Begin your Norman adventure in Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy and one of France’s most beautiful medieval cities. Known as “the city of a hundred spires,” Rouen is where Joan of Arc met her tragic end, where the Impressionist movement found inspiration, and where centuries of history are preserved in magnificent Gothic architecture.

Morning: The Historic Center

Start your day at the breathtaking Rouen Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen), a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that Claude Monet painted more than thirty times in different lights. The cathedral’s façade is an intricate tapestry of stone, with elaborate carvings, soaring spires, and stunning rose windows. The interior is equally impressive, with towering vaulted ceilings, beautiful stained glass windows (some dating back to the 13th century), and the tomb of Richard the Lionheart’s heart.

From the cathedral, wander through the cobblestone streets of the old town, where half-timbered houses lean at precarious angles, their colorful facades creating a picturesque medieval streetscape. The Rue du Gros-Horloge leads you to the Great Clock (Gros-Horloge), a magnificent 14th-century astronomical clock set in a Renaissance arch spanning the street. You can climb the clock tower for panoramic views of the city’s sea of terracotta rooftops and Gothic spires.

Afternoon: Joan of Arc Sites and Museums

After lunch at one of the charming cafés in Place du Vieux-Marché, visit the modern Church of Joan of Arc, built on the very spot where the young French heroine was burned at the stake in 1431. The church’s contemporary design, resembling an upturned Viking ship, houses beautiful 16th-century stained glass windows salvaged from destroyed churches.

Continue to the Joan of Arc Museum (Historial Jeanne d’Arc), an innovative museum that uses multimedia presentations to tell the story of France’s patron saint. Then explore the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts), which houses an impressive collection including works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, and several Impressionist masterpieces.

Evening: Culinary Delights

Rouen is famous for its Norman cuisine. Enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant, sampling regional specialties like canard à la rouennaise (pressed duck), andouille sausages, or creamy Norman fish dishes, accompanied by local cider or Calvados.

Today you’ll explore one of Normandy’s most enchanting coastal areas, beginning with the picturesque port town of Honfleur, which has captivated artists for centuries.

Morning: Honfleur’s Old Harbor

Honfleur is a jewel of Norman architecture and maritime heritage. The Vieux Bassin (Old Harbor) is the heart of the town, surrounded by remarkably tall, narrow houses with slate-covered façades that seem to lean toward the water. These buildings, some dating back to the 17th century, were designed to maximize limited waterfront space while providing ample storage for merchants.

The harbor has inspired countless artists, including Monet, Boudin, and Courbet, and you’ll understand why as you watch the boats bob gently in the water, their masts creating a forest of lines against the sky. Walk around the harbor, explore the narrow streets lined with art galleries, antique shops, and boutiques, and visit the Lieutenance, a 16th-century building that once served as the residence of the King’s Lieutenant.

Late Morning: Sainte-Catherine Church

Visit the extraordinary Sainte-Catherine Church, the largest wooden church in France. Built by local shipwrights after the Hundred Years’ War, it has a unique twin-nave design with a ceiling that resembles an upturned ship’s hull. The separate bell tower stands across the street, reportedly built apart from the church to avoid lightning strikes.

Afternoon: The Côte Fleurie

Drive along the beautiful Côte Fleurie (Flowery Coast), stopping at elegant seaside resorts. Visit Deauville, known for its grand hotels, casino, and famous boardwalk with beach cabanas named after American film stars. The town exudes Belle Époque glamour with its magnificent villas and manicured gardens.

Continue to Trouville-sur-Mer, Deauville’s more relaxed neighbor, with a lovely beach, fish market, and authentic Norman atmosphere. If time permits, visit Cabourg, a charming resort town that inspired Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time.”

This day is dedicated to one of history’s most significant military operations. The D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. The beaches and museums of Normandy preserve this crucial chapter of World War II history.

Morning: American Sector

Begin at the Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen), an excellent introduction to D-Day and World War II history. This full museum provides context for the war, the occupation of France, and the planning of Operation Overlord.

Continue to Omaha Beach, the most heavily defended and costly of the landing beaches. Stand on the sand where American forces faced fierce resistance, and reflect on the courage required to cross this beach under fire. The beach remains largely unchanged, with its wide expanse of sand and the imposing bluffs that provided German defenders with commanding positions.

Visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach. This beautifully maintained cemetery is the final resting place of 9,388 American servicemen, their white crosses and Stars of David standing in perfect rows against the green lawn. The visitor center tells individual stories of those who fell, making the immense sacrifice deeply personal.

Afternoon: Pointe du Hoc and Utah Beach

Travel to Pointe du Hoc, where US Army Rangers scaled 100-foot cliffs under heavy fire to capture German gun positions. The site remains pockmarked with massive bomb craters, and you can explore German bunkers and gun emplacements. Standing here, you can appreciate the incredible bravery and skill required to achieve this objective.

Visit Utah Beach Museum, located in a former German bunker, which presents the American landing operations through personal accounts, equipment, and artifacts. The museum includes an original B-26 bomber, vehicles, and uniforms that help bring the events of D-Day to life.

Evening: Sainte-Mère-Église

End your day in Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated by American paratroopers. The famous story of paratrooper John Steele, whose parachute caught on the church steeple, is commemorated with a parachute dummy hanging from the tower. Visit the Airborne Museum, which honors the American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.

Bayeux, miraculously spared from destruction during World War II, is a beautifully preserved medieval town famous for its magnificent tapestry and stunning cathedral.

Morning: The Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the world’s most remarkable historical documents. This 70-meter-long embroidered cloth tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, depicting in vivid detail the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings. Created in the 11th century, it’s remarkably well-preserved and surprisingly engaging, with its narrative structure resembling a medieval comic strip. The accompanying audio guide explains each scene, bringing this 950-year-old masterpiece to life.

Late Morning: Bayeux Cathedral

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Bayeux is a stunning example of Norman Gothic architecture, with Romanesque crypts and towers. The cathedral was consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror and features beautiful 13th-century frescoes, intricate stone carvings, and magnificent stained glass windows. The crypt, one of the largest in France, contains fascinating medieval frescoes depicting angels and biblical scenes.

Afternoon: The Old Town and British War Cemetery

Wander through Bayeux’s charming old town, with its half-timbered houses, water mills along the Aure River, and picturesque stone bridges. The Rue Saint-Jean and surrounding streets are perfect for strolling, with boutiques, antique shops, and cafés.

Visit the Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest British war cemetery in France, where 4,648 Commonwealth servicemen are buried. The cemetery is beautifully maintained, with the headstones arranged in gentle curves across a peaceful lawn.

Evening: Norman Gastronomy

Bayeux offers excellent restaurants serving traditional Norman cuisine. Try a tasting menu featuring local specialties like scallops from the Bay of Seine, Isigny butter, Pont-l’Évêque cheese, and apple tart with Calvados.

Mont-Saint-Michel is one of France’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This medieval abbey, perched on a rocky island and surrounded by vast tidal flats, seems to rise miraculously from the sea.

Morning: Arrival and the Village

Arrive early to beat the crowds and experience Mont-Saint-Michel at its most magical. The approach to the mount reveals its remarkable setting, surrounded by the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, which experiences some of Europe’s highest tides. During spring tides, the difference between high and low tide can reach 15 meters, occasionally transforming the mount into a true island.

Enter through the fortified gates and climb the Grande Rue, the steep medieval street lined with half-timbered houses, shops, restaurants, and museums. Despite the tourist crowds, the architecture transports you back to the Middle Ages. Take time to explore the small museums, including the Maritime Museum and the Historical Museum.

Late Morning to Afternoon: The Abbey

The Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is an architectural marvel, nicknamed “La Merveille” (The Marvel). Founded in the 8th century after the Archangel Michael appeared to the Bishop of Avranches, the abbey was built over several centuries, resulting in a fascinating mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

Tour the abbey’s various levels, from the crypts and chapel at the base to the magnificent Gothic cloister and refectory at the summit. The abbey church, dedicated to Saint Michael, sits at the highest point, 170 meters above sea level. The cloister, with its delicate columns arranged around a peaceful garden, offers stunning views of the bay. The refectory, where monks took their meals in silence, features an ingenious design with invisible light sources.

Afternoon: The Bay

If tides permit, take a guided walk across the bay’s sand flats. These walks reveal the bay’s unique ecosystem, teach you about the dangerous quicksand and fast-moving tides, and provide spectacular views of Mont-Saint-Michel from the sea. The bay is home to approximately 200 bird species and unique flora adapted to the salty conditions.

