Rouen deserves several days in its own right. But if you have a little more time, Le Cotin Bleu also makes an excellent base for exploring Normandy.
Monet’s gardens, the abbeys of the Seine Valley, the cliffs of Étretat, Honfleur and the Côte Fleurie, the villages of the Pays d’Auge and the D-Day beaches can all be explored on a day trip from Rouen.
Here are 8 of our favourite day trips from Le Cotin Bleu.
Driving times are approximate from Le Cotin Bleu and may of course vary depending on traffic.
1 — GIVERNY
A day in Claude Monet’s world
Approx. 1 hour from Le Cotin Bleu
Suggested day: 9 am → 6 pm
Probably the most obvious day trip from Rouen — and for good reason.
After seeing the cathedral that Claude Monet painted again and again, discover the house where he lived for more than forty years, his gardens and the famous water-lily pond.
9:00 am — Leave Le Cotin Bleu
We recommend leaving around 9 am to arrive for opening time.
10:00 am — Claude Monet’s House & Gardens
Start with the essential: Monet’s pink house, the Clos Normand flower garden, followed by the water garden and its famous Japanese bridge.
Allow 1½ to 2 hours for your visit. Booking online in advance is highly recommended.
84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny
Phone: +33 2 32 51 28 21
2026 season: daily from 1 April to 1 November, 10 am–6 pm; last admission at 5:30 pm.
Claude Monet’s House & Gardens — official website →
12:00 pm — Lunch in Giverny
Stay in the village. Almost everything can be reached on foot from Rue Claude-Monet.
2:00 pm — Musée des Impressionnismes
Just a few hundred metres from Monet’s house, the museum is the perfect way to continue exploring Impressionism and its legacy.
99 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny
Phone: +33 2 32 51 94 65
Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny →
4:00 pm — Explore Giverny
Don’t rush back to the car. Walk through the village to the Church of Sainte-Radegonde and the cemetery where Monet is buried.
5:00 pm — Return to Rouen
Our tip: if you love Monet, make this trip after visiting Rouen Cathedral and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The connection between Rouen and Giverny will make even more sense.
2 — JUMIÈGES & THE LOOPS OF THE SEINE
Romantic Normandy
Jumièges: approx. 35–40 min from Le Cotin Bleu
Suggested day: 9:30 am → 6 pm
A much closer excursion, and one of our favourites.
The road gradually leaves Rouen behind and follows the meanders of the Seine through villages and orchards before reaching the monumental ruins of Jumièges.
9:30 am — La Bouille
Your first stop is this little village on the banks of the Seine.
Simply take some time to walk along the river and explore its narrow streets.
11:00 am — Abbey of Saint-Georges de Boscherville
On the way to Jumièges, this Romanesque abbey and its gardens make a beautiful stop.
12:30 pm — Lunch
Have lunch somewhere along the Seine before continuing towards Jumièges.
2:30 pm — Jumièges Abbey
Two immense white towers still dominate the remains of this abbey, originally founded in the 7th century.
24 Rue Guillaume-le-Conquérant, 76480 Jumièges
Phone: +33 2 35 37 24 02
15 April–15 September: daily 9:30 am–6:30 pm.
16 September–14 April: 9:30 am–1 pm and 2:30 pm–5:30 pm.
Jumièges Abbey — official website →
4:00 pm — Route des Fruits
If the season is right, continue through the loops of the Seine and their orchards before heading home.
6:00 pm — Back to Le Cotin Bleu
Our tip: probably the best excursion if you don’t want to spend hours in the car. Yet it feels a world away from Rouen.
3 — LYONS-LA-FORÊT & THE NORMAN VEXIN
Villages, forest & Château-Gaillard
Lyons-la-Forêt: approx. 45 min
Suggested day: 9 am → 7 pm
A day in the Normandy countryside: half-timbered houses, old market halls, forest, villages and sweeping views over the Seine.
10:00 am — Lyons-la-Forêt
Listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France — France’s Most Beautiful Villages, Lyons is centred around its historic covered market and half-timbered houses.
The village is surrounded by the Forêt de Lyons, a vast beech forest covering around 11,000 hectares.
