Normandy Tours: from World War to Camembert

Not too far from Paris, this verdant, hilly region is teeming with history, from the Vikings' invasion and William the Conqueror through to the World War II Normandy landing beaches. The D Day beaches, Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword are a vibrant memoir of the 20th-century history and worth seeing while visiting Normandy. Other important historical sites of the Battle of Normandy such as Sainte Mère Eglise, Pointe du Hoc, Caen Memorial or Military Cemeteries are places to honor and remember the sacrifice of the Allied troops.

Normandy has everything you need for the perfect getaway. 

 

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Our Self-Guided Tours in Normandy

From history to countryside, from the painters to the apple brandy makers...Normandy has a lot to offer.

Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4450
Region
in Normandy & Loire Valley

Normandy & the Loire Valley are 2 regions of France you should not miss: the climate is mild, the people are very welcoming and history is around every corner.

Wine Tasting
WWI & WWII Battlefields
Countryside
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 4680
Region
in Champagne, Burgundy, Loire Valley & Normandy

Exploring by the back roads is the best way to experience France and immerse yourself in the culture. Get a real feel for the authentic France, and enjoy at your own pace.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 3740
Region
in Paris, Normandy & Loire Valley

Get a taste of the real France in very typical regions, famous for their cultural heritage as well as their sweet way of life.

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4620
Region
in Normandy, Loire Valley & Paris

Follow the waterways in France from the Norman beaches on the Atlantic coasts to the Loire river, its castles and wonderful gardens . . . ending along the Seine river banks in Paris.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 3480
Region
in Loire Valley & Normandy

From the Loire Valley castles, the famous village of Mont Saint Michel surrounded by water, the landings beaches and the Norman countryside . . . to end the trip at Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny: you’ll have to keep your eyes wide open!

Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 5480
Region
in Paris, Loire Valley & Normandy

This itinerary gives you the perfect tour of Northern France, including Paris, the Loire Valley castles and gastronomy, and ending in Normandy with the landing sites, the hinterland and beautiful Giverny.

Heritage & History
Gourmet Food
Countryside
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 5720
Region
in Burgundy, Loire Valley, Normandy & Paris

This is the best itinerary to thoroughly discover the Northern part of France: Burgundy vineyards, Loire Valley castles, Normandy WWII history . . . and ending in the most famous and beautiful capital in the world - Paris.

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
1 day
Price
US$ 730
Region
in Normandy

Spend a memorable day exploring the mythical Mont Saint Michel! How to get there This tour starts in Avranches, near Mont Saint Michel. You may take a train or a bus from Paris. If you stay in the area, we may also meet you directly in Mt St Michel parking lots. Mont Saint Michel is one of the most visited sites in France and many travelers are caught in the crowds. We will plan your day for you to enjoy this unique site at its best. ppen in the morning or in the afternoon.

Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
1 day
Price
US$ 600
Region
in Normandy

Get immersed into the Battle of Normandy and Bayeux history. How To Get There This Day Tour starts in Bayeux. From Paris, you can take a direct train. Bayeux Old City Bayeux may not be well known compared to Omaha Beach but the city has a lot to interest travelers. We plan for you to walk around Bayeux old city in the morning. We will provide a detailed map and information: restaurants, special shops, streets you don’t want to miss. You will also see the famous Bayeux Tapestry which is a beautiful testimony of the Middle Ages and William the Conqueror history. The WWII Landing Sites In the …

WWI & WWII Battlefields
Heritage & History
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7750
Region
in Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Provence & French Riviera

Spend about a month traveling from Paris to Nice on the French Riviera and get a real feel for the authentic France!

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 6980
Region
in Burgundy, Dordogne, Bordeaux, Loire Valley & Normandy

This itinerary is for independent travelers who may already know the southern coast of France and who are looking for discovering the “inside” of the country. Five regions that are totally different from each other, showing you the diversity of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Gourmet Food
Duration
4 days
Price
US$ 2220
Region
in Normandy & Paris

If you are interested in WWII history and/or have a family member who fought in the Battle of Normandy, this tour is just for you. We can plan a general itinerary based on what we think you would be most interested in, or you can tell us. For example, North Americans may like to visit the American and Canadian beaches of Omaha, Utah and Juno, and the American and Canadian war cemeteries. If you have a family connection, we will plan an itinerary that follows the route your family member took with their battalion during the Battle of Normandy. WWII Family History Tour What is truly unique about …

WWI & WWII Battlefields
Heritage & History
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7120
Region
in Paris, Loire Valley & Normandy

This itinerary will take you to three of the culturally richest regions of France, at a relaxed pace and away from the beaten tracks. We recommend flying into and out of Paris for this itinerary.

