Northern Normandy is not really well known by foreign travelers who come for a tour of France. When travelers mention Normandy, they usually have in mind the WWII D Day landing sites in Calvados or Mont Saint Michel. But there is so much more to see in this region!

We warmly invite you to browse our Normandy tour packages

Upper and Lower Normandy

The map below shows the border between Upper and Lower Normandy, which is near Honfleur. The WWII beaches are mostly in Lower Normandy, as well as the lovely port town of Honfleur and the famous islet of Mont Saint Michel. You may also like to see some other more detailed maps of Normandy.

The capital of Upper Normandy is Rouen, famous for Joan of Arc and the many paintings of the Cathedral by Claude Monet. You might also know about the Etretat Cliffs: rumor has it the famous gentleman burglar - Arsène Lupin - hid real treasure in a secret place inside the cliffs.

 

Etretat Cliffs - Romantic getaways in Normandy

Etretat Cliffs in Normandy (Photo: Needpix.com)

The beautiful white chalky cliffs receive a lot of visitors. They can be seen along the coast for about 90 miles, starting from the Seine estuary at Le Havre to the Somme estuary at Le Crotoy. It is called La Côte d'Albâtre - The Alabaster Coast. You can enjoy a romantic stroll along the beach at sunset after enjoying a seafood platter from a local restaurant... and you'll probably be alone on the beach.

Normandy at Sunset - Romantic Getaways in Normandy France

(Photo: Needpix)

 

When we visited, we had a great afternoon sailing from the lovely port of Dieppe. Most of the city was destroyed during the second world war, but the port and some surrounding streets provide a nice setting for a drink on a terrace so you can enjoy the ocean breeze. 

Dieppe Romantic getaways in Normandy, France Just For You

Dieppe harbor (Photo: Pixabay)

Last but not least, there's no comparison when it comes to comparing the August crowds on the beaches of the French Riviera and the quieter setting of the beaches in Normandy. Admittedly, the water temperature is a bit colder, but if you don't mind the cold, the Normandy coast is a great place to relax and enjoy France off the beaten path!

Normandy beach - Romantic Getaways in Normandy

(Photo: Pixabay)

 

 

Normandy from Paris

Normandy is very easy to reach from Paris and we recommend driving over the train (which is longer as there is no high speed). In less than 3hr drive you will reach Normandy from Paris and you have so many stop options along the way that it would be a pity doing otherwise !

Don't hesitate to contact us to plan your self-drive trip in France !

FAQs

For a well-rounded trip, three to five days is ideal for exploring Normandy’s key sights at a relaxed pace.

3 days – Visit the D-Day landing beaches, the charming town of Bayeux, and the iconic Mont Saint-Michel (see our recommended 3-day Normandy road trip itinerary). 

4–5 days – Add time for Honfleur’s picturesque harbor, the dramatic cliffs of Étretat, and Monet's Garden in Giverny.

A full week – Explore Normandy in depth, including the Pays d’Auge countryside, local markets, and regional specialties like Camembert and Calvados cider.

If you’re short on time, three full days will allow you to see the highlights without feeling rushed.

France Just For You

Experts in self-drive tours in France

Travelers Reviews

5.0
Judy
I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little …
Naomi
You may already know from other reviews that "France Just for You" will create an itinerary based on your interests and time frame, booking attractions and lodgings, arranging a car, and providing a detailed guide book with historical and cultural information, and suggestions for things to see and do with your unscheduled time. The whole service is …
Marjorie
My husband and I found France Just For You on the internet, while trying to plan a trip to France. We knew, given our desire to see both Normandy and the south of France, that we would spend hours deliberating about the details. We provided Emily with a budget, the duration of our vacation and a few must-sees and she provided us with a three-week …
Judy
This was one of the best trips we have taken to Europe. We have often done our own planning. It was so nice to have Laura help. We were very delighted with accommodations and friendliness of all our hosts and tour guides. As Americans that don't speak much French, we would never have been able to arrange a trip like this ourselves - and we've done …
Sue
This was our first trip to Europe with just the two of us doing all the planning. I was looking for someone to help with the details of lodging and transportation and found Emilie through this site. She planned an incredible trip for us to Normandy/Brittany, Loire Valley and Paris. She is easy to work with, responsive and organized. I told her what …
Gabriele
This trip was such an awesome cultural adventure and we can not say enough about Emilie and France Just for You. This service was outstanding, well planned according to our interests and the B&B's were all wonderful. Each B&B was different but all fantastic in their own way. The suggestions Emilie made all worked amazingly well and so did the …