A small market is held beneath the covered market hall on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Tourist Office
25 Place Isaac-Benserade, 27480 Lyons-la-Forêt
Phone: +33 2 32 49 31 65
12:00 pm — Lunch in Lyons
Then take the road through the Vexin countryside.
2:00 pm — Les Andelys
Head down to Petit-Andely and stroll along the Seine.
3:00 pm — Château-Gaillard
High above the Seine stand the ruins of the fortress built by Richard the Lionheart.
The view over the river’s sweeping bends is worth the trip alone.
27700 Les Andelys
Tourist Office: +33 2 32 21 31 29
Access to the interior is seasonal, so check opening conditions before visiting.
5:00 pm — Petit-Andely
Head back down to the Seine and enjoy a quiet end to the afternoon before returning to Rouen.
Our tip: in spring and autumn, this is probably one of the loveliest countryside days you can enjoy from Le Cotin Bleu.
4 — ÉTRETAT & THE ALABASTER COAST
Normandy’s spectacular cliffs
Étretat: approx. 1 hr 15 min
Suggested day: 8:30 am → 7:30 pm
It is difficult to spend several days in Normandy without seeing Étretat.
Its white cliffs, famous Needle and monumental sea arches form one of the most recognisable landscapes in France.
8:30 am — Leave Rouen
Set off reasonably early: Étretat is beautiful, but it is also extremely popular.
10:00 am — Falaise d’Aval
Start by walking. It is by far the best way to experience Étretat.
Wear suitable footwear and, of course, never approach the edge of the cliffs.
12:30 pm — Lunch in the village
2:00 pm — Falaise d’Amont & Jardins d’Étretat
High above the sea, the gardens combine contemporary art, sculpted planting and extraordinary views over the English Channel.
Avenue Damilaville, 76790 Étretat
Phone: +33 2 35 27 05 76
Opening hours vary by season, so check before setting off.
4:00 pm — A little more of the Alabaster Coast
Depending on your pace, follow the coastal roads for a while rather than heading straight back.
6:00 pm — Return to Rouen
Our tip: if possible, visit on a weekday outside July and August. It makes an enormous difference.
5 — HONFLEUR & THE CÔTE FLEURIE
From Honfleur to Deauville along the coast
Honfleur: approx. 1 hour
Deauville → Rouen: approx. 1 hr 15 min
Full day: 8:30 am → 8 pm
In a single day, this itinerary reveals several very different sides of Normandy.
9:30 am — Honfleur
Start at the Vieux Bassin, with its narrow houses, the Church of Sainte-Catherine and the small streets around the harbour.
Honfleur Tourist Office
Quai Lepaulmier, 14600 Honfleur
Phone: +33 2 31 89 23 30
11:30 am — Villerville
Then follow the coast.
Villerville is much smaller and quieter: simply walk down towards the sea and wander through the village.
12:30 pm — Trouville-sur-Mer
Have lunch in Trouville, ideally around the harbour and fish market.
The traditional market takes place on Wednesday and Sunday mornings, while the fish market is open throughout the year.
3:00 pm — Deauville
Cross the River Touques.
Stroll along the famous Les Planches boardwalk, past the beach cabins bearing the names of American movie stars, then explore the town centre and its villas.
5:00 pm — Villers-sur-Mer
If you still haven’t had enough of the sea, finish the day in Villers-sur-Mer and on its long beach.
6:00 pm — Return to Rouen
Our tip: don’t try to “visit” all four towns in depth. This is a day for driving along the coast, stopping when you feel like it, walking, having lunch and looking at the sea.
6 — THE PAYS D’AUGE
Pont-l’Évêque, Calvados & Normandy villages
Pont-l’Évêque: approx. 1 hour
Suggested day: 9 am → 7 pm
Here, we leave the coast behind and enter a Normandy of apple orchards, half-timbered houses, cider, Calvados and flower-filled villages.
10:00 am — Pont-l’Évêque
Explore the historic centre before discovering one of Normandy’s most emblematic products.
11:00 am — Père Magloire Distillery
An accessible introduction to how Calvados is made and to the history of Normandy’s famous apple brandy.
