Summary
- Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris
- Normandy D-Day Beaches: Day Trip from Paris with Lunch
- From Paris: WWI Somme Battlefields Full-Day Tour
- From Paris: Small Group Day Trip to Rouen and Giverny
- Welcome to Rouen: Private Walking Tour with a Local
- Day Trip to Normandy: Sightseeing & Calvados Liquor Tasting
- Normandy and Brittany 2-Day Tour from Paris
- From Paris: Full-Day Gourmet Tour to Normandy
- Normandy: Omaha Beach U.S. Cemetery Guided Walking Tour
- From Paris: Full-Day Small Group Tour to Honfleur
- Paris: Full-Day Étretat & Le Havre with Cooking Class
- Normandy Tour of D-Day Landing Beaches & Museum Tickets
- Normandy D-Day All Day Tour by Minibus from Paris
- Paris: Small Group Tour to Mont St-Michel & Honfleur
- Private Mont Saint-Michel Family Walking Tour
One of the treasures of Northern France, Normandy serves as an exceptional destination to immerse yourself in the remarkable history, culture, and gastronomy for which this region is renowned. The coastline here acts as a significant historical area, allowing visitors to engage with the past and learn about the beaches where numerous battles unfolded during World War II.
Additionally, Mont-Saint-Michel, one of the world’s most iconic monasteries, is situated just off the coast on its own island.
Throughout the region, UNESCO World Heritage sites are enveloped in ornate villages, historical cities, and along the coastline, many of which inspired some of France’s most distinguished Impressionist painters. Furthermore, make sure to explore the region’s exquisite gastronomy.
Below are 15 carefully selected tours in Normandy that will optimize your travel experience.
1. Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris
Renowned as one of Europe’s most significant pilgrimage sites, the abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and ranks high on the list of most visitors during their Normandy visit. This tour not only encompasses your entrance ticket to the fortified city, but it also includes transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach from Paris.
During the journey, there is an opportunity to stop in a traditional Norman village, allowing you to meander through the narrow, cobblestone streets before approaching the mouth of the Couesnon River to catch your first glimpse of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Once on the island, you may ascend the ramparts before proceeding to the abbey, which overlooks the surrounding town and bay. After a day filled with exploration, you will be conveniently transported back to Paris on the same luxury coach.
2. Normandy D-Day Beaches: Day Trip from Paris with Lunch
This somber and unforgettable day trip is essential for those interested in the Second World War. This 14-hour tour provides an informative and reflective experience that delves into the D-Day landings and the advancement of allied forces in France.
The journey commences early, as you board the luxury air-conditioned coach in Paris and embark on the trip to Caen, where your first destination awaits. The Caen Memorial Museum narrates the story of the Battle of Normandy. After appreciating the exhibits and films, a delightful lunch is available to enjoy.
The next destination is Pointe-du-Hoc, situated between Utah and Omaha beaches, closely adjacent to the American cemetery, which will also be toured. Following this, you will visit Arromanches and Juno Beach. After a full day of exploration, you can relax on the coach before a 9 PM arrival back in Paris.
3. From Paris: WWI Somme Battlefields Full-Day Tour
significant battles of World War I also occurred on French soil. This full-day trip to the Somme Battlefields pays tribute to the lives lost during the First World War.
Your journey begins with pickup from your accommodation by a knowledgeable and attentive guide, who will transport you from Paris in a minivan whilst providing insights about the beautiful French countryside. Along the route, you will gain knowledge about the important memorials, cemeteries, and battles of the Somme, including enlightening facts from Péronne’s historical museum.
At the conclusion of the day, your driver will return you to your hotel in Paris.
4. From Paris: Small Group Day Trip to Rouen and Giverny
This day trip combines two of Normandy’s most picturesque and captivating towns. You will travel comfortably in an air-conditioned minivan, accompanied by a local guide who will share fascinating stories and information about both historical locations.
You will not be left to explore the cities independently; instead, a guided walking tour of Rouen will lead you to the Notre Dame Cathedral, while in Giverny, you will enjoy pre-booked tickets that allow you to bypass the lines to visit the home of the iconic painter, Claude Monet, where you can admire the water garden that inspired his celebrated paintings of Water Lilies.
After a fulfilling day, you will be returned to your accommodation in Paris.
5. Welcome to Rouen: Private Walking Tour with a Local
This experience is tailored for individuals eager to delve deeper into Rouen. This unique walking tour of the historical city is led by a local guide, who will share secrets that remain hidden to the average tourist.
By exploring the city through the perspective of a local, you will discover the best markets for fresh produce, along with exceptional dining options should you prefer to enjoy local cuisine without the effort of cooking. Importantly, as the tour is customized for you, your guide can adapt it to align with your personal interests. Furthermore, if English is not your primary language, tours are offered in Spanish, French, German, and Russian as well.
6. Day Trip to Normandy: Sightseeing & Calvados Liquor Tasting
This remarkable day trip not only permits you to experience the breathtaking sights of Normandy but also enables a visit to the Christian Drouin factory, where you will sample three varieties of calvados and cider.
Your day commences with pickup from your hotel in Paris, followed by a two-and-a-half-hour journey through the picturesque French landscape, where you will stop to savor local beverages.
The trip continues to the stunning fishing port of Honfleur, with its captivating harbor and charming 18th-century townhouses that served as inspiration for many renowned French Impressionists.
