Introduction: Normandy & Brittany Road Trip
It is time to discover the west part of France. Learn about D-Day and the famous landings in the Normandy beach at WWII and then fall in love with medieval towns.
We made the trip in 11/12 days but If you are coming from abroad, plan 2 weeks.
This Normandy & Brittany road trip is an overview of the region and there would be enough to do for months. But we kept it to the essential.
Table of Contents
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Normandy & Brittany road trip itinerary overview
West of France can be travelled by plane, train, bus but the best way to enjoy it is by car. This allow you to really be flexible and get around places. This is going to be an intense and a bit rushed itinerary, but you will get all the highlights.
- Day 1: Arrive in Paris
- Day 2: Omaha beach
- Day 3: Utah, Ravalet Castle and Cherbourg
- Day 4: Mont Saint-Michel
- Day 5: Saint-Malo
- Day 6: Saint-Malo
- Day 7: Quimper
- Day 8: Lorient
- Day 9: Belle Ile en Mer
- Day 10: Ile aux Moines
- Day 11: Vannes, Josselin
- Day 12: Vitré
- Day 13: Versailles
- Day 14: Return
Day by Day Normandy & Brittany Road trip itinerary overview
Day 1
Arrive in France or jump this day
Day 2
Arrive in the morning near the Normandy’s coast. Visit the Longues-sur-Mer battery and then walk along the coast to stretch a bit your legs.
Keep on until the beach of Omaha. Visit the Normandy American Cemetery, then the Memorial Museum of Omaha Beach, walks along the beach were the US troops landed.
Drive a bit further and explore the Pointe du Hoc to finish the day.
- Where to stay: La Faisanderie (€) Chambres d’hôtes Les 4 Vents Pointe du Hoc (€€) Le Manoir de Ravenoville (€€€)
Day 3
Drive to Utah Beach, walk along the coast and discover the monument there. Visit its D-Day museum and to finish the WWII part of the trip make a last stop at Crisbecq Battery
Hop on the car and drive to Ravalet Castle. Enjoy the beginning of the after under the shade of the park while admiring the Castle.
To finish the day, go to Cherbourg and visit La Cité de la Mer and the 1st French Nuclear Submarine.
- Stay at: Hotel Le Cercle (€) Mercure Cherbourg Centre Port (€€)
Read More: The Genuine Ravalet Castle Travel Guide
Day 4
Leave early in the morning and drive to the Mont Saint Michel. Visit the Mont Saint Michel and its Abbey.
Drive to Saint-Malo to end the day.
- Stay in Saint-Malo at: Hotel des Abers (€€) Apartment Le 1725 (€€€)
- Or Nearby at: Novotel Thalassa Dinard (€€) Castelbrac (€€€)
Read More: The Genuine Mont Saint Michel Travel Guide & The Genuine 2-day Saint Malo Travel Guide
Day 5
Start the day by strolling in the old medieval town, visit the Saint-Malo Cathedral and Walk on the ramparts.
In the afternoon visit the Fort National and Fort du petit Bé.
- Stay in Saint-Malo at: Hotel des Abers (€€) Apartment Le 1725 (€€€)
- Or Nearby at: Novotel Thalassa Dinard (€€) Castelbrac (€€€)
Read More: The Genuine 2-day Saint Malo Travel Guide
Day 6
Stroll a bit more in the city of Saint-Malo, discover its History Museum of the city. Take your car for a lunch in Cancale where the must to try are Oyster and seafood.
Drive back and end your day in Dinard and walk along the coast.
- Stay in Saint-Malo at: Hotel des Abers (€€) Apartment Le 1725 (€€€)
- Or Nearby at: Novotel Thalassa Dinard (€€) Castelbrac (€€€)
Read More: The Genuine 2-day Saint Malo Travel Guide
Day 7
Drive to Quimper. Walk along the Odet and then head to the old city. Visit the Art Museum and the Cathedral Saint Corentin.
Then explore the Retirement garden and end your day with a crepes in Place au Beurre.
- Stay at: L’orangerie de Lanniron (€) Hotel et Spa Ginkgo (€€) Le Banellou (€€€)
Read More: The Genuine 1-day Quimper Travel Guide
Day 8
Drive to Lorient where you will visit the Keroman Submarine Base (biggest Nazi base in the Atlantic). Visit the K3 Block and then the K2 Block and the Fiore Submarine. A cold war submarines.
Then keep on driving to Quiberon, where you will be taking the ferry to Belle-ile en Mer.
- Where to Stay: Hotel Aux Tamaris (€) Chambres d’Hôtes aux Poulains (€€) Citadelle Vauban (€€€)
Read More: The Genuine Lorient La Base Travel Guide & The Genuine Belle Ile en Mer Travel Guide
Day 9
Rent a scooter, car or bike and explore all the island.
- Where to Stay: Hotel Aux Tamaris (€) Chambres d’Hôtes aux Poulains (€€) Citadelle Vauban (€€€)
Read More: The Genuine Belle Ile en Mer Travel Guide
Day 10
Leave with the first ferry to Quiberon, and drive to Baden (Port Blanc) where you will be taking another ferry to visit Ile Aux Moines. Rent a bike and enjoy the day on a small island.
At the end of the day, take the ferry back and drive to Vannes where you will be staying overnight.
- Where to Stay: Ti Laouenek (€) Patern Moines (€) Maison de la Garenne & Spa (€€)
Read More The Genuine Ile aux Moines Travel Guide & The Genuine Vannes Travel Guide
Day 11
In the morning, visit the old city of Vannes with its ramparts, gardens, and medieval vibes.
Then head to Josselin where you will have lunch and then visit the stunning Castle.
Finish the day by driving to Vitré.
- Stay at: Le Magic Hôtel & Spa (€€) Charmant T2 au calme centre-ville (€€)
Read more: The Genuine Josselin Castle Travel Guide & The Genuine Vitré & Vitré Castle Travel Guide
Day 12
Visit the Medieval town of Vitré and discover its stunning medieval Castle. Walk along its ramparts and learn about the history of the Castle.
Then head toward Versailles, visit Versailles Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet.
- Stay at: Le Petit Nailly (€) Les Carrés (€€) Le Louis Versailles Château – Mgallery (€€€) Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace (€€€€)
Read more: The Genuine Vitré & Vitré Castle Travel Guide & The Genuine Palace of Versailles Travel Guide
Day 13
Be the first at the palace of Versailles and start the day by visiting the Palaces. Organized a guided visited to discover more and then visit the garden and parks of the Palace of Versailles.
- Stay at: Le Petit Nailly (€) Les Carrés (€€) Le Louis Versailles Château – Mgallery (€€€) Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace (€€€€)
Day 14
Return
First feelings are always the most natural. Louis XIV
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