Normandy 3-night itinerary

[Anonymous]

Planning on 3 nights in Normandy with our two ES age DCs. Would love some suggestions on an itinerary. We plan to rent a car. I'm not sure whether we should stay in one place for all 3 nights or not? We would like to visit WWII sites on one day, but also visit a chateau or two, have a nice coastal hike, etc. If we were to stay in Bayeux or surrounding area, do folks have recommended chateaus and villages to visit from there? Are there other recommended coastal hikes beside Etretat (which seems a bit far)? Pre-kids DH and I would likely just meander but one of my kids gets anxious without a plan. TIA.

[Anonymous]

We went with our kids and they loved it. We stayed in an old chateau about 15 minutes outside of Bayeux. First day we did breakfast and museums in Bayeux plus cathedral, and in the afternoon went to gold beach with picnic lunch. Next day we did the cemetery, point du Hoc, Omaha beach etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went with our kids and they loved it. We stayed in an old chateau about 15 minutes outside of Bayeux. First day we did breakfast and museums in Bayeux plus cathedral, and in the afternoon went to gold beach with picnic lunch. Next day we did the cemetery, point du Hoc, Omaha beach etc.

Thanks! Where did you stay? That sounds neat.

[Anonymous]

While far, you may went to consider a night at Mont Saint-Michel. You could daytrip too but there would be thousands of other daytrippers too, the crowds thin out at night.

There are loads of castles in Normandy but some are better than others so do your research.

[Anonymous]

We stayed in Caen and did day trips but Bayeux would work too, and is quaint.

Be sure to check out the Bayeux Tapestry. They have programs for kids and it's like visiting a 70 meter long comic book. The audio commentary is very good.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely add Mont-st-michel if at all possible (and I think it is).

On the WWII sites, Point du Hoc involves a (short) little coastal hike, but given the history understand it might not be what you had in mind.

Also would not miss the Normandy American Cemetery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While far, you may went to consider a night at Mont Saint-Michel. You could daytrip too but there would be thousands of other daytrippers too, the crowds thin out at night.

There are loads of castles in Normandy but some are better than others so do your research.

NP but wondering if there are there any specific chateaux/castles anyone could recommend near Bayeux? Have been googling but for some reason I am having a hard time figuring out what would be most worthwhile. Planning to visit D-Day beaches and sites in Bayeux itself but trying to figure out what to do for another half day.

[Anonymous]

3rd +1 for Mont St Michel. It is full of tourists, but there is nothing quite like it.

Drove to Normandy from there many years ago from an Army post in Germany.. Stopped at St Mere Eglise on the way. (where the paratrooper hung from the church steeple). (If you haven't, you might consider watching "The Longest Day.")

Normandy beaches are interesting. Helpful if you go over some of the history with the kids earlier. Don't skip the cemetery.

Didn't have time to do Bayeux, but regret it. We were on a three day weekend and had to get back to work. But, you should be able to include it.

[Anonymous]

We are doing this very trip next week, with our middle schooler. Here is our plan:

Arrive at CDG and then rent a car and drive to Bayeux. The next morning we will adjust in Bayeux...then after lunch drive west to start visiting WWII sites (maybe earlier depending on how we feel). In the late afternoon we have a jeep tour scheduled in Sainte Mère Église that also takes us to sites.

Day two we decided to be flexible. My H is really into WWII, so if he feels there is more he wants to see, we will drive around visiting more. If not, we will drive to Mont Saint-Michel.

Day three we check out of our hotel. We plan on visiting the Bayeux Tapestry then drive back to Paris, maybe stopping along the way. It's tough because we drive to Paris on a Monday and many sites (like the Versailles Château) are closed on Mondays. There is Monet's House which is an option too.

We are staying at the Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux and our tour is with Normandy Jeep Tours (I had to email to arrange). My H watched Band of Brothers with our son to prepare him, though that probably isn't an option for ES kids.

[Anonymous]

Stay here https://chateaudaudrieu.com/fr/

It’s beautiful and reasonably priced. Not far from Bayeux, and close to all the WWII stuff. Our kids loved it here too.

[Anonymous]

The Bayeaux Tapestry was fantastic. Even DH who is usually not at all interested in stuff like that loved it. It can be surprisingly cold in Normandy, even in summer, so take a jacket. It was rainy and chilly when we did a tour of the WWII sites. I’m glad I went last year. I think as an American I’d be almost ashamed to visit now given what’s become of our government and country.

[Anonymous]

Just got back from Normandy. You will love it.
Highly recommend Villa Lara hotel in Bayeux and the Bayeux Tapestry. Leave yourself time to wander in Bayeux. The shopping is fun and pastries are divine. Even the food I got at the grocery store was so good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are doing this very trip next week, with our middle schooler. Here is our plan:

Arrive at CDG and then rent a car and drive to Bayeux. The next morning we will adjust in Bayeux...then after lunch drive west to start visiting WWII sites (maybe earlier depending on how we feel). In the late afternoon we have a jeep tour scheduled in Sainte Mère Église that also takes us to sites.

Day two we decided to be flexible. My H is really into WWII, so if he feels there is more he wants to see, we will drive around visiting more. If not, we will drive to Mont Saint-Michel.

Day three we check out of our hotel. We plan on visiting the Bayeux Tapestry then drive back to Paris, maybe stopping along the way. It's tough because we drive to Paris on a Monday and many sites (like the Versailles Château) are closed on Mondays. There is Monet's House which is an option too.

We are staying at the Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux and our tour is with Normandy Jeep Tours (I had to email to arrange). My H watched Band of Brothers with our son to prepare him, though that probably isn't an option for ES kids.

6:37 here- hahaha we are also staying in Bayeux three nights and booked that jeep tour too! We may take a similar approach for the second day and see what we feel like doing. I was put off by the reports of how crowded MSM is and this would be on a weekend. Already going to have crowds in Paris. But we'll see.

[Anonymous]

I also highly recommend the Arromanches WW2 museum. It sits right on the beach and the displays are amazing. Be sure to catch the 20-30 minute movie on how the Brits and the US worked together to build an artificial port in Normandy. Really interesting! Our kids really enjoyed it too. Other than that, I agree with others that Mont Saint Michele, Bayeaux Tapestry, and walking on the beaches of Normandy and also incredible experiences.

https://musee-arromanches.fr/en/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also highly recommend the Arromanches WW2 museum. It sits right on the beach and the displays are amazing. Be sure to catch the 20-30 minute movie on how the Brits and the US worked together to build an artificial port in Normandy. Really interesting! Our kids really enjoyed it too. Other than that, I agree with others that Mont Saint Michele, Bayeaux Tapestry, and walking on the beaches of Normandy and also incredible experiences.

https://musee-arromanches.fr/en/

+1
We did this too. Kids liked it. We did Normandy on a daytrip from Paris, stopped at Honfleur which is very charming. Full day at Mont Ste. Michele with dinner at the omelette place. This was DH's favorite day. American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc were amazing. Monet's Giverney on the way back to Paris the next day. My favorite day.