While at the port, indulge in exquisite French cuisine for lunch. Following your meal, you’ll visit the magnificent white cliffs and natural arches of Étretat, concluding the tour at the remarkable Fécamp Palace.
After a day designed to leave you pleasantly fatigued, you’ll be returned directly to your accommodation in Paris.
7. Normandy and Brittany 2-Day Tour from Paris
This two-day tour is ideal for those with additional time to explore. During this overnight tour of Normandy and Brittany, you will experience the finest offerings of both regions. On the first day, you will be picked up at your hotel in Paris in a luxury air-conditioned coach, followed by a walking tour through the enchanting city of Rouen, and then a delicious lunch in Honfleur.
After your meal, you will delve into the region’s historical war stories by visiting the D-Day landing beaches and the American cemetery. In the evening, you will retreat to a luxurious 3-star hotel situated in Caen.
The second day begins with a buffet breakfast (be sure to enjoy fresh croissants) before traveling to the town of St. Malo for lunch, concluding with a visit to the remarkable Mont-Saint-Michel. You will have ample free time to discover the abbey before heading back to Paris.
The best aspect of this excursion? Every aforementioned detail is included in the package.
8. From Paris: Full-Day Gourmet Tour to Normandy
This outstanding tour is indispensable for culinary enthusiasts. Not only will you visit a cheese factory to sample the renowned flavors for which France is famous, but you will also have the opportunity to taste calvados and cider produced on a local farm.
To ensure a well-rounded experience beyond merely tasting food, a wine and spirits expert will accompany you and share details about the beverages you enjoy during your gourmet lunch at the farm.
Before returning to Paris and being dropped at your hotel, there will be an opportunity to work off those indulgences in the picturesque village of Honfleur and along the delightful seafront of Deauville.
9. Normandy: Omaha Beach U.S. Cemetery Guided Walking Tour
This poignant one-and-a-half-hour tour provides an opportunity to learn about and visit the final resting place of many American soldiers who tragically lost their lives during the D-Day battles on Normandy’s beaches. Featuring over 9,000 marble headstones, this cemetery is among the largest dedicated to allied soldiers in Normandy.
Your knowledgeable local guide will provide essential information regarding this significant site of remembrance and tranquility. This tour is particularly recommended for those with an interest in war history.
10. From Paris: Full-Day Small Group Tour to Honfleur
Do you wish to explore the sites that inspired the great French Impressionists? This private tour of Honfleur, Deauville, and Trouville will be a perfect fit. You will travel comfortably from your accommodation in Paris to the stunning Normandy coast. Your day will commence with a guided exploration of the charming seaside town of Honfleur, recognized as one of the most stunning towns in this region.
Subsequently, you will be taken to the Côte Fleurie (the flowered coast) and the fishing villages of Deauville and Trouville, where you will also partake in an insightful guided tour. After a day enriching your experience with seaside vistas and sandy beaches, you will be returned to your Paris accommodation.
11. Paris: Full-Day Étretat & Le Havre with Cooking Class
Travel to Étretat in an air-conditioned minibus equipped with Wi-Fi and educational tablets to prepare for your excursion. The highlight of the day undoubtedly involves a cooking class inspired by Impressionism, taking place in a exquisite manor. A skilled chef will craft a menu rooted in Monet’s recipes, which you will have the opportunity to prepare and savor; it is guaranteed to delight your palate.
After indulging in a delectable meal, the journey continues to Le Havre to explore the UNESCO World Heritage port town. You will conclude your trip with a visit to the Museum of Modern Art before returning to your hotel in Paris.
12. Normandy Tour of D-Day Landing Beaches & Museum Tickets
For enthusiasts of military history, this remarkable opportunity to explore the renowned beaches where allied forces landed during World War II should not be missed. This five-and-a-half-hour tour will take you to key D-Day sites and provide critical insights into understanding the complexities of the conflict, while paying tribute to the countless individuals who lost their lives.
You will journey to the Mémorial de Caen, Arromanches, and the military cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer in an air-conditioned minivan, ensuring you can reflect on the day in comfort.
13. Normandy D-Day All Day Tour by Minibus from Paris
If you appreciate nature, this private guided tour will showcase the breathtaking beauty of Northern France’s coastline along with its historic urban centers. You will be collected from your accommodation in Paris in a luxurious air-conditioned minivan before embarking on this remarkable journey through Normandy.
14. Paris: Small Group Tour to Mont St-Michel & Honfleur
In addition to visiting Mont-Saint-Michel, where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in the 8th century, this tour includes a trip to the picturesque town of Honfleur, one of Normandy’s loveliest locations. This 13-hour excursion begins with pickup from your hotel in Paris, leading to a four-hour journey to the iconic monastery, where you’ll skip the lines and have the option to select either an audio guide or a personal guide.
While lunch is not included in this journey, you will have the chance to stop at a traditional French patisserie before proceeding to Honfleur. In this charming town, you will discover the inspirations behind many Impressionist masterpieces, wandering through the cobbled streets before your return to Paris.
15. Private Mont Saint-Michel Family Walking Tour
This tour is ideal for families traveling with children, as it engages both adults and kids in ways that vividly illustrate the town’s 1,300-year history. Your guide will share fascinating stories as you ascend from the base of Mont-Saint-Michel to the summit of the 83-meter-tall rock, where you will have the opportunity to explore the monastery.
Your entrance ticket is included, and you will also have the chance to venture into the dungeons, an experience that children will surely appreciate!
