Normandy is a land of half-timbered towns, orchard-lined lanes, and a coastline forever etched into modern history. From the medieval spires of Bayeux to the American Cemetery above Omaha Beach and the gravity-defying abbey of Mont Saint‑Michel, the region blends memory, art, and maritime beauty.

For four days, base yourself in Bayeux—Normandy’s best springboard. You’ll walk cobbled streets spared in WWII, gaze at the 11th‑century Bayeux Tapestry, and explore the D‑Day beaches with a specialist guide. Then, trade battlefields for tides as you wander Mont Saint‑Michel’s ramparts and spiral up to its Gothic abbey.

Come hungry: Normandy is France’s dairy heartland—think Camembert, Isigny butter, and velvety cream—and home to crisp ciders and Calvados apple brandy. Book dinners ahead (many restaurants close Sun/Mon or midweek), pack layers for changeable coastal weather, and mind Mont Saint‑Michel tide times.

Bayeux

Bayeux is a rare survivor: a medieval city left largely intact after 1944. Its skyline is crowned by Notre‑Dame Cathedral, while the world‑famous Bayeux Tapestry unfurls a wickedly detailed chronicle of the Norman Conquest.

It’s also the calm, pretty hub you want for the D‑Day American sector—Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetery are under an hour away, and Arromanches lies just over the hill.

• Top sights: Bayeux Tapestry Museum, Notre‑Dame Cathedral, Old Mill quarter on the Aure, nearby Arromanches and Longues‑sur‑Mer gun battery.
• Flavor file: galettes (buckwheat crêpes), mussels when in season, cheese platters, apple tarts, farmhouse ciders, and Calvados.
• Stay here: Walkable lanes, easy station access, and great tours that depart right from the old town.

Getting to Bayeux

• Fly to Paris (CDG/ORY): From outside Europe, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times from the U.S. East Coast are 7–8 hours; West Coast 10–11 hours.
• Train Paris → Bayeux (2h10–2h25): Intercités from Paris Saint‑Lazare to Bayeux. Advance fares often €22–€45 one way. Check times and book with Omio trains. From CDG, allow ~3–3.5 hours total including RER/metro transfer to Saint‑Lazare.
• Driving: Paris to Bayeux is ~2h45 via A13 (tolls). A car is handy for the coast, but not essential if you’re joining guided tours.

Where to stay (affiliate options)

• Hotel Le Bayeux (midrange, steps from the cathedral): Cozy base with parking and easy tour pick‑ups. Book on Hotels.com
• Ibis Budget Bayeux (value): Clean, reliable, and good for drivers. Book on Hotels.com
• Château La Chenevière (boutique country estate, near Port‑en‑Bessin): For manicured grounds and fine dining between Bayeux and Omaha. Book on Hotels.com
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Bayeux | VRBO: Bayeux

Curated tours (Viator picks)

• Normandy American D‑Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux: Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, American Cemetery, and Arromanches with a historian‑guide (full day; from about $130–$150). See details

  

• Mont Saint‑Michel Day Trip from Bayeux (Shared): Round‑trip transport plus time on the island; ideal if you prefer not to drive (full day; from about $120–$150). See details

  

• 2‑Hour Guided Tour of Mont Saint‑Michel (Abbey ticket included): If you go independently, add an expert‑led walk through the lanes and abbey (2 hours). See details

  

• Private Sidecar Tour on the D‑Day Beaches (2–7 hours): A memorable, wind‑in‑your‑helmet ride between batteries, beaches, and clifftops. See details

  

Day 1: Arrival in Bayeux, Cathedral Quarter, and Norman Comforts

Morning: Travel to Bayeux. If you’re flying into Paris, check fares on Omio flights within Europe, or use Trip.com/Kiwi.com from overseas. From Paris Saint‑Lazare, ride the ~2h15 train to Bayeux with Omio trains. Drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs in the old town. Step into Notre‑Dame Cathedral, then head to the Bayeux Tapestry—the 70‑meter embroidery that narrates 1066’s Norman Conquest with wit and astonishing detail. Stroll the riverside path along the Aure by the old mill.

