7-Day Normandy Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Normandy tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaNormandy travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Normandy

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris Arrival & Orientation

    Start your week in Paris near Luxembourg Gardens. The Hotel des Académies offers a great location within walking distance of major sites. Skip the taxi from Charles de Gaulle airport and take the RER B instead (1 hour, €10.30) to avoid traffic. Take an evening walk along the Seine when the crowds are smaller.

    
  • Day 2

    Paris to Bayeux via Giverny

    Leave Paris early for Giverny. The 1.5-hour drive gets you to Monet's Gardens at opening time (9:30 AM). Visit the water lily ponds first before the tour buses show up. The garden café usually only takes cash. Plan your 3-hour drive to Bayeux to arrive by late afternoon. You'll want to see the famous 70-meter Bayeux Tapestry before it closes at 6:30 PM.

    
  • Day 3

    D-Day Beaches

    Visit Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach today. You'll need sturdy shoes for climbing the German bunkers at Pointe du Hoc. Plan to reach the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer before it closes (5 PM summer, 4 PM winter). Bring food with you since options are limited at the historic sites.

    
  • Day 4

    Mont Saint-Michel

    It's about 1.5 hours from Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel. Use the mainland parking lot and free shuttle. Check the tide schedule since the causeway can flood. A morning visit helps you beat the crowds. One visitor shared: "Get there before 9 AM and climb straight to the Abbey - you'll have the narrow streets almost to yourself before the tour groups arrive."

    
  • Day 5

    Normandy Countryside & Calvados

    Explore the Pays d'Auge region today. The Spiriterie Française tour takes about 90 minutes. Look for small farms with "cidre fermier" signs instead of the touristy tasting room in Beuvron-en-Auge. The country roads are narrow, so consider booking a guided tour if you plan to taste calvados.

    
  • Day 6

    Coastal Towns & Return to Paris

    Start early in Deauville to enjoy the boardwalk (Les Planches) before crowds arrive. Save Honfleur's harbor for afternoon light to get the best photos. Leave by 4 PM for the 2.5-hour drive back to Paris to avoid rush hour around the Périphérique.

  • Day 7

    Paris Departure

    Book afternoon flights if possible. Morning traffic to Charles de Gaulle can be slow and you'll need 3 hours at the airport for international flights. Spend your last morning in the Marais district. It's close to transport and full of great cafes that open early.

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• 7 Days in Northern France, incl. Brittany and Normandy

  Normandy's D-Day beaches from Omaha to Juno reveal their stories over 7 days. Highlights include Bayeux's cathedral, Colleville-sur-Mer's American Cemetery, and Longues-sur-Mer's battery. Stay at historic hotels like Hotel de Brunville & Spa while visiting local cider producers.

  

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  • Day 1

    Rennes

    Begin in Rennes, the charming capital of Brittany. Arrive by early afternoon to walk through the medieval quarter with its beautiful half-timbered houses. Book your hotel near Place des Lices for easy access to the historic center and your departure point. For dinner try traditional Breton galettes (savory crêpes) paired with local cider.

    
  • Day 2

    Rennes to Dinan (35 miles/56 km)

    Take a morning transfer to St Germain and cycle along the Ille et Rance canal towpath. This flat scenic route is perfect for your first day of riding. Stop at Léhon's ancient abbey around midday. You'll pass 11 flower-decorated locks offering great photos but be careful of slippery spots near the water. Your day ends in medieval Dinan where you can sample fresh shellfish from local fishermen at the port.

    
  • Day 3

    Dinan to Saint-Malo (25 miles/40 km)

    Head north along the River Rance estuary. Start around 9 AM to avoid afternoon winds. Take the shuttle boat from Dinard to Saint-Malo (runs every 30 minutes). Spend your afternoon walking the 12th-century ramparts. Bring sturdy shoes for the uneven ancient stones and stay for the beautiful sunset views.

    
  • Day 4

    Emerald Coast to Mont-Saint-Michel

    Ride along Brittany's stunning Emerald Coast. Stop in Cancale between 11 AM and 2 PM for the freshest oysters from the morning catch. Continue on flat roads past Mont-Dol to Mont-Saint-Michel. Check tide schedules before visiting as high tide creates the famous floating effect but can limit access.

    
  • Day 5

    Bayeux and D-Day Beaches

    Take an early transfer to Bayeux (1.5 hours). Bike to Omaha Beach on quiet country roads. The route is well-marked but bring extra layers for coastal winds. Visit the American Cemetery by 3 PM for the daily flag ceremony. End your day at a local cidery that still uses traditional pressing methods.

    
  • Day 6

    Normandy Coast

    Visit the Bayeux Tapestry when it opens at 9 AM to avoid crowds. Cycle through Norman villages to Arromanches to see remaining pieces of the D-Day artificial harbor. Continue to Saint Aubin Sur Mer for beautiful coastal views but plan extra time if cycling against headwinds.

    
  • Day 7

    Saint Aubin Sur Mer

    Your tour ends after breakfast. Early risers can catch beautiful sunrise photos on the beach. Regular trains run to Paris (2.5 hours) if you're heading home.

    

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• 6 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris Arrival

    Plan for a morning arrival to make the most of your first day in Paris. The Gare du Nord area can be busy and confusing, so booking a transfer ahead is smart. Spend your afternoon exploring the 1st arrondissement. It's easy to walk around and you'll get a good sense of how the city is laid out.

    
  • Day 2

    Central Paris

    Take a morning city tour to get familiar with Paris. Visit Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur before 11 AM to avoid the crowds. Skip lunch at the touristy Place du Tertre and find a local cafe on Rue des Abbesses instead. Visit the Louvre in the afternoon and use the Carrousel du Louvre entrance underground to avoid long lines at the pyramid.

    
  • Day 3

    Versailles Day Trip

    Take the RER C train to Versailles (45 minutes from Paris). Get there before 9 AM to avoid tour groups and hot weather in the gardens. The palace gets packed by late morning. Back in Paris, try a 5 PM Seine cruise for great monument photos. Finish your evening in the Latin Quarter when it's most charming.

    
  • Day 4

    Normandy Region

    Drive to Giverny (1.5 hours from Paris) and see Monet's house early for the best garden views. Visit Rouen's Cathedral in the morning light. The D-Day beaches at Arromanches are most impressive at low tide when you can spot the harbor remains. Stay in Caen, where most hotels are modern and near the ring road.

    
  • Day 5

    Mont-Saint-Michel & Return to Paris

    Drive from Caen to Mont-Saint-Michel (90 minutes) early in the day. Check tide schedules before you go as high tide changes how the island looks. The abbey climb has 350 steps without elevators but plenty of rest spots. As one traveler said: "The steps up to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey are steep and uneven - bring proper walking shoes and take your time on the ascent."

    
  • Day 6

    Paris Departure

    If you have an afternoon flight you can enjoy one last morning in Paris. Give yourself at least 3 hours at Charles de Gaulle Airport as it's large and check-in takes time.

    

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