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Contents
- Overview of Normandy
- Best time to visit Normandy
- How to get to Normandy
- Where to rent a motorcycle in Normandy
- Where to base yourself
- Suggested 3 Day Motorcycle Itinerary for Normandy:
- Day 1: Rouen to Étretat
- Day 2: Étretat to Mont St Michel
- Day 3: Mont St Michel to D-Day Beaches
- Map of 3 Day Normandy Itinerary
- Where to Stay in Normandy
- Additional places to visit in Normandy
If you’re wanting to take your motorcycle to this beautiful region, read this guide and Normandy itinerary! The region of Normandy is perfect for exploring on a motorbike.
Before you read!
Have you checked the motorcycle riding in France guide? Click the link to get an overview of the rules and regulations when riding in France:
Overview of Normandy
Normandy, located in the northwest of France, is a region known for its rolling countryside and charming coastal towns. It is also famous for the pivotal role it played in World War II, particularly the D-Day landings.
Normandy is also renowned for its delicious cuisine, including fresh seafood, cider, and cheese. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, landscapes, or food, Normandy has something to offer everyone.
Best time to visit Normandy
The weather in Normandy is usually cloudy and rainy but, when the sun comes out, it is absolutely beautiful. The best time to visit Normandy is early summer and beginning of the fall, after the spring rainy season and before it gets too cold. If you don’t mind riding in the rain though, the weather is definitely part of the Normandy charm!
How to get to Normandy
If you fly into Paris, you will likely reach Normandy by train, which takes an hour and a half to two hours, depending where you go. You can of course rent a motorcycle in Paris and then drive to Normandy, but the route is mostly highways and about 3 hours.
If you are coming from the UK, you can also take a ferry into various ports, such as the Portsmouth to Caen or to Le Havre.
Where to rent a motorcycle in Normandy
If you’re looking to rent a motorcycle in Normandy, there are a few options available. One popular choice is to rent from a website that works with several different providers, such as Easy Renter. These companies offer a range of motorcycles for rent, from classic models to modern touring bikes. You can also rent from a local company, such as Normandy Bike in Caen.
Where to base yourself
When traveling through Normandy you can either stay in different cities along the route or base yourself out of a home city and do day trips. Caen is the largest city in the area so will have a wide range of lodging options for different budgets. Rouen is also a nice option, with its close proximity to Étretat.
Suggested 3 Day Motorcycle Itinerary for Normandy:
Although there are many sights to see in Normandy, here is a suggested 3 day itinerary for you that I’ve created for you to visit some of the most well known and amazing spots. (Map of route below)
Day 1: Rouen to Étretat
Time to drive: 1 hour 30 minutes
Begin your adventure in Rouen, a charming student city known for its Gothic architecture and famous cathedral. Here you can enjoy a nice breakfast before beginning your motorcycle route. Wander the medieval city and visit the Gros Horloge (a 14th-century astronomical clock)(literally translates to ‘big clock’) and the Place du Vieux-Marché (where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431).
From Rouen, start your journey to Étretat, a small coastal town famous for its breathtaking cliffs and natural arches.
Once you reach Étretat, take a stroll along the pebble beach and admire the stunning cliffs that inspired artists such as Monet and Boudin. On a warm, summer day, you can sunbathe on the beach with the locals and climb up to the top of the cliffs. Étretat has a small city centre so grab a local lunch and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. For an unforgettable experience, take a boat tour and view the cliffs from a unique perspective.
Day 2: Étretat to Mont St Michel
Time to drive: 3 hours and 15 minutes
On day two, get ready to visit one of France’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mont St Michel!
Mont Saint Michel is a little bit west of most of the Normandy sights, but well worth it! This little island is surrounded by water when the tide is high, and sometimes overrun by sheep when the tide is low! It’s a medieval castle town, with many shops and restaurants to visit, as well as an abbey at the very top. On a clear day, you can look out over the Normandy countryside from the monastery walls.
To get there, take the D940 route and ride along the beautiful Normandy coast, passing through picturesque villages and stunning beaches. For a break on route, you can stop in Honfleur, a charming fishing village where you can enjoy some fresh seafood and admire the medieval architecture. Once you’ve stretched your legs a bit, continue on your way west towards Mont St Michel.
When you’ve arrived, park your motorcycle at the Mont St Michel parking lot and head to the medieval town on foot (there should be plenty of signs). From the parking lot there is a bus that frequently takes visitors to the town and back. You can walk, but the walk is 30-45 minutes one way, plus you’re already going to be walking a bit around the village! Once you’ve entered the village, shop around and enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants before visiting the abbey at the top of the hill, which dates back to the 8th century, and take in the stunning views of the surrounding bay.
Day 3: Mont St Michel to D-Day Beaches
Time to drive: 2 hours
It’s finally time to visit the D-Day Beaches! Head towards the Omaha Beach and the coastline, where the Allied Forces landed during the Normandy invasion in World War II. First, visit the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, where over 9,000 American soldiers who lost their lives during the D-Day landings are buried. There seem to be miles and miles of crosses marking the soldiers buried, and there are many memorial statues telling the history of D-Day and WWII. Definitely a must-see for anyone visiting the area, American or not.
From there, head to Pointe du Hoc, a point on the cliffs that housed many German bunkers. During the D-Day landings, rangers were sent to the Pointe du Hoc cliffs to distract the army while their comrades landed on nearby Omaha, Utah, and Sword beaches. There is a museum at Pointe du Hoc that tells more about the history, and you can also go visit the abandoned bunkers on the hill.
Afterwards, make your way to Omaha Beach, one of the most significant sites of the D-Day landings, and pay your respects to the soldiers who fought for freedom.
Map of 3 Day Normandy Itinerary
Where to Stay in Normandy
If you decide to stay on route, there are plenty of accommodation options for all budgets. Here are a few suggestions:
- Hotel Kyriad Rouen Centre: Located in the heart of Rouen, this hotel offers comfortable rooms and a convenient location close to the city’s main attractions.
- La Villa 10: This charming hotel in Étretat offers cozy rooms and a beautiful terrace with jacuzzi for relaxing after a long day of riding.
- Le Relais Saint Michel: This hotel, located just a stone’s throw from Mont St Michel, offers stunning views of the bay and comfortable rooms.
- Hotel de la Marine: This hotel in a small town on the coast is a great base for exploring the D-Day beaches and features comfortable rooms an on-site restaurant, and amazing location right on the water.
Additional places to visit in Normandy
If you have additional time to explore, you should check out these other sights in Normandy:
- Bayeux: Bayeux is a charming town located just a short drive away from the D-day beaches and is best known for its famous tapestry. The Bayeux Tapestry is an 11th century old embroidered cloth that depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England. The tapestry is on display at the Tapestry museum, and you can also spend some time wandering the Old Town of Bayeux.
- Giverny: This small village is best known as the home of the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Monet lived and worked in Giverny for more than 40 years, and it was here that he painted his famous water lily series. Visitors can tour Monet’s house and gardens, which have been restored to their original splendor, and explore the charming village streets. Giverny is about an hour from Paris in Southeastern Normandy, but well worth visiting if you’re headed in that direction!
- Deauville: Deauville is a charming seaside resort town known for its glamorous atmosphere, luxurious hotels, and beautiful sandy beaches. Deauville is popular during the summer months and offers a wide range of activities such as horse racing, golf, and water sports. The town is also known for its elegant architecture, including the famous half-timbered houses and the iconic Casino Barrière de Deauville.
These destinations are all within easy reach of the region of Normandy itinerary, and are well worth a visit for anyone who has the time to extend their trip.