Alternatively, walk around the mount on the exterior ramparts for different perspectives and stunning photography opportunities. Watch for the tide coming in – during spring tides, it moves as fast as a galloping horse.

Today explores Normandy’s surprising inland beauty, from the rocky gorges of the Suisse Normande to the historic fortress of William the Conqueror.

Morning: Suisse Normande

Despite its name (Norman Switzerland), the Suisse Normande doesn’t have mountains, but its dramatic river valleys, rocky cliffs, and hilly bocage landscape offer a striking contrast to Normandy’s coastal plains. The Orne River has carved deep gorges through ancient rock, creating spectacular scenery.

Visit the Roche d’Oëtre, a dramatic cliff offering panoramic views over the gorges of the Rouvre. The viewpoint, perched 118 meters above the river, provides breathtaking vistas of the forested valleys below. Several hiking trails of varying difficulty allow you to explore this beautiful area.

The charming village of Clécy serves as the capital of the Suisse Normande. Surrounded by cliffs and forests, it’s a hub for outdoor activities including rock climbing, kayaking, and paragliding. Walk along the river, explore the village, and perhaps enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant.

Afternoon: Falaise Castle

The Castle of William the Conqueror at Falaise is where the Duke of Normandy who conquered England in 1066 was born around 1028. This impressive medieval fortress consists of three keeps from different periods, providing a fascinating lesson in the evolution of military architecture.

The castle has been extensively restored, and innovative use of tablets and multimedia presentations helps visitors understand life in a medieval castle. You can explore the great halls, climb the towers for views over the surrounding countryside, and walk the ramparts. The castle also tells the story of William’s life, from his illegitimate birth (which earned him the nickname “William the Bastard”) to his conquest of England.

The town of Falaise itself, though heavily damaged in World War II during the Battle of the Falaise Pocket, retains some medieval character and offers good restaurants and cafés.

End your Norman journey in the beautiful Seine Valley, visiting the enchanting gardens that inspired Claude Monet and exploring charming riverside towns.

Morning: Giverny and Monet’s Gardens

Though technically in the neighboring Île-de-France region, Giverny is intrinsically linked to Norman Impressionism and makes a perfect conclusion to your Normandy tour. Claude Monet lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926, and the gardens he created became the subject of some of his most famous paintings.

The gardens are divided into two distinct areas. The Clos Normand, in front of the house, is a formal flower garden bursting with color from spring through fall. Monet planted it as a living canvas, carefully selecting colors and varieties to create harmonious compositions. The variety and abundance of flowers – from tulips and irises in spring to dahlias and sunflowers in late summer – is breathtaking.

The Water Garden, created by Monet by diverting the Ru stream, features the famous Japanese bridge draped with wisteria, weeping willows, bamboo, and the iconic water lilies that became the focus of Monet’s work in his later years. Walking through these gardens, you’ll recognize scenes from Monet’s paintings brought to life.

Visit Monet’s house, preserved much as he left it, with his collection of Japanese prints, his bright blue and yellow dining room, and his studio. The Musée des Impressionnismes, also in Giverny, presents changing exhibitions related to Impressionism and the artistic community that flourished here.

Afternoon: Les Andelys and Château Gaillard

Follow the Seine to Les Andelys, a picturesque town dominated by the ruins of Château Gaillard. This impressive fortress was built in just one year (1196-1197) by Richard the Lionheart to defend his Norman territories from the French king. Though now in ruins, the castle’s strategic position high on a chalk cliff overlooking a loop in the Seine demonstrates medieval military engineering at its finest.

Climb to the castle for spectacular views of the Seine Valley, the white cliffs, and the town below. The twin villages of Grand Andely and Petit Andely, connected by a scenic avenue of trees, offer charming streets to explore, a beautiful Gothic church (Saint-Saviour), and pleasant riverside walks.

Evening: Farewell to Normandy

End your week with a leisurely dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Seine, reflecting on your tour of this remarkable region. From the medieval streets of Rouen to the solemn beaches where history was made, from the fairy-tale mount of Saint-Michel to the gardens that inspired Impressionism, Normandy has revealed its treasures.