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Train journey and first evening in Normandy's old capital
A pure travel day with a long train journey, so in the evening there's just a short stroll through the old town.
Allow plenty of buffer time for the changes in Paris, especially with luggage.
Long stage — allow time for breaks.
This is where your journey begins. From the main station, you travel by train via Paris to Normandy.
The Gothic cathedral with its intricate west front inspired Claude Monet to paint an entire series of works capturing the changing light throughout the day. In the evening the square is quiet, and you can take your time admiring the façade. Admission is free.
A historic townhouse right in the old town, quiet and comfortable, within walking distance of the cathedral and the half-timbered streets. A great base for the first and second evening, before you pick up your hire car.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Old town, art and Jeanne d'Arc
No car and no fixed schedule needed — ideal for settling in.
At the weekly market on Place du Vieux-Marché you'll find good fish and cheese for a snack.
The Renaissance astronomical clock above the bustling pedestrian street is the city's landmark. From the tower, which you can climb, there's a lovely view over the rooftops of the old town.
One of Normandy's most important art museums, with a strong Impressionist collection including works by Monet, Sisley and Renoir. The permanent collection is free to visit and makes for a calm introduction to the theme of the trip.
A medieval plague cemetery with richly carved half-timbered galleries, unusual and atmospheric. Today it's a quiet courtyard with a café, good for a break.
Monet's garden and a first glimpse of the cliffs
Today brings the only slightly longer drive of the trip, since Giverny and Étretat are quite far apart.
Parking in Étretat itself can be tight; park up by the hotel or in the designated coastal car parks.
The best place to collect your hire car is right at Rouen-Rive-Droite station, where several providers have branches. Book in advance — it's cheaper and secures availability for the coastal days.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The pink house and the famous water gardens with their Japanese bridge and water-lily pond, which Monet designed and painted himself over decades. In May the garden is in full bloom. Book a time slot to avoid queues.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The world-famous chalk cliffs with the natural arches Porte d'Aval and Porte d'Amont, and the rock needle known as the Aiguille. In the late afternoon the light is lovely for a first walk along the cliffs. Sturdy shoes help on the grassy paths.
A charming hotel above the town with a panoramic view of the cliffs and a park leading down to the sea. A quiet base for the coastal days ahead, with parking and a good restaurant.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Walking along the chalk cliffs
A pure walking and relaxation day with no driving at all, at a thoroughly relaxed pace.
The afternoon is free for the beach or some quiet time in the hotel park.
A modern, artistically designed garden high above the cliffs, with sculpted box hedges and sea views. A quiet, unusual spot right at the start of the climb to Porte d'Amont.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
A path leads up from the town to the Falaise d'Aval, with the best view of the great rock arch and the freestanding needle. The circular route across the meadows is easily manageable and offers ever-changing views of the sea.
A fish restaurant in town with fresh catch and seafood, cosy and unpretentious. A good spot for a late lunch after the walk.
A fishing harbour, steep coastline and a blooming village
An easy-going coastal day with two short to medium drives, always under three hours.
In Veules-les-Roses it's worth stopping for oysters right on the beach.
A splendid palace where the herbal liqueur Bénédictine is made, with a museum and a tour through the distillery and herb cellar. Fécamp itself is a lively fishing harbour with a long seafaring tradition.
The old harbour with fishing boats and market stalls selling freshly caught fish. From the cliffs at Cap Fagnet there's a sweeping view over the Alabaster Coast.
One of the most beautiful villages in France, crossed by the shortest river in the country, the Veules. Narrow lanes, watermills, blooming gardens and a small beach make the afternoon here special. Oysters are available right by the sea.
A modern port city and a picturesque old harbour
Short drives, plenty of time to wander around Le Havre and Honfleur.
Parking in Honfleur's old town is tight; use the signposted car parks on the edge of town and walk in.
This light-filled museum by the sea holds one of France's most significant Impressionist collections, with works by Monet, Boudin and Pissarro. The building by Auguste Perret helped make Le Havre a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town centre, rebuilt after the war by Auguste Perret using exposed concrete, is an outstanding ensemble of modernist architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Église Saint-Joseph with its tower of light is well worth a look.
The old harbour, lined with tall, narrow slate-roofed houses around the water basin, is one of Normandy's most famous sights and has drawn generations of painters. The wooden Église Sainte-Catherine and the narrow lanes are perfect for a wander.
A romantic little house with cosy, individually decorated rooms, just a few steps from the old harbour. Perfect as the second base of the trip, full of charm with a peaceful garden.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Fashionable seaside resorts and a castle above the harbour
The furthest day trip of the journey, as Dieppe lies to the east; if you'd prefer a quieter pace, you can shorten the Dieppe visit and spend longer in Deauville.
Deauville in the morning, Dieppe in the afternoon, so you get the best light along the coast.
Long stage — allow time for breaks.
The elegant seaside resort with its famous wooden boardwalk, colourful beach umbrellas and Belle Époque villas. A stroll along Les Planches and a coffee on the seafront are a must.
The castle high above the town houses a museum covering maritime history, ivory carvings and works by painters who worked in Dieppe. From the ramparts there are views across the Channel and the fishing harbour.
The lively harbour is known for scallops and fresh fish, sold along the quays and at the market. A lovely spot for a late lunch of seafood.
Journey home via Paris
The last day is a pure travel day; the train journey is long, but relaxed and without the stress of changing trains at the wheel.
Set off in good time before drop-off, so there's a good buffer before Honfleur.
Long stage — allow time for breaks.
From Honfleur you drive back to Rouen and drop off the hire car at the station. From there the train journey takes you back to Hamburg via Paris.
Arrival back at the starting point of the trip. This is where your round trip through Normandy comes to an end.
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