Normandy Road Trip: Rouen to Mont-Saint-Michel (4 Days)

Normandy pairs pretty harbours and cream-and-cider countryside with some of the most moving history in Europe. A relaxed drive west along the coast, ending at one of the continent’s great sights rising from the tidal flats.

Day 1 — Rouen to Honfleur (85 km)

Start in medieval Rouen (Monet’s cathedral, Joan of Arc), then down the Seine to the painters’ harbour of Honfleur on the estuary.

Day 2 — The D-Day beaches (90 km)

West to Bayeux for the famous tapestry, then the D-Day beaches — Omaha, the American cemetery and the batteries at Longues-sur-Mer.

Day 3 — Cotentin coast (110 km)

Down the Cotentin peninsula toward the bay, through apple-orchard country. Sleep in Granville, on the northern edge of the bay.

Day 4 — Mont-Saint-Michel

The island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, best at low tide and after the day-trippers leave. Park on the mainland and take the shuttle across.

Tolls and costs

France has autoroute tolls, but the coastal roads are toll-free and prettier. Mont-Saint-Michel parking is paid and away from the mount. Use the cost calculator for your dates.

This trip is also in the free Roadcut trip planner: change the number of days and where you sleep each night, pick your vehicle to see the fuel cost, check the weather on the road, and open each day in Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze.