11-Day Paris → Rouen → Bayeux Itinerary — Autumn 2026

09:00

Wake up and final packing

Do a last walk-through for passports, travel documents, euros, and any prescriptions. Set bags by the door so departure is stress-free.

📍 Home, Houston, TX

10:00

Relaxed breakfast and free morning

Keep the morning light — a familiar meal beats airport food and sets a calm tone for a long travel day.

📍 Home or a favorite Houston café

12:30

Leave for George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Allow 45–60 minutes for the drive to IAH, accounting for midday traffic and the time needed to return a car or reach the terminal.

📍 Houston, TX — depart for IAH

13:00

Arrive at IAH — check in, bag drop, and security

International check-in desks close well before departure; arriving at 13:00 gives a comfortable buffer for bag drop, security, and customs formalities before the 15:55 departure.

📍 George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Terminal D (international)

14:00

Explore the terminal and grab a pre-flight lunch

Terminal D has several solid dining options once you clear security. Eat a proper meal now — airplane food rarely satisfies on a long haul.

📍 IAH Terminal D airside

15:00

Make your way to the departure gate

International gates can be a long walk or a tram ride from security; give yourself a full 55 minutes before boarding begins.

📍 IAH Terminal D — gate for Paris CDG flight

15:55

Depart Houston IAH — overnight flight to Paris CDG

The flight is roughly 9–10 hours. Try to eat dinner early on board, then sleep as much as possible — Paris time will be 7 hours ahead and you land at 08:15 local time.

📍 George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) — airborne

08:15

Land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Follow signs for Passeports/Immigration; EU and non-EU lines are clearly marked. Allow a full 2 hours here for immigration, baggage claim, and the transfer into central Paris before expecting to reach your hotel.

📍 Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, CDG, Roissy-en-France

09:00

Transfer from CDG to hotel via RER B train

Take the RER B direct from the airport to Châtelet–Les Halles, then change to RER D or Line 14 to Gare de Lyon — total journey about 50 minutes. Buy a single Île-de-France ticket at the airport machines; keep it until you exit the turnstiles at your destination.

📍 RER B — CDG Terminal 2 station to Gare de Lyon, then a short taxi or walk to the hotel

10:15

Check in at Holiday Inn Paris – Gare de Lyon Bastille

Standard check-in is 15:00, but ask the front desk to store your bags immediately and to flag your room for early