Normandy in a Day Trip to Rouen and Etretat from Paris
Description
Discover the best of Normandy in a single day with this private day trip from Paris, combining culture, history, and natural beauty. Your day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Paris, followed by a comfortable drive to Rouen, one of Normandy’s most historic cities. In Rouen, join a guided group walking tour through its beautifully preserved medieval center. Marvel at the Rouen Cathedral, admire half-timbered houses, visit the Gros-Horloge, and see the place where Joan of Arc was tried and executed. Your local guide will share fascinating stories of the city’s rich past. After your tour of Rouen, continue to the breathtaking town of Étretat on the Normandy coast. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to walk along the beach, admire the famous white chalk cliffs and natural rock arches, or relax in a local café with a sea view. In the late afternoon, you’ll head back to Paris in comfort, arriving in the evening at your hotel.
Tour Options
Itinerary
7:00 AM (or 8:00 AM) — Departure from Paris • Meeting your driver at your hotel or accommodation in Paris. • Begin the trip to Rouen. • Distance: about 135 km (84 miles). • Driving time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
8:45 AM (or 9:45 AM) — Arrival in Rouen • Start of the group walking tour with a professional local guide. • Duration of the tour: 1.5 hours. • Highlights include: • Rouen Cathedral (Notre-Dame) — a magnificent Gothic cathedral that inspired Claude Monet’s series of paintings. • The Gros-Horloge — a famous astronomical clock. • The site of Joan of Arc’s trial and execution, a significant historical landmark. • Medieval half-timbered houses and narrow old streets.
10:15 AM (or 11:15 AM) — Free time in Rouen city center • Time to explore on your own, relax at a café, or visit shops. • Duration: 45 minutes.
11:00 AM (or 12:00 PM) — Departure from Rouen to Étretat • Scenic drive through the Normandy countryside. • Distance: approximately 90 km (56 miles). • Driving time: about 1 hour 30 minutes.
12:30 PM (or 1:30 PM) — Arrival in Étretat • Lunch at a local restaurant with a sea view (optional). • Duration of lunch: 1 hour.
1:30 PM (or 2:30 PM) — Free time in Étretat • Walk along the beach. • Hike up the famous chalk cliffs “Amon” or “Aval” for panoramic views. • Visit local gardens or cafés. • Total free time: about 2 hours.
3:30 PM (or 4:30 PM) — Departure from Étretat back to Paris • Return trip to the capital city. • Distance: approximately 210 km (130 miles). • Driving time: around 3 hours (depending on traffic).
6:30 PM (or 7:30 PM) — Return to Paris • Drop-off at your hotel or accommodation. • End of the tour.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup Information Travelers can specify any address or hotel within Paris, and our driver will come to pick them up. The driver will either contact the customer by phone or wait at the provided address or in the hotel lobby. We wish you a pleasant journey! Important: Bookings are confirmed only for a minimum of 2 people.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Families welcome! If you’re traveling with children, please let us know in advance — we’ll gladly provide a child safety seat to ensure a comfortable and secure ride for our youngest guests. Your safety and comfort are our priority.
Reviews(2)
I booked this tour as I really wanted to go to Rouen and unfortunately a major strike in France was scheduled on the day. It was a very expensive trip compared to what I would have spent on a train fare as it was mainly a private tour. Based on the itinerary listed on the website and the information provided when I enquired about the tour, I expected that the Rouen tour would be 1.5 hours long and I would have at least 40 minutes of free time to explore the city. Unfortunately, the Rouen tour went well over time - taking over 2 hours, which meant I didn’t have any free time as expected and couldn’t visit the church of Joan of Arc as by the time we arrived it had already closed. During the tour we didn’t even enter the cathedral so I had to ask the driver if we could have 10 minutes to go inside. The tour guide spoke very quickly and it was often difficult to process all the information and time was also wasted advertising eateries, which were of no interest - clearly she was catering to the other people on the city tour who were staying in the city. As the tour was way over schedule, by the time we arrived at Etretat, we only had 1.5 hours as it was a long drive back to Paris, which made me feel very rushed and disappointed. I can’t fault our driver Edoard, who was really lovely and was just sticking to the schedule he had been given. It seems like the communication between the organisers of the tour needs to be improved to ensure that customers get exactly what is advertised and what they paid for. It should have been an enjoyable and relaxing experience, but I was really disappointed and would not say this is good value for money.
Amazing trip to Rouen and Étretat with Eduard as our driver. Comfortable ride and unforgettable sights! Highly recommend!