Route de Trouville, 14130 Pont-l’Évêque
Phone: +33 2 31 64 30 31
1:00 pm — Lunch in the Pays d’Auge
3:00 pm — Beuvron-en-Auge
Continue to Beuvron-en-Auge, another village listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
Manor houses, half-timbered façades and the central square almost seem designed to embody the perfect image of Normandy.
4:30 pm — The Cider Route
Rather than taking the fastest way back, drive through the Pays d’Auge countryside, past its stud farms and orchards.
7:00 pm — Back to Le Cotin Bleu
Our tip: this is probably our most delicious day trip. It complements Honfleur and Deauville perfectly without feeling repetitive.
7 — SUISSE NORMANDE
A day in nature
Approx. 1 hr 45 min from Rouen
Full day: 8 am → 8 pm
After half-timbered houses and sea cliffs, discover a completely different side of Normandy.
Around Clécy and the River Orne: steep-sided valleys, rocky landscapes, hiking, cycling, kayaking and wonderful viewpoints.
8:00 am — Leave Rouen
Set off early for this one: it is one of our furthest day trips.
10:00 am — Clécy
Start in the village and along the banks of the Orne.
Suisse Normande Tourisme
2 Place Saint-Sauveur, 14220 Thury-Harcourt-le-Hom
Phone: +33 2 31 79 70 45
11:00 am — Route des Crêtes
Head up into the hills for panoramic views across the valley.
12:30 pm — Lunch
2:00 pm — Nature
Depending on your mood: hiking, cycling, kayaking or simply walking along the Orne.
4:30 pm — Roche d’Oëtre
Finish the day at one of Normandy’s great natural viewpoints.
6:00 pm — Return to Rouen
Our tip: this excursion is particularly suited to guests staying four or five nights at Le Cotin Bleu who want to devote a full day to nature.
8 — THE D-DAY BEACHES
A day of history, from Arromanches to Pointe du Hoc
Arromanches: approx. 1 hr 45 min from Rouen
Full day: leave 7:30/8 am — return around 8:30 pm
For many American, British, Canadian and European visitors, this is an essential journey.
Rather than trying to see every D-Day beach in a single day, we recommend a focused itinerary:
Arromanches → Omaha Beach → Normandy American Cemetery → Pointe du Hoc.
8:00 am — Leave Le Cotin Bleu
9:45 am — Arromanches-les-Bains
Start on the beach with the remains of the Mulberry artificial harbour.
10:00 am — D-Day Museum
Facing the remains of the artificial harbour, the museum provides an excellent introduction before continuing towards Omaha.
Place du 6 Juin 1944, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains
Phone: +33 2 31 22 34 31
Opening hours vary throughout the year. Allow approximately 1½ hours for your visit.
Arromanches D-Day Museum — opening hours & tickets →
12:00 pm — Lunch
Then continue towards Omaha Beach.
2:00 pm — Normandy American Cemetery
On the cliffs overlooking Omaha Beach, 9,389 American servicemen and women are buried in this deeply moving place facing the English Channel.
Route du Cimetière Américain, 14710 Colleville-sur-Mer
Open daily: 9 am–5 pm, except 25 December and 1 January.
Free admission.
Normandy American Cemetery — official website →
3:30 pm — Omaha Beach
Head down to the beach.
There is no need for another attraction here. Simply take some time to walk and understand the geography of the place.
5:00 pm — Pointe du Hoc
Finish the day on the cliffs stormed by US Army Rangers on 6 June 1944.
14450 Cricqueville-en-Bessin
Free admission.
Pointe du Hoc — official information →
6:00 pm — Return to Rouen
You should arrive back at Le Cotin Bleu at around 8–8:30 pm, depending on traffic.
Our tip: don’t try to add Utah Beach or Sainte-Mère-Église to this itinerary. Arromanches, Omaha, the American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc already make for an exceptionally powerful day.
Which day trip should you choose?
- For art: Giverny
- For heritage: Jumièges & the loops of the Seine
- For villages: Lyons-la-Forêt & the Norman Vexin
- For dramatic scenery: Étretat & the Alabaster Coast
- For the seaside: Honfleur & the Côte Fleurie
- For a taste of Normandy: the Pays d’Auge
- For nature: Suisse Normande
- For history: the D-Day beaches
Rouen on your doorstep. Normandy within easy reach.