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 6700
Region
in Champagne, Verdun, Somme, Normandy & Paris

Many of us are related in some way to the World Wars' history : a father, uncle, grandfather, family friend, or a famous soldier we admire, who fought amongst the Allied troops on French soil. We are very happy and proud to plan itineraries for you to learn more about the history of the two World Wars of the 20th century. The below tour is a sample and we will craft your own trip based on any information you may have available or are willing to discover.

WWI & WWII Battlefields
Towns & Villages
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 6580
Region
in Alsace, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Normandy & Paris

From East to West, discover the Northern half of France at your own pace. Visit Alsace, Burgundy, the Loire Valley, and Normandy, ending your wonderful adventure in Paris.

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 4980
Region
in Normandy, Brittany & Loire Valley

From the landing sites in Normandy to Mont Saint Michel on to Brittany ending in the Loire Valley, this itinerary will have you discover all the history, traditions and gastronomy of the North-West of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7650
Region
in Normandy, Paris & Brittany

This itinerary will uncover the treasures of the North-West of France, at a very relaxed pace...so you really have the time to meet with locals.

Heritage & History
Countryside
Normandy

How to get to Normandy

Normandy is very easy to reach from downtown Paris or Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Drive out of Paris or CDG Airport and you will reach Monet's house in Giverny in 1 hour, then Rouen in about 1h30. If you plan on staying in Caen or Bayeux (3hr drive from Paris), you can stop over for lunch in the beautiful Honfleur or Deauville areas. Normandy tours are very easy to organize from Paris.

There are also direct trains from Paris to Normandy - however, hiring automatic rental car in Caen or Bayeux can be difficult.

  • Normandy from the Loire Valley

If you come from the Loire Valley - or Castle Country as it's known - Mont Saint Michel or the D-Day Landing Beaches are about 3 hour 30 drive. Most travelers drive to Normandy from Paris then to the Loire Valley. However, there is also a lot to be said for doing the journey in reverse: starting in the Loire Valley, then heading to Normandy. Also, if you want to avoid spending the last night of your trip to France in CDG Airport, you can consider staying in Giverny which is only 1 hour drive from CDG, and just heading to the airport the day you fly. 

 

Map of Normandy

The touristic region of Normandy spreads along the French coast of the English Channel from Rouen (1hr30 drive from Paris) at the Eastern end, all the way to Mont Saint Michel at the Western end. As one of the most visited regions in France, our Normandy driving tour has a lot to offer to independent travelers. A self-guided driving tour of Normandy in France is the best way to get a real feel for this region.

Click on the map to enlarge and read more about Normandy geography and sightseeing. You can also take a look at our other maps of Normandy.

 

Normandy tours map

 

What to do in Normandy

  • Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny

One of Normandy's main selling points is its culture, a prime example being Giverny and its marvelous gardens and water lilies, home of Claude Monet and a number of other Impressionist painters. We will be happy to include a skip-the-line visit to Monet's house and gardens in your Normandy driving tour.

Despite its international fame, especially in the US, it might surpise you to know that most French people aren't familiar with this place. To us - the Frenchies - Monet is associated with the Musée D'Orsay in Paris, as it's where you will find most of his paintings. Monet's gardens at Giverny are beautiful, especially from May through July, but they can get very crowded.  

Waterlilies in the Japanese garden Giverny Normandy Tours

Waterlilies in the Japanese garden in Giverny

 

  • World War II Sites: Battle of Normandy Tours

D-Day Beaches Self Drive Tour

Many of our travelers come to Normandy to learn the history of their father, uncle or grand-father who were involved in the D Day landings in 1944. This is always an emotional experience, regardless of whether you have relative who fought or not, and so we do our best to make sure our travelers get as much detailed information as possible about what happened to those brave soldiers. For those who have names, dates or places they want to learn about – we will be happy to craft the itinerary accordingly.

We have selected a very few English-speaking guides who specialize in Normandy D Day tours. They will be happy to take you on a Battle of Normandy tour and bring the history of this area alive and answer all of your questions. To us, this is a must – at least if this is your first visit to Normandy. 

Normandy Beach Tours

For American travelers, Omaha or Utah Beach as well as Sainte Mere Eglise and Pointe du Hoc are a must see. The American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer – right above Omaha Beach - is also incredibly impressive and illustrates the enormity of the sacrifice the Allies made to free the French people. The German, British and Canadian cemeteries are equally awe-inspiring.