Evening: Welcome dinner at Le Pommier for Norman staples—baked Camembert, cider‑braised pork, apple tart—or book L’Angle Saint‑Laurent for a market‑driven menu and thoughtful wine pairings. Nightcap at Le Volet qui Penche, a convivial wine bar for Calvados tasting and charcuterie.

Day 2: The American D‑Day Beaches, from Omaha to Pointe du Hoc

Join a full‑day historian‑led excursion that connects strategy, sacrifice, and landscapes now peaceful but once fought over. Expect 8–9 hours visiting Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville‑sur‑Mer, and Arromanches with its Mulberry Harbor remains.

Book: Normandy American D‑Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux.

Lunch: Many tours pause in Arromanches; order a bowl of moules‑frites or a galette and sip crisp brut cider. If it’s a quick stop, pick up jambon‑beurre and pastries from a local boulangerie before departure.

Evening: Back in Bayeux, toast the day with a Calvados‑based cocktail. For dinner, reserve La Rapière (intimate stone‑walled dining; seasonal tasting menus) or head casual with crêpes and galettes at Le Moulin de la Galette by the river.

Day 3: Mont Saint‑Michel—Abbey in the Tides

Morning: Depart Bayeux for a full‑day visit to Mont Saint‑Michel (about 1h30–1h45 by road). The island village rises like a vision: winding lanes, stout ramparts, and an abbey suspended between sea and sky. Time your walk for the dramatic tides if possible.

Book: Mont Saint‑Michel Day Trip from Bayeux (Shared).

Optional upgrade if traveling independently: add a guide on the mount with this 2‑hour tour (abbey ticket included) for stories of monks, pilgrims, and siegecraft.

Lunch: Try the famous (and theatrical) omelette at La Mère Poulard, or duck into a crêperie just off the main lane for buckwheat galettes with country ham and salted‑caramel crêpes.

Evening: Return to Bayeux. Dinner at Le Volet qui Penche for small plates and a flight of Norman ciders, or a relaxed bistro meal at Le Pommier if you didn’t make it on Day 1.

Day 4: Arromanches, Longues‑sur‑Mer, and Farewell

Morning: Start with coffee and croissants at Le Garde‑Manger near the cathedral. Drive 15–20 minutes to Arromanches‑les‑Bains for its seafront and the Mulberry Harbor remains; pop into the 360° cinema for an immersive D‑Day overview. Continue 10 minutes to the Longues‑sur‑Mer battery, one of the few sites with intact German guns.

Alternative: Stay local and book a photogenic ride on a vintage sidecar through the coastal sector—perfect for repeat visitors who want a fresh angle: Private Sidecar Tour on the D‑Day Beaches.

Lunch: If you linger by the water, head to nearby Port‑en‑Bessin for oysters or a seafood platter at a traditional brasserie, paired with brut cider. Back in Bayeux, a final galette and bowl of cider make a fitting send‑off.

Afternoon departure: Return to Bayeux station for the ~2h15 train to Paris via Omio trains. If you’re flying beyond Europe, compare CDG fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Build in buffer time in case of weather or rail delays.

Good to know

• Seasonality: June–September is busiest; April–May and September–October bring mild weather and fewer crowds.
• Dining: Many restaurants close Sunday evening/Monday; reserve dinners, especially La Rapière and L’Angle Saint‑Laurent.
• Mont tides: Check tide tables; high tide occasionally turns the mount fully insular, and low tide exposes vast sands (guides recommended if walking the bay).

Four days in Normandy is just enough to feel the sweep of history and the ease of the countryside. From the solemn cliffs of Omaha to the soaring abbey at Mont Saint‑Michel and Bayeux’s medieval calm, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding—and a taste for cider and butter that lingers.