Normandy Towns

Where to stay in Normandy depends on what you came to see. The eight Normandy towns below each work as a base for a different part of the region. The train times here are from Paris Saint-Lazare.

For the D-Day beaches, base yourself in Bayeux. It is about 146 minutes from Paris on a direct train. Caen is another option at about 130 minutes direct, and it is home to the Caen Memorial Museum.

For the Seine valley, look at Rouen or Giverny. Rouen is about 89 minutes direct. Giverny is about 57 minutes by direct train to Vernon-Giverny, then a shuttle bus or bike.

On the coast, Honfleur and Étretat are good bases, but neither town has a train station. Plan on a car, or read Normandy Without a Car before you book. Deauville and Trouville is about 161 minutes from Paris on a direct train.

Cruise passengers docking in the Cotentin can start from Cherbourg, which is about 200 minutes from Paris by direct train. If your ship calls at Le Havre instead, see Le Havre Cruise Port Day.