Normandie, Mon Amour

Last autumn, we made the spontaneous decision to embark on a road trip to Normandy. While C had always envisioned it as a once-in-a-lifetime journey, my initial idea leaned more towards a classic French getaway, picturing Provence and the beach.

We also factored in that by late September, the lavender season would be over. So, why not venture somewhere less touristy and slightly off the vacation season grid?

Our plan revolved around two main parts. First, we'd stay in a Chateau, living the French couple life—exploring picturesque villages, relaxing, and soaking in the charm. Then, we'd hit our main focus: a short half-day in Étretat and the rest dedicated to exploring the D-Day landing beaches. Of course, a quick half day in Paris would wrap up our trip before heading home.

After landing in Paris and snagging our rental car (which I confidently drove with my Italian driving license throughout the vacation), we headed straight to Chateau St. Maclou —a gem in the middle of nowhere. Think movie scenes where English and American folks buy and renovate chateaus into charming B&Bs, but the couple owning the Chateau, is a French one that speaks basic English instead.

This served as our base for exploring Étretat, a coastal town famous for its chalk cliffs, natural arches, and the pointed formation called L'Aiguille or the Needle. The highlight? A visit to Le Jardin Du Étretat, a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting incredible landscape art and land art sculptures—a drive well worth it.

Another well worth stop in the area is the village of Honfleur, nestled halfway between our castle haven and Étretat, was as cute as you'd imagine a small French village to be. Charming, with little French cafés and seafood restaurants by the sea or in the narrow streets. Perfect for an apéritif and indulging in mussels and fresh shellfish. The atmosphere at sunset? Pure magic—we went back twice to savor the experience fully.

Not too distant from our Chateau, we explored the coastal areas near Trouville sur Mer and Deauville. These charming villages feature Sunday markets and numerous French bistros offering delicious fresh seafood.

While en route to our next destination, we unexpectedly stumbled upon the delightful town of Beaumont-en-Auge. Here, we encountered a vintage car parade, making it a dream come true for classic car enthusiasts. This hidden gem in the region is highly recommended for a visit.

Now, onto the second part of our trip, where we truly left a piece of our hearts. Our base was Les Chambres de l'Abbaye—an old monastery in the city Caen turned into a cozy guest house. It felt like a leap into the past, with perfect décor and proximity to everything. We loved being close to the cathedral and the many bistros—ideal for leisurely lunches and spritz.

Caen is a city that surprised us, very local, full of students and rich in history. We did wonder around the city the day before starting our trip to the landing beaches, and we even found one of the best pizza places ever - yes, we were a bit tired of french food. If you pass by Caen, go to Pizzeria Canaglia, you will love it. And try the cocktails, are done to perfection.

Using this as our base, we explored Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town in Cotentin liberated by American paratroopers. We delved into the story of John Steele, the famous parachutist hanging from a church tower, playing dead, and eventually rejoining the Allies after a daring escape.

From there, we visited the D-Day landing beaches and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial—a touching experience amidst the graves of 9,387 fallen soldiers overlooking Omaha Beach. A visit that leaves a lasting impact and one everyone should undertake at least once in their lifetime.

Last but not least, Mont Saint-Michel. While it wasn't my first time, it was C's inaugural visit. Truly incredible, but also a tad overcrowded. Our on-site hotel wasn't the best, but sacrifices had to be made to explore without the daytime crowds. Despite the crazy winds, it remained charming and picture-perfect.

And with that, our Normandy adventure concluded. We spent our last night in Paris before catching our flight back to Dubai. Of course, we couldn't resist spending half a day exploring the City of Lights once more. Ah, Paris—forever in my heart. Maybe not so much the French, but the city itself will always beckon me back.

Here is our map