Planning Your Trip to Normandy, France

How to Get to Normandy

From the UK

For travellers coming from the UK, the easiest way to reach Normandy is by ferry or car via the Channel ports. Several routes connect directly to Normandy, with others arriving in northern France for an easy onward drive.

Main ferry routes to Normandy:

• Portsmouth – Caen (Ouistreham): Operated by Brittany Ferries, this is the most popular route for visiting the D-Day beaches. The crossing takes around six hours, or slightly longer for a night sailing, which when combined with a cabin offers the opportunity to rest before arriving in France early the next morning.
• Portsmouth – Cherbourg: Slightly longer at around 8–9 hours, ideal if you’re heading towards Utah Beach or Sainte-Mère-Église.
• Newhaven – Dieppe: Operated by DFDS, about 4 hours and often one of the most affordable crossings.
• Poole – Cherbourg: Seasonal route, useful for those travelling from southern England.
• Dover – Calais: The quickest, cheapest and most frequent crossing, though Calais is outside Normandy. It’s around a 4–5 hour drive to Caen from there.

Brittany Ferries and DFDS Seaways both run short-break promotions that offer substantial discounts on trips of up to three or five days. Brittany Ferries’ deals are ideal for routes such as Portsmouth–Caen and Portsmouth–Le Havre, while DFDS promotions make the Newhaven–Dieppe crossing particularly good value for shorter stays or long weekends in Normandy.

• View Brittany Ferries Promotions
• View DFDS Seaways Promotions

Many travellers also drive through the Channel Tunnel to Calais and continue via the A16 and A28 motorways, which are well signposted and take you through scenic countryside into Normandy.

Tip: If you’re planning to visit multiple D-Day sites, bringing your car is a major advantage. Distances between beaches can be longer than expected, and public transport is limited outside the main towns.

From Paris (and Abroad)

For international visitors arriving by air, Paris is the main gateway to Normandy. The region is well connected by both train and motorway.

By train:
Trains depart from Paris Saint-Lazare station to key Normandy cities including Caen, Bayeux, and Cherbourg.

• Paris → Caen: around 2 hours
• Paris → Bayeux: around 2 hours 15 minutes
• Paris → Cherbourg: around 3 hours 30 minutes

Tickets can be booked through SNCF Connect.

By car:
Driving from Paris to Normandy is straightforward. The A13 motorway runs west towards Caen and the coast, with tolls totalling roughly €15–20 each way. The journey to Caen takes around 2½ hours, depending on traffic. If you’re hiring a car, pickup options at Paris airports or in the city centre are plentiful.

Getting Around Normandy

The best way to explore Normandy is by car. Many of the D-Day sites, museums, and smaller memorials are spread across the countryside, often far from railway stations or bus routes. Having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and visit places that are difficult to reach otherwise.

If you’re arriving by ferry, driving your own car from the UK is often the most convenient option. For those arriving from Paris or by train, car hire is widely available in towns such as Caen, Bayeux, and Cherbourg, as well as at regional airports. Booking in advance usually gives you a better rate and guarantees availability, especially around June when D-Day anniversary events attract large numbers of visitors.

Tip: Roads in Normandy are generally quiet and easy to navigate. Most rural roads are well signposted, and parking is usually free or inexpensive outside the main cities.

Public Transport

Normandy has a reliable rail network connecting major towns like Caen, Bayeux, Carentan, and Cherbourg, but it does not extend to many of the beaches or rural museums. Local buses link some destinations, but services are often limited, especially at weekends.

If you prefer not to drive, the best base for using public transport is Bayeux. It has a central railway station, a good selection of hotels, and several organised tours that visit the D-Day beaches.

Organised Tours

For visitors without a car, guided day tours are available from Bayeux, Caen, and even from Paris. These tours usually focus on specific areas such as Omaha and Utah Beaches, often led by knowledgeable local guides. While they can’t match the flexibility of self-driving, they’re a good option if you’re short on time or prefer not to drive abroad.

Cycling and Walking

Normandy is also popular with cyclists. The region has several long-distance cycle routes, and many D-Day sites are connected by quieter backroads that are ideal for experienced riders. For shorter visits, consider walking routes around Bayeux, Arromanches, or Sainte-Mère-Église, where several historic sites are close together.

Accommodation and Where to Base Yourself

Choosing the right base in Normandy makes a big difference, especially if your main focus is visiting the D-Day beaches and related historical sites. The region covers a large area, and the key locations are spread along more than 80 kilometres of coastline. Staying somewhere central can save a lot of driving time each day.

