfleur
Deauville
Ultimate Normandy Cider Route Guide & 1-Day Itinerary
Calvados Pierre Huet
Chateau du Breuil
Les Jardins du Pays d’Auge in Cambremer
Cambremer
Fish market Trouville-sur-Mer
Villa Augeval Hôtel
Pointe du Hoc
Sainte-Mère-Église
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Manche
D-Day, Drop Zone C and remarkable bravery at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
D-Day: The Beaches
Normandy American Cemetery
Bayeux
Bayeux Tapestry
Mont-Saint-Michel
Saint-Pierre-en-Auge
Chateau de Hieville
Maison du Camembert
Hotel Reine Mathilde, Bayeux
Hotel Cardinal, Rouen
Caen
How to Visit the Normandy Cider Route in France – World Wide Honeymoon Travel Podcast
Perfect Normandy Road Trip in 7 Days

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Travel to Normandy, France - a seven-day Normandy itinerary includes visits to Giverny, Rouen, Étretat, Honfleur, Deauville, the Cider Route, the D-Day beaches, Bayeux, Mont-Saint-Michel, and the Norman countryside, offering a mix of history, culture, and gastronomy. #france #normandy #itinerary #travel #vacation #trip #holiday Travel to Normandy, France - a seven-day Normandy itinerary includes visits to Giverny, Rouen, Étretat, Honfleur, Deauville, the Cider Route, the D-Day beaches, Bayeux, Mont-Saint-Michel, and the Norman countryside, offering a mix of history, culture, and gastronomy. #france #normandy #itinerary #travel #vacation #trip #holiday

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Travel to Normandy, France - a seven-day Normandy itinerary includes visits to Giverny, Rouen, Étretat, Honfleur, Deauville, the Cider Route, the D-Day beaches, Bayeux, Mont-Saint-Michel, and the Norman countryside, offering a mix of history, culture, and gastronomy. #france #normandy #itinerary #travel #vacation #trip #holiday

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Chris Christensen

by Chris Christensen

Chris Christensen is the creator of the Amateur Traveler blog and podcast. He has been a travel creator since 2005 and has won awards including being named the "Best Independent Travel Journalist" by Travel+Leisure Magazine.

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