Canadian travelers will get the chance to learn about the Canadian landing at Juno Beach Center, which is very interesting. British people can visit Sword Beach, North of Caen to discover the history of their ancestors. It is also worth checking out the impressive remains of the Arromanches artificial bridge which was built in a night.

Whether you like better a self-guided tour of Normandy beaches or you rather take a battlefields guided tour, we can craft your days in Normandy to make the most of your time. 

normandy invasion on d day Normandy Tours

©Calvados Toursime - Arromanches Artificial Port

 

  • Mont Saint Michel Village & Abbey

A day visiting Unesco World Heritage site and popular tourist attraction Mont Saint Michel is a must, too. This 8th-century abbey sitting atop a tidal island off the Normandy coast is a sight to behold and is definitely worth your time. In your Normandy itinerary, we will tell you the best way to visit Mont St Michel so that you avoid the tourist crowds and learn all the secrets of this mystical place.

Many people visiting Normandy plan a trip to Mont Saint Michel, a small village built on a rock off the Norman coast. It is the most visited site in France and is likely to continue to be thanks to its beauty, history, architecture and the rhythm of the tide as it laps against its shore. The fascination we feel standing in front of this mystical site never ceases. Mont Saint Michel and its bay became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Click here to read more about Mont Saint Michel

mont saint michel village - Normandy Tours

©Ben Bard - Mont Saint Michel Village & Abbey

 

The Normandy Hinterland

Thinking about Normandy might conjure up images of sandy beaches, but that's not all the spectacular region has to offer. Normandy’s hinterland is a beautiful part of the country and well worth taking the time to explore. Its rolling green hills, black and white cows and apple orchards give the area a unique character. Combine that with some of the most beautiful villages in France featuring gorgeous half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, and you’re all set for the perfect Normandy driving tour! 

Make sure you spend some time in the Pays d’Auge, admiring its picturesque villages, such as Beuvron-en-Auge with its beautiful half timbered houses.

normandy back country Normandy Tours

©Dieter Basse - Half-Timbered Houses in Normandy

 

Normandy Beach Resorts : Honfleur to Cabourg

Along the Normandy coast, from Dieppe in the North of Rouen to Honfleur, Deauville and Cabourg, Normandy was - and still is - one of the main getaway destinations for the Parisians.

In the 19th century, famous painters such as Eugène Boudin immortalized these weekends in Deauville or Honfleur through their art. Later Monet and Manet – impressionist painters – also tried to reproduce the very special light that shines down on the Normandy beaches in the morning, at dawn or on a stormy day.

Top tip: if you are planning on driving from Paris CDG airport to Normandy direct on the day of your arrival, make sure you have "moules frites" for lunch in Honfleur port, followed by a stroll along the Deauville boardwalk. This is the perfect way to start your Normandy tour and unwind after your flight and get your first taste of French life!

 eugene boudin deauville Normandy Tours

Bathing Time in Deauville by Eugène Boudin in 1865

 

Normandy's Old Cities

Many historical sites were bombed during the Invasion of Normandy. However, many sites remain untouched (or were rebuilt after the war). 

  • Bayeux's old town with its majestic cathedral and millennium old Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066 are must-sees. Bayeux city, 5 miles inland behind Arromanches' artificial harbor, is the only big city that remained untouched by WWII and is perfect for strolling around, soaking up the atmosphere of Normandy. 
  • Those passionate about impressionist painters or Joan of Arc will also enjoy visiting Rouen

 bayeux old city Normandy Tours

©Ben Bard - Bayeux Old City

 

Normandy Gastronomy: if you like apples and dairy products...

You'll find out while self-driving in the Normandy, that the people there know how to enjoy life! Reputed gastronomes, they love a good home-made meal with a drink. Normandy is affectionately called the "butter land of the gods" because of its important production of some of France’s finest dairy products. With its seafood, cheese and apples, Normandy cuisine is one of the best in France. 

 normandy seafood

 

Why You Should avoid Day Trips from Paris to Normandy

Normandy is famous worldwide for playing a vital role in the Second World War. The American landings on Omaha and Utah beaches and the Canadian and British landings in Juno, Gold and Sword beach marked the beginning of the end of a terrible war. Today, thinking about Normandy, we all have these images in mind: military cemeteries, memorials and bombarded cities. A day trip from Paris is simply not enough to truly make the most of this fascinating part of France : a self guided tour of Normandy for several days is the best way to discover the region.

There is so much more to this authentic region, which is why it's worth giving it as much time as you can afford. Here are three great reasons to spend more than a day in Normandy!

