France North Coast road trip itinerary - As recommended by the locals!
6 days road trip in the enchanting Normandy and BrittanyOften overlooked, France’s north coast is not only a must-see, but it’s also ideal for vanlifers! With its hidden historical treasures, the wild landscapes, the stunning sunsets on the ocean… well, if you’re up for a relaxed holiday, this itinerary is for you. It took us about six days to roam along the coast: we started from Calais and explored the French North-West until Dinan. Like always, we included some hidden gems in the itinerary to admire the essence of the country entirely.Keep reading to find out our road-trip guide!
Day 1 – Amiens
From Calais, it takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach Amiens. With its canals and the majestic Gothic Cathedral, it is a must-see city and we loved spending the day there! The city is also a World Heritage destination, and its beauty cannot be missed.
Make sure to arrive
Then, take your time to walk around the city and reach the stunning Gothic Cathedral. I highly suggest you see the light show at night: everyone gathers in front of the majestic cathedral to admire a game of lights that lasts for about 20 minutes. We absolutely loved it and couldn’t take our eyes off it!
Light display times:
From June 15th to September 16th in Summer & from November 24th to December 31th in Winter.
– 10.45pm in June
– 10.30pm in July
– 10.00pm in August
– 9.45pm in September
– 7:00 pm in November & December.
Accommodations deals in Amiens:
Day 2 – Octeville Sur Mer and the bunkers
On day 2, drive for about two hours to reach the small town of Octeville Sur Mer. This area has a great natural heritage, and if you are traveling during summer, you can relax for a few hours on the beach.
The beaches here are infinite, with white sand and clear water. The beach never gets too busy, and I absolutely loved spending hours reading while accompanied by the sound of the waves.
Then, head to Benerville-Sur-Mer for a history dip. In fact, here you can find the Batteries of Mont Canisy, a free, hidden WWII site of German bunkers.
We found these bunkers while walking in the park, and we were really not expecting that. You should definitely visit them, since they are open to the public and you can explore them from the inside. It was such an interesting experience!
Accommodation deals near Benerville-Sur-Mer:
Day 3 – Etretat
Etretat had to be included in this road trip; about an hour’s drive from Benerville-Sur-Mer, it’s well worth a visit.
This famous town is known for its chalk cliffs, and the town itself is lovely. Make sure to spend a few hours to visit this charming place, also known as one of the top places to visit in Normandy and home to Lupin’s creator Maurice Leblanc.
The beautiful cliff overlooking the blue sea inspired many artists like Monet and Courbet. The best way to admire the cliffs is to walk up to the coastal path. The walk is of moderate difficulty, however, there are very few railings especially on the top, so make sure to pay particular attention to children and dogs. Once on the top, take your time to admire the picturesque Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Garde, originally built in 1854.
If you have time, don’t miss a visit to the famous and idyllic gardens, inspired by Alice in Wonderland!
You can find tickets here.
Accommodation deals in Etretat:
Day 4 – Caen
Drive for about 1 hour and a half to reach Caen; if you are a history passionate, you can’t absolutely miss a visit to this city! In fact, the city is famous for the Battle of Normandy, which took place on its beaches and completely destroyed the city in 1944.
The Memorial de Caen, dedicated to WWII, is really worth a visit. It’s one of the most interesting things we saw during all our trip. The museum is huge, so consider about 3 hours to see it all. You can find the tickets here – make sure to buy them in advance as they often run out!
We were lucky enough to visit Caen on a Sunday, and if you can, I suggest you do the same. On Sunday morning, you can find near the port the most important market in the region, and one of the biggest in France. The Marché du Dimanche Saint Pierre has over 400+ traders that sell pretty much everything!
Accommodation deals in Caen:
Day 5 – Mont Saint-Michel
On the next day, drive for about 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach the famous Mont Saint Michel.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a truly unique place, HOWEVER… If you don’t like being stuck in the crowd without being able to walk or even admire the place, consider carefully the time and period you’re visiting Mont Saint-Michel. We had a horrible experience (in April), with people falling down and being walked over as the place was so busy. We went back the following morning at 5am to admire the sunrise, and it was much better!
Despite it being one of the most touristy places I’ve ever seen, its charm is undeniable. The island offers breathtaking views over the bay, and its world-famous abbey is incredibly beautiful. Again, make sure to book your tickets in advance as there were about 5000 people queieing for the tickets when we went! You can buy the tickets with priority entrance here.
You can find free parking about 40 minutes before the bridge to the Island. Otherwise, there are paying parkings before the bridge with free shuttles that will take you straight to the abbey.
Accommodation deals in Mont Saint-Michel:
Day 6 – Dinan
On the last day, drive for about 50 minutes to reach the charming medieval city of Dinan. Considered as one of the most beautiful places in Brittany, it’s one of the places we loved the most.
Take your time to walk through the small and colourful alleys in this magical fortified French city!
Before leaving, make sure to visit Les Ramparts for a wonderful walk and admire the magnificent views of the valley.
Just a small note: if you are thinking about going out for dinner, make sure to always book in advance. The city is very touristy and the restaurants fill their seats very fast.
Accommodation deals in Dinan:
Kikka
EDITOR IN CHIEF