Looking to make plans in Normandy and/ Brittney, first 2 weeks in Sept. Coastal views look amazing.
Looks like Etretat, Honfleur, Mont St. Michel are incredible in photos but could be massively touristy.
Mainly interested in views, hikes and architecture, good food but also fun for our daughter.
Might there be pretty coastal towns? We love an interesting accommodation, but not too formal.
We have 6 nights with her…where is best to base? One or two places.
My husband will drive part or all.
The second week, our daughter returns home and we visit Paris again maybe 3 nights and 3 nights elsewhere or stay there with day trips.
THANK YOU!
Looks like Etretat, Honfleur, Mont St. Michel are incredible in photos but could be massively touristy.
Mainly interested in views, hikes and architecture, good food but also fun for our daughter.
Might there be pretty coastal towns? We love an interesting accommodation, but not too formal.
We have 6 nights with her…where is best to base? One or two places.
My husband will drive part or all.
The second week, our daughter returns home and we visit Paris again maybe 3 nights and 3 nights elsewhere or stay there with day trips.
THANK YOU!
A couple of years ago, we spent the night in Honfleur. I had first visited the town about 30 (!) years ago with my mom, so visiting there was nostalgic for me (me and my spouse even ended up spending the night at the same hotel). Especially in the evening, I didn't think it was too touristy, and it was gorgeous, and pretty quiet in the evening.
On that same trip with my mom, we spent one night on Mont St. Michel. This was back when it was an actual island at high tide, and it was very touristy back then, though a special place to spend the night. The thing is, it's so beautiful (and has so much history) that it's hard to skip it, even if you're there with thousands of other people.
We didn't do any hiking or visit Etretat, so can't help you there.
The only place in Brittany, of those that you mentioned, is Mont St. Michel, and that's on the border of Normandy. Do you want to go more into Brittany? If so, given the time you have, look at Dinan. Or, if you want to stay on the coast, Saint-Malo. On a separate trip than when we visited Honfleur, we stayed in Dinan for three days with our then-college-aged daughter, and felt that was a good base for the area. We were more interested in the culture, generally, of the area than the coast, though.
On that same trip with my mom, we spent one night on Mont St. Michel. This was back when it was an actual island at high tide, and it was very touristy back then, though a special place to spend the night. The thing is, it's so beautiful (and has so much history) that it's hard to skip it, even if you're there with thousands of other people.
We didn't do any hiking or visit Etretat, so can't help you there.
The only place in Brittany, of those that you mentioned, is Mont St. Michel, and that's on the border of Normandy. Do you want to go more into Brittany? If so, given the time you have, look at Dinan. Or, if you want to stay on the coast, Saint-Malo. On a separate trip than when we visited Honfleur, we stayed in Dinan for three days with our then-college-aged daughter, and felt that was a good base for the area. We were more interested in the culture, generally, of the area than the coast, though.
I agree with Lexma90 that Honfleur and Mont St. Michel can be worth visiting, despite the crowds.
I loved Dinan; I was not enamored with Saint-Malo (though many Fodorites are).
If you go into Brittany, consider visiting some of the Parish Closes -- they are amazing! Or the standing stones of Carnac. The Pink Granite Coast is stunning, and the Hotel des Rochers in Ploumanac'h still gets excellent reviews. The wood-paneled buildings of Rennes are well worth seeing, IMO, as are other sites in that city.
FWIW, the Michelin Green provides excellent coverage of these areas.
I loved Dinan; I was not enamored with Saint-Malo (though many Fodorites are).
If you go into Brittany, consider visiting some of the Parish Closes -- they are amazing! Or the standing stones of Carnac. The Pink Granite Coast is stunning, and the Hotel des Rochers in Ploumanac'h still gets excellent reviews. The wood-paneled buildings of Rennes are well worth seeing, IMO, as are other sites in that city.
FWIW, the Michelin Green provides excellent coverage of these areas.
September is a fantastic choice - the light is stunning and the heavy summer crowds are starting to fade. If you want to balance those iconic views with a more authentic feel, I’d suggest splitting your 6 nights between Saint-Malo and Perros-Guirec.
Saint-Malo is a great first base. Even if it’s popular, staying within the old granite walls is a unique experience. It’s perfect for your daughter too, as the beaches right outside the ramparts are huge at low tide. From there, you can easily sneak over to Mont St. Michel for a morning trip before retreating back to the coast.
For your second base, Perros-Guirec and the 'Pink Granite Coast' will give you that wild, rugged scenery you’re looking for. The hikes along the coast (Sentier des Douaniers) are breathtaking with those giant pink rock formations. If you have time, definitely take a boat to Île de Bréhat - it’s a car-free island that feels like a world of its own - or check out the Sillon de Talbert, which is a very cool, narrow strip of land stretching out into the ocean.
On the food side, keep it simple and local: find a good crêperie for some proper savory galettes and sweet crêpes. Paired with a bowl of local cider, it’s the ultimate Brittany experience and usually a hit with the whole family.
For places to stay, look for a "Manoir" or a coastal guesthouse; you’ll get that beautiful architecture and a warm welcome without the formality of a big hotel.
Saint-Malo is a great first base. Even if it’s popular, staying within the old granite walls is a unique experience. It’s perfect for your daughter too, as the beaches right outside the ramparts are huge at low tide. From there, you can easily sneak over to Mont St. Michel for a morning trip before retreating back to the coast.
For your second base, Perros-Guirec and the 'Pink Granite Coast' will give you that wild, rugged scenery you’re looking for. The hikes along the coast (Sentier des Douaniers) are breathtaking with those giant pink rock formations. If you have time, definitely take a boat to Île de Bréhat - it’s a car-free island that feels like a world of its own - or check out the Sillon de Talbert, which is a very cool, narrow strip of land stretching out into the ocean.
