From mist-cloaked sea stacks to solemn war beaches, Normandy offers a profoundly layered journey through beauty, history, and human resilience.
This driving adventure unfolds over 6–8 days, tracing a soul-stirring arc from the chalk cliffs of Étretat to the green folds of Suisse Normande — capturing the region’s natural splendour, artistic legacy, and wartime poignancy in equal measure.
Getting There and On the Road
Travel from the UK to Normandy is seamless, with options catering to both spontaneity and comfort:
- By Ferry: Brittany Ferries sail from Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) — approx. 6 hours
- By Eurotunnel: Folkestone to Calais (35 mins), followed by a scenic 3.5-hour drive to Étretat
Return via Caen, Cherbourg, or drive back through Calais. Rental cars are readily available at major ports.
Étretat: Normandy’s Natural Cathedral
Start at Étretat, where plunging chalk cliffs and dramatic sea arches shape one of Europe’s most photogenic coastlines. The iconic Aiguille (needle rock) and the windswept Falaise d’Aval invite cliff walks with cinematic views and if you have time take a detour to Jardins d’Étretat — a fusion of surrealist topiary and coastal panoramas.
Honfleur: A Harbour Painted in Light
Follow the coast (1 hour) to Honfleur, whose narrow streets and harbour charm inspired Monet and Boudin.
- Stroll the Vieux Bassin, lined with slate-fronted houses
- Visit the Église Sainte-Catherine, built by shipwrights
- Pop into the Eugène Boudin Museum for early Impressionist works
Taste Tip: Sample Calvados at a local cellar on Rue de la République — a sensory nod to Normandy’s apple-rich terroir.
Bayeux: A Tapestry of Time
Drive west to Bayeux, where medieval serenity meets historic storytelling.
- The Bayeux Tapestry Museum offers an immersive retelling of the Norman Conquest
- Wander through Notre-Dame Cathedral — a Gothic landmark with Romanesque nuance
- Pause at the Bayeux War Cemetery, the region’s largest British burial ground
Omaha Beach & Pointe du Hoc: Landscapes of Memory
A short drive leads to the solemn sweep of Omaha Beach, site of the pivotal D-Day landings.
- Reflect at the Normandy American Cemetery, a powerful tribute to sacrifice
- Explore Pointe du Hoc, where bomb-scarred terrain and German bunkers remain preserved
- Visit the Overlord Museum for tactile accounts of June 1944
Arromanches-les-Bains: Engineering Triumphs
20 minutes away, Arromanches tells the story of the Mulberry Harbour, an ingenious wartime construction.
- Dive into the D-Day Museum
- Experience the 360° Circular Cinema, blending archival footage with modern storytelling
Caen: William’s Legacy and Modern Remembrance
Drive on to Caen, known both for its medieval roots and post-war resilience.
- Tour Caen Castle, one of Europe’s largest fortified structures
- Visit Abbaye aux Hommes, burial site of William the Conqueror
- Spend time at the Mémorial de Caen, an expansive museum on war, peace, and Europe’s modern journey
Suisse Normande: Serenity by Design
Complete your journey in Suisse Normande, where the Orne River winds through emerald valleys and rocky outcrops.
- Clécy offers kayaking, viaduct walks, and café-laced charm
- For dramatic views, hike to Roche d’Oëtre, a geological marvel above the valley
Optional detours
- Deauville & Trouville: for beachside glamour and Belle Époque elegance
- Falaise: birthplace of William the Conqueror with a tech-enhanced fortress museum
- Mont-Saint-Michel: a possible detour for the iconic abbey-island, best visited early or late to avoid crowds
Best time to visit
For the most rewarding experience, the ideal time to road trip through Normandy is late May to mid-June or early September. These shoulder seasons offer the perfect balance — with mild, pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and full access to outdoor sites and museums.
In late spring, the landscape is lush and blooming, cliffside paths are radiant with sea light, and towns like Honfleur and Bayeux feel freshly alive. Early autumn, on the other hand, brings golden foliage, a crisp edge to the air, and apple harvests that amplify Normandy’s rustic charm.
Both windows lend themselves beautifully to evocative storytelling, rich photography, and contemplative moments, whether gazing out from the cliffs of Étretat or walking the hallowed sands of Omaha Beach.