History, cider, crepes & art, what more could you want?
Who could resist a road trip around Normandy, well we certainly couldn’t.
Normandy was a region of France that we hadn’t really toured around much previously; we’d often headed south to visit the sun-kissed regions of Provence & Cote d’Azur or east to Champagne and Alsace.
This time we wanted to discover more about our close neighbours and the history that links us.
Normandy was a region of France that we hadn’t really toured around much previously; we’d often headed south to visit the sun-kissed regions of Provence & Cote d’Azur or east to Champagne and Alsace.
![The pin image for our post - 'Roadtrippin' memories of Normandy, France'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Roadtrippin-memories-of-Normandy-France-Pin6.jpg)
Our Memories
D-Day Landing Beaches
![The shoreline and bay of Arromanches from on high. You can view, both on the beach, and out to sea, the remains of the 'temporary' mulberry harbour constructed for the D-Day landings.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-bay-at-Arromanches-Normandy-France-V5.jpg)
The Mulberry harbour at Arromanches-Les-Bains is particularly incredible.
There's more in our post - The D-Day Landing Beaches, Normandy, France
Le Mont-Saint-Michel
![A shot of the wide, paved, causeway to the island of Mont-Saint-Michel , Normandy](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-causeway-to-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
When the rocky outcrop first comes into your view it is astonishing, it hard to believe how the abbey was ever built.
Take a Medieval stroll along the lanes and the ramparts for free.
Why not check out - Le Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Rouen
![Rouens famous Gros-Horloge. An ornate, gold-trimmed, clock mounted above an arch in one of the old town's thoroughfares next to a stone belfry.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gros-Horloge-Rouen-Normandy-France-V5-2-1.jpg)
This city is also where Maid of Orléans (Joan of Arc), came to her untimely death. We found some lovely local restaurants here.
Our post 'Amongst the historical lanes of Rouen, France' has more details on our stay.
Beuvron-en-Auge
![The high street in Beuvron-en-Auge with half-timbered homes, shuttered windows and tables & chairs outside a café](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/The-high-street-Beuvron-en-Auge-Normandy-Places-to-visit-in-France-visit-france-V5.jpg)
Having a wander amongst the half-timbered buildings and lanes was like stepping back in time.
There's more in our post - Beuvron-en-Auge, Normandy, France
We love visiting France and each region so different from one another. I find the DK Eyewitness Guides really helpful in planning a trip and so often find interesting little snippets of info.
Take a peek at this revised Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide and see what you can discover.
Caen
![An illuminated Caen town hall alongside L'Abbaye-aux-Hommes under a pale blue and purple sky at dusk.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Caen-Town-Hall-Caen-Normandy-France-V5.jpg)
What more could you want, oh yes and some rather lovely bistros?
There's more on all things Caen, check out 'The Core of Calvados, Caen, France'
Jumièges Abbey
![Image](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-huge-scale-of-Jumieges-Abbey-Normandy-France-R3.jpg)
It was fantastic with its imposing towers and birds soaring through the broken windows; it made it quite atmospheric just wandering around on your own.
There's more in our post - 'The ruins of Jumièges Abbey, Normandy, France'
Planning your Normandy road trip
You have various options when visiting Normandy if you’re travelling from the UK. Firstly, you can jump in your car and hop on Le Shuttle and head south, this is our preferred option.
Alternatively, if you are flying in, head into Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly Airports, it's an easy two hour drive to Rouen. This is also a great option for travellers visiting from further afield. Why not give Rental Cars a go, as they search multiple well-known car hire brands for the best deals.
Route de Cidre
![The main route through Beuvron-en-Auge, on Normandy's Route de Cidre, with half-timbered houses lining one side.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Along-the-high-street-Beuvron-en-Auge-Normandy-France-V5.jpg)
Giverny
![The view across the lily pond to a green footbridge in the distance in Claude Monet's gardens in Giverny, Normandy](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/A-bridge-in-the-distance-Giverny-Normandy-France-R3.jpg)
Not only can you wander around his family home and walled garden it is also where he painted his iconic lily pond masterpieces.
Why not check out our post - 'Monet’s Giverny, France'
Cider & crepes
You’d struggle to better the experience of sitting at Honfleur’s harbour front enjoying the crêpe of your choice, washed down with a glass of sparkling cold cider.
Would you like to read more about - 'The call of Honfleur, France'?
Oeuf Cocotte
Étretat
![A beach view of Étretat's shoreline, including its white cliffs and legendary arch formation.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Cliffs-at-Etretat-places-to-visit-in-france-visit-normandy-V5.jpg)
Alençon
![A tiny little chapel built next to the home of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux in the centre of Alençon, Normandy](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Maison-Natale-de-Sainte-Thérèse-Alençon-Normandy-France-R3.jpg)
Along with its impressive cathedral, Le Chateau des Ducs which was used by the Gestapo and a Hogwarts styled library, hidden behind the walls of a 17th-century Baroque church. To top it off it had some very reasonably priced bistros.
There's more in our post - 'The making of a Saint, Alençon, France'
Where to stay in Normandy
The hotel’s location is about a 10 to 15-minute walk to the heart of the old town, an ideal place for discovering Rouen as its surrounding towns & villages.
If you are driving, this hotel has a chargeable underground car park with direct access to the hotel. We had no problem parking here for the 3 nights, and ideal if you have a larger vehicle.
The location of the hotel is only about a 5-minute walk to the old town and is relatively central overall and comfortable.
There is on-street chargeable parking in front of the hotel. The charge is fairly reasonable & you only pay from 9am to 12 & 2pm until 5pm.
The Hotel Restaurant Le Dauphin et Le Spa du Prieuré in Caen is reasonably central and just a short stroll across to the charming Place Saint-Sauveur.
If you are driving, this hotel has free onsite parking, although the spaces are limited.
We chose Hotel La Diligence for its close proximity to the town and harbour, and onsite parking.
The parking at the hotel is on a first-come, first-served basis, which you may have to be lucky with your timing; however, the spaces are a reasonable size.
For your road trip, you may want to pick different destinations. There are a few alternatives listed throughout this post and the others listed.
Why not check out what Booking.com has to off in your ideal locations?
Rouen Cathedral Light Show
This is certainly a memory that will remain with us. It may appear a simple concept.
However, the free light display of Rouen’s ancient history projected across the front of the cathedral was impressive. The show lasted around 15 minutes and charted through sight and sound the lives of William the Conqueror and Joan of Arc.
Discovering little villages
![A street scene from the little Normandy village of Lyons-la-Forêt. People are sitting at tables and chairs outside the cafes in this quaint slide of French life.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Lyons-la-Foret-places-to-visit-in-france-visit-normandy-V5.jpg)
History
![A stone monument in front of the now relocated Pegasus Bridge in Normandy.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pegasus-Bridge-Normandy-France-V5.jpg)
Stay Longer
And again...
![A field of headstones in the Normandy American Cemetery. The cross of Frank D Peregory is decorated with a gold star and Medal of Honor inscription.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Frank-D-Peregory-Normandy-American-Cemetery-and-Memorial-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Honfleur
![The old merchant houses that line the sides of Honfleur's harbour that are now home to bars, cafes & restaurants.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-narrow-buildings-Honfleur-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Rouen’s Cathedral Light Show
Have You?
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