On the food side, keep it simple and local: find a good crêperie for some proper savory galettes and sweet crêpes. Paired with a bowl of local cider, it’s the ultimate Brittany experience and usually a hit with the whole family.
For places to stay, look for a "Manoir" or a coastal guesthouse; you’ll get that beautiful architecture and a warm welcome without the formality of a big hotel.
Can I say that Perros-Guirec can be a total zoo. Been there in early May and in September and it gets packed, as do the paths and roads.
Etretat is over touristed and parking is a nightmare even in September. Plenty of other places along the Alabaster coast.
Does it have to be coastal? What about inland? With only a week you can't do much more than very shallowly scratch the surface of either.
Will you have a car? What about cycling?
Etretat is over touristed and parking is a nightmare even in September. Plenty of other places along the Alabaster coast.
Does it have to be coastal? What about inland? With only a week you can't do much more than very shallowly scratch the surface of either.
Will you have a car? What about cycling?
Check your opening times and days, the French will have stuff open on a Sunday but closed on a Monday etc. Do you like real castles, if you do they also exist. Travling east west is slow away from the main roads. Plan well and you will be fine.
My highlights of Normandy would include:
The ruins of the Jumieges Abbey and/or the ruins of Chateau Gaillard at Les Andelys,
Etretat, especially if you can go for a short hike at the base of the cliffs. This can be done at low tide before the water comes rushing in.
The village of Beuvron en Auge, which is as pretty a village as could be.
Honfleur.
In Brittany I adore,as suggested upthread by kja , Les Enclos Paroissial (The Parish Enclosuers), unique architectural ensembles in a micro-region of about 30 villages, and also the prehistoric site of Cairn de Gavrinis which is on an island in the Gulf of Morbihan. You need to reserve a spot on the short boat ride to get there as well as the site itself.
Brittany and Normandy together is a huge area. I wouldn't try to stretch visiting both in the same week.
The ruins of the Jumieges Abbey and/or the ruins of Chateau Gaillard at Les Andelys,
Etretat, especially if you can go for a short hike at the base of the cliffs. This can be done at low tide before the water comes rushing in.
The village of Beuvron en Auge, which is as pretty a village as could be.
Honfleur.
In Brittany I adore,as suggested upthread by kja , Les Enclos Paroissial (The Parish Enclosuers), unique architectural ensembles in a micro-region of about 30 villages, and also the prehistoric site of Cairn de Gavrinis which is on an island in the Gulf of Morbihan. You need to reserve a spot on the short boat ride to get there as well as the site itself.
Brittany and Normandy together is a huge area. I wouldn't try to stretch visiting both in the same week.
After some research, I’m getting concerned about the crowds.
My husband and I have more time than daughter, up to 21/2 weeks.
We could potentially go a week before meeting our daughter, then collecting her somewhere, at a train station(she traveling from London, and she has no interest in WWII sites, I didn’t either at that age.
We are quite happy with amazing views, authentic atmosphere, a bit off the beaten path.
We have been to western, and southern and Northern sides of France, but all just briefly.
We will have a car, so perhaps getting an early start will help at a few notable locations.
My husband and I have more time than daughter, up to 21/2 weeks.
We could potentially go a week before meeting our daughter, then collecting her somewhere, at a train station(she traveling from London, and she has no interest in WWII sites, I didn’t either at that age.
We are quite happy with amazing views, authentic atmosphere, a bit off the beaten path.
We have been to western, and southern and Northern sides of France, but all just briefly.
We will have a car, so perhaps getting an early start will help at a few notable locations.
OP BAH,
If watching a period piece to stoke your interest might be in order, then je propose seeing the recent mIni-series called something like 'All the Light You Can't See'. It is based in wartime St. Malo and is a triumph on every level.
I am done. The end
If watching a period piece to stoke your interest might be in order, then je propose seeing the recent mIni-series called something like 'All the Light You Can't See'. It is based in wartime St. Malo and is a triumph on every level.
I am done. The end
Getting to places first thing in the morning is key to having moments of quiet and serenity before anyone else arrives.
Getting off the beaten path is always a great way to experience traveling I always include places like that in my itinerary.
Getting off the beaten path is always a great way to experience traveling I always include places like that in my itinerary.
If you become more interested in Brittany, you might want to read my trip report. It does date pre-covid, so don't rely on details.
The Peabody Papers 2019, Paris and Brittany, Unmapped
The Peabody Papers 2019, Paris and Brittany, Unmapped
I highly recommend a stop to visit the Castle of Fougères. It is one of the finest in the region. If I remember correctly there's a pretty good creperie near the entrance.
Most recent itinerary
We arrive in Paris
Drive to Ginervy area. Stay 2 nts
Drive to Normandy area. Stay 3–4 nts
Collect daughter at Rennes train station, assuming she can train directly from CDG.
Stay in Brittany area, hopefully coastal. Stay 5 nts
Train to Paris from Rennes
Paris. (She stays 1 nt ). Stay 4-5 nts
Certainly will head all the above recommendations for incredible visits.
MANY Thanks
We arrive in Paris
Drive to Ginervy area. Stay 2 nts
Drive to Normandy area. Stay 3–4 nts
Collect daughter at Rennes train station, assuming she can train directly from CDG.
Stay in Brittany area, hopefully coastal. Stay 5 nts
Train to Paris from Rennes
Paris. (She stays 1 nt ). Stay 4-5 nts
Certainly will head all the above recommendations for incredible visits.
MANY Thanks