 

  • Over 1000 years of Normandy history

Of course, the history of Normandy extends far beyond the 20th century. It was first invaded by the Vikings in 845 (find out more aout the Siege of Paris). It bore witness to Joan of Arc’s bravery in the early 15th century, when she was burned at the stake. It saw William the Conqueror’s endless thirst for greatness, followed by the Hundred Years War (between France and Great Britain) and then World Wars I and II. Too much to see in a day ! You should take your time and enjoy our self-guided tours of Normandy battlefields. 

 

  • Normandy Gastronomy

Normandy cuisine is renowned for its mouth-watering taste, with a particular focus on dairy, alcohol and seafood. Local specialties include butter and other dairy products, as well as Norman cider and Calvados (apple brandy). The apples come from the local orchards that you will spot as you make your way through the Norman hinterland and seaside.

 

  • The People of Normandy

Perhaps one of the best things about Normandy is the people who live there. It’s always difficult to generalize on these matters - and neither Guillaume nor Emilie have Norman roots. However, speaking objectively, we know the people of Normandy are joyful, open people who are easy to talk to and eager to welcome you to their region.

 

Before or After Normandy, where to ?

Normandy is only a 1 hour to 4 hour drive from Paris, depending if you want to reach Giverny or Mont Saint Michel. 

It is also about 2hrs30 to 3hrs drive to the Loire Valley, which makes a Paris, Normandy and Loire Valley wonderful itinerary without driving too much in between the different regions.

Also, Brittany region is right next to Normandy and a great addition to your self drive trip in France.

 

We take pride in crafting personalized tours of Normandy that take people to the popular places and attractions but avoid the worst of the tourist crowds. Better than an organized group tour, this self guided tour allows you to explore Normandy by car at your own pace. Scroll down to see a list of tours that include Normandy, or contact us to let us know your wishes and we can craft a tour just for you.

 

Explore Normandy at your own pace on a self drive tour with France Just For You

FAQs about Normandy

To fully understand the history of the Normandy region, we suggest a self-guided driving tour of Normandy for about 3 to 5 days (or more). Then, for travelers interested in history, we will plan for a Battle of Normandy tour with a local guide. For history lovers we will recommend a mix of D-Day beaches self-drive tour (for the site where you won't need a guide) and guided tours (private or with a small group depending on your budget) for the rest of the time.

All the D-Day beaches are open to the public freely. Some travelers may be surprised to see locals bathing in this area but for les Normands, it's part of history, but it's also the place you come with your children and enjoy the nice weather. Normandy beach tours are very popular with Northern American and British travelers.

It depends on the season you are visiting. June, with D-Day anniversary celebrations, gets booked at least 6 months in advance and our best guides are book over a year ahead for all the month of June. 

If you come another month of the year, booking about 4 months ahead gives us flexibility to craft your self-guided driving tour of Normandy and include all your wishes. 

Visit other French regions

Brittany

Alsace

Lyon

Somme

Champagne

Verdun

Provence

Dordogne

Loire Valley

Paris

Bordeaux

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Pamela
We just returned from a fantastic three weeks in Southwest France. I highly recommend the services of France Just For You, we could never have planned the trip ourselves as well as they did. Laura did the planning and gave us an amazing itinerary, and was available at a moment's notice when we had a plane cancellation on our flight to Bordeaux and …
Beth & Jim
We are a couple that contacted Emilie at France Just For You and her responsiveness and services were excellent. She and her husband listened very carefully to our stated interests and followed up with us in a very personal way. As independent travelers who work, we did not have time to fully plan a trip to the Dordogne region of France which was …
Wendy & Ron
We could not be happier. When we first received the guide book and brochures, we thought we would not need them, but they were invaluable! Our first stay with Florence and Phil was especially memorable but really we cannot think of a highlight because it was all wonderful. We will certainly recommend your company to anyone we know travelling to …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Rory & Mike
From the US
Enjoying a romantic moment
Harry
From Australia
In the War Cemetery in Normandy
Steffi & Jeff
in Chenonceau castle....romantic !
Jim
From Australia
At the top of the Rhune mount in the Basque Country
Shelley, Andy, Dianne & Bob
from the US
On the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Naz & Mounir
On a side-car tour in the Loire Valley
Rose & Bryan
from the US
in Chenonceau castle, Loire Valley
Kathy & Steve from the US
Having dinner at the B&B in the Loire Valley
Chris, Diane, Teresa & Lorelea
From the US
In Epernay, in the Champagne region
Nathalie from Australia
...found a truffle in Provence !
Sue & Chris
Romantic night in Montecarlo
Clemmer & Dennis
From the US
After folding the US flag in the Meuse Argonne War Cemetery - Eastern France