Bayeux

Best all-round base for first-time visitors
Bayeux is one of the most convenient towns to stay in. It’s close to Omaha and Gold Beaches, has good train connections to Paris and Caen, and offers a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants. The town itself survived the fighting largely intact, and its cathedral and tapestry museum are worth visiting.

Bayeux can be more expensive than some of the surrounding area, especially during the summer months, but there are good-value options just outside the centre such as Ibis Budget Bayeux, which is only a short drive from the town.

Why stay here: Central location, historic atmosphere, good facilities, walking distance to the Battle of Normandy Museum, and convenient access to the main D-Day beaches.

Caen and Hérouville-Saint-Clair

Good transport links, museums, and access to the British sector
Caen is Normandy’s largest city and a good option if you prefer more amenities or are arriving by train. It offers a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, and services, as well as excellent road connections to the rest of Normandy. The Mémorial de Caen Museum is one of France’s most comprehensive war museums, covering the D-Day landings, the Battle of Normandy, and the Cold War period.

Just to the north of the city, Hérouville-Saint-Clair can be an ideal base for exploring the British landing beaches, including Sword and Juno. It offers budget-friendly accommodation options, convenient access to the Caen ring road, and is only a short drive from Pegasus Bridge and the coast. The nearby Carrefour supermarket makes it easy to stock up on fuel and supplies before setting out each day.

Why stay here: Excellent transport links, wide accommodation choice, close to Pegasus Bridge and Sword Beach, and convenient for exploring the British sector.

Arromanches & Port-en-Bessin

For easy access to the central D-Day beaches These coastal towns sit between Gold and Omaha Beaches and are ideal if you want to stay close to the coast. Arromanches-les-Bains is a compact seaside town built around the remains of the Mulberry Harbour, with several small hotels and B&Bs overlooking the beach. It’s within walking distance of the D-Day Museum and a short drive from the German gun battery at Longues-sur-Mer.

A few kilometres west, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain is a small working harbour known for its seafood restaurants and relaxed atmosphere. It offers a wider range of dining and accommodation options, including self-catering apartments and mid-range hotels. Parking in both towns is straightforward outside of peak summer weekends, though spaces in Arromanches fill quickly on busy days.

Both locations are within a 15-minute drive of Bayeux, making them good choices for travellers who prefer to stay by the sea but still want easy access to larger services and train connections.

Why stay here: Central to the main landing beaches, good balance between coastal scenery and proximity to Bayeux, and convenient for visiting Gold, Omaha, and nearby museums.

Sainte-Mère-Église & Carentan

Best for exploring the western beaches and Airborne sector
Located in the Cotentin Peninsula, Sainte-Mère-Église and Carentan are excellent bases for visiting the Utah Beach area and exploring the Airborne drop zones of June 1944. Sainte-Mère-Église is one of the most recognisable towns in Normandy, made famous by the story of paratrooper John Steele and the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. The area remains a focal point for D-Day commemorations, with events held each June across the surrounding countryside and villages.

Carentan, about 15 minutes to the south, offers more accommodation and dining options while remaining close to the main historical sites. It has a pleasant town centre, several supermarkets, and easy access to the N13, which links directly to Bayeux and Caen. The Carentan railway station also provides train connections to Paris and Cherbourg, making it a practical choice for those travelling without a car.

The surrounding countryside is filled with small memorials, preserved bunkers, and historic bridges such as La Fière and Brévands, which are within a short drive of both towns.

Why stay here: Close to Utah Beach and the Airborne drop zones, quieter rural setting, good for self-drive visitors, and well placed for exploring the western D-Day sector.

Driving in France

Driving in France is straightforward and often the best way to explore Normandy, especially if you want to visit several D-Day sites spread across the region. Roads are generally well maintained, traffic is light outside the main cities, and the scenery makes for enjoyable driving.

Documents and Essentials

If you’re bringing your own vehicle from the UK, make sure you carry:

• A full UK driving licence
• Vehicle insurance certificate (check that your policy covers driving in Europe)
• V5C logbook or proof of vehicle ownership
• Reflective vests, a warning triangle, and headlight beam deflectors
• GB or UK identifier on the rear of your vehicle

Most major French motorways (autoroutes) are toll roads. If you’re driving from Calais, Paris, or Cherbourg, expect to pay around €15–20 each way in tolls to reach Caen. Payment is by card or cash, and contactless works at most toll booths.

Travelling around Normandy itself, you won’t find toll roads near the main D-Day beach areas, but there are some toll sections leading into the region, such as the A14 between Paris and Caen. It’s worth factoring these into your journey time and budget, especially if you’re arriving from outside Normandy.

Speed Limits and Rules

• 130 km/h (80 mph) on motorways (reduced to 110 km/h in rain)
• 110 km/h (68 mph) on dual carriageways
• 80 km/h (50 mph) on single carriageways
• 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas

Speed cameras are common and fines can be enforced across borders. It’s also illegal to use radar detection devices, including apps that warn about speed traps.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers, and using a mobile phone while driving (even hands-free) is strictly limited — only fully integrated car systems are permitted.

Fuel and Parking

Unleaded petrol and diesel are widely available, with Carrefour, Leclerc, and Intermarché supermarkets often offering the lowest prices. Many stations accept card payments 24/7, but it’s best to keep some cash as a backup.

Parking is usually easy in smaller towns and near most historical sites, with many areas offering free parking. During peak periods such as early June, when D-Day commemorations take place, parking can be challenging in popular locations like Arromanches and Sainte-Mère-Église, but additional car parks are often set up within a short walking distance of the town centres.

Alcohol Limits and Safety

The legal blood alcohol limit in France is 0.05%, lower than the UK. It’s safest to avoid alcohol entirely if you plan to drive. Drivers are also advised to carry a breathalyser, though the fine for not doing so has been removed.

Practical Travel Tips

Documents and Entry Requirements

Visitors from the UK and EU don’t need a visa for short stays in France. You’ll need a valid passport (with at least three months remaining beyond your planned departure date) and, if driving, your UK driving licence and vehicle paperwork.
It’s worth carrying travel insurance that includes medical cover and car hire protection if you’re renting a vehicle.

If you’re travelling with your own car, also bring your vehicle logbook (V5C),insurance certificate, and breakdown cover documents.

UK travellers should check the latest entry requirements before departure, as changes are expected in the near future. See the official guidance on the UK Government website.

Tip: Keep printed copies of important documents as mobile data or email access may not always be available in rural areas.

Health Insurance

UK residents should carry a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) or EHIC, which entitles you to state-provided healthcare in France. However, these cards don’t cover private medical care or repatriation, so a comprehensive travel insurance policy is still essential.

Pharmacies in France are common and easy to find, even in smaller towns. They can offer basic medical advice and over-the-counter medication if needed.

Phones and Data

Mobile coverage in Normandy is generally good, though some rural areas may have limited signal.

UK visitors: Check with your provider before travelling, as roaming charges may now apply. Many UK networks include France in their EU roaming zones, but data limits can vary.

Non-EU visitors: Consider using an eSIM or local prepaid SIM from providers like Orange or SFR for better rates and coverage.

Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and larger cafés, but don’t rely on it in smaller villages or outdoor museums.

When to Visit and Avoid the Crowds

Normandy is worth visiting at any time of year, but the experience can vary greatly depending on the season and your interests. The weather is mild for most of the year, with temperatures rarely extreme, but timing your trip can make a big difference to how busy the sites feel.

The first week of June marks the D-Day anniversary, with large-scale commemorations, parades, and historical reenactments held across the region. It’s an incredible time to visit but also the busiest, so book accommodation well in advance if you plan to travel during this period.

Tip: If you’re visiting in early June, allow extra travel time between sites. Roads around Arromanches, Sainte-Mère-Église, and Omaha Beach can become congested on key dates.

July and August bring warm weather and long daylight hours, ideal for photography and exploring outdoors. However, this is also the main French holiday season, and coastal towns can be crowded, especially on weekends. Prices for accommodation and ferries are at their highest.

Autumn is a quieter and very pleasant time to explore Normandy. Temperatures remain mild, and the light in early autumn is excellent for photography. Most attractions stay open until late October, and you’ll find fewer tour groups on the roads and beaches.

Winter in Normandy is cool and damp, with many smaller coastal hotels and restaurants closing for the season. However, the main museums in Caen, Bayeux, and Sainte-Mère-Église remain open, and this is the quietest time to explore major sites without crowds.

If you enjoy a more reflective visit and don’t mind cooler weather, winter can be surprisingly rewarding.

Phil – founder of Normandy War Guide
I started the site more than a decade ago after my first trip to Normandy and have been hooked ever since. I visit a few times each year to explore new sites and update the guide. Over the years I’ve also transcribed thousands of WWII war diaries and scanned original maps to keep this history accessible for everyone.