French Connection

Honfleur, Deauville, Arromanches, Giverny, American Cemetary, Cancale France

Despite the fact that this post is many months overdue, my recollections of this trip remain fresh and vivid in my memory. I had not been to Normandy since I was around my son's age ( 12 yr. ) and won't mention just how long ago that was... Suffice to say, it has been many years and given his interest in WW II history, his love for food, and desire to return to Paris, I was inspired to create this itinerary taking us throughout Normandy and just a bit of Brittany ( thanks Tony Bourdain), before ending our trip in Paris. My favorite itineraries, and this one is no exception, are those that are manageable and offer a diverse experience and scenery, while allowing for a balance of culture and relaxation- not too chaotic and not too slow.

Not only was the trip full of enjoyment and variety, but it was very easy to execute. Simply fly in and out of CDG- an easy nonstop for most of the world- and rent a car. Driving is a must in this area because one of the greatest things about this region is the gorgeous scenery. The French are very organized/capable drivers, therefore signs are easy to follow (whether or not you speak the language). You will constantly find yourself pulling over to take a photo and swear you're standing smack in the middle of a painting. The light, architecture, and charming towns, dotting both the coast and inland are endless.

The journey is consistenly picturesque when meanrdering throughout this part of Northen France, where most of the great Impressionists came to paint. There is a reason that Monet not only painted at his home in Giverny (a must visit on your way from or back to Paris), but also spent much time in the charming and magical port town of Honfleur, which is where we spent our first night. The half timber architecture also commonly found in Germany and Holland is coupled with cobble-stoned streets lined with beautiful antique shops, artists displaying their work, and lovely cafes. For those who want a gorgeous property, I could not more highly recommend where we stayed. I was lucky enough to take an "en plein air" watercolor painting class the following morning, arranged by our hotel with a local, talented artist named, Laurent. I came home and quickly followed my talented new friend on Instagram, who inspired me to continue working on painting, as it brings me such peace and happiness. The art of "en plein air" is that all one needs is: a subject, a brush, a small pad of paper and some watercolors... et viola! This is one of many examples of travel influencing your quality of everyday life and giving the inspiration we didn't even realize we needed.

We then enjoyed a couple days in the nearby town of Deauville, coined the "Rivera of the 20's". Deauville is where the chic Parisians would go to escape the crowded city to enjoy the beach, casino, horses and tennis. Yes, it is indeed a "bougie" place, but in all of the best ways. That does not however take away from the town's charm, history and importance.

The farmers/ flea market in town is a must see if you love anything from gorgeous produce, cheeses, oysters, charcuterie... to exquisite linens, shoes, clothing, antiques very well priced might I add. There are plenty of designer high end shops mixed in with smaller speciality shops. If you love tennis, this is where the renowned and first athletic, high fashion label was born- Lacoste. The Gen Z's don't know it but Lacoste started the trend many years ago. If you go the right time of year, I highly recommend seeing a horse race, which sadly didn't work out as we were there just a bit too early in the season.

The most common reason travelers choose to the region is of course its WWII history and the beaches of Normandy, which was also a reason I chose this itinerary. Unsure of whether or not it would be tedious for my son to do an all day tour and absorb hours of information about the events of the war, I'm here to report it was the highlight of his trip.

While you do not "need" a guide as there are excellent museums like the 360º cinema at Arromanches, the American Cemetery, D Day Museum and the Utah Beach Landing Museum, all of which do an amazing job displaying, explaining and showing films about the events of the War, our guide added exponentially to our experience and knowledge. He made our tour even more valuable. We left with such a great appreciation for the battles that took place and the impact they had on world history. There is also an incredible sense of pride that Americans and British tourists will feel, knowing the part their countries played in liberating France. The biggest surprise and one I did not remember from my childhood, was how gorgeous an area it is surrrounding the beaches- though the beaches themselves are stark and somber and will forever be memorialized, this part of France is sadly less known for its exceptional beauty. It can only give one chills to visit and learn what happened during that time period. In stark contrast to the somber history, you leave the famous beaches to find bucolic, treelined, country roads lined with wild flowers, chateaus and stone walls covered in ivy. It's both breathtaking and unexpected. No trip to Normandy would be complete if you were to skip Mont St. Michel. Though quite touristic and full of trinkets and gimmicks, it is completely worth the stop as it is a one of a kind, Medieval castle, situated in a breathtaking setting. If you wish to continue on to Brittany the journey continues to be full of more picturesque towns and sites that are equally beautiful, but unique to Brittany. Love seafood? Stop in Cancale for their famous "seafood tower" and spend the night is one of their charming hotels. This is one French town that has very few tourists and is not easy to access, so you can feel like a local and enjoy its peace and natural beauty before returning to the hustle and bustle of Paris.