Walking in Normandy
The journey itself is an experience: as you sit back and relax in your seat while fields, rivers and the typical French countryside glide past.
Why go to Normandy?
The Normandy landscape ranges from cliffs and sandy beaches along the coast to green inland areas dotted with apple orchards and hedgerows.
Étretat, Honfleur and Granville are all lovely places to take a coastal walk, with their harbours and cliff paths. And, of course, there's Mont-Saint-Michel! Inland, towns such as Caen and Bayeux are surrounded by beautiful walking country.
Another walk worth mentioning is the one along the Côte des Fleurs, which takes you from the harbour of Honfleur to the beaches of Deauville. If you’re interested in history, why not visit the D-Day beaches along the Route de la Libération?
Book a walking holiday
You can alternate walks along the Normandy coast with trips inland to visit smaller villages and historic towns. With Better Places you can book a tailor-made walking holiday with the help of a local travel expert.
You can choose from a range of sample itineraries, which can be further customised to suit your travel plans. Book the train journey yourself, while Better Places arranges your accommodation, walking guides, luggage transport, and any excursions or activities.
Different destinations in Normandy
Travel with Eurostar from the Netherland to Paris, Gare du Nord. From there, take the metro to Paris Gare Saint-Lazare or Paris Montparnasse, from where regional trains depart for Normandy. The most popular destinations are listed below.
| Destination | Transfer | Travel time | Starting price* | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherbourg | Paris St Lazare | 8.10 hours | € 82 | Content |
| Le Havre | Paris St Lazare | 6.29 hours | € 58 | Content |
| Bayeux | Paris St Lazare | 7.01 hours | € 69 | Content |
| Pontorson - Mont Saint-Michel | Paris Montparnasse and Granville | 10.51 hours | € 99 | Content |
*Price and travel time form Amsterdam, one-way trip
Buying tickets
You can buy individual train tickets, and the general rule is that the earlier you book, the lower the price. Tickets for the Paris train are cheapest if booked about six months before departure. Tickets for trains within France can be booked between four to six months before departure, depending on the destination. While you can complete your journey in a single day, you can also split the trip into two parts. Spend a few days in Paris first, then travel on to the coast.
Tip: Book from the station nearest to you for the best value for money.
Alternatively, you can buy an Interrail Pass, such as the France One Country Pass, which will allow you to travel very flexibly throughout France.
Walking and cycling in Brittany
Take the train to Brittany, where you can enjoy scenic coastal walks or book a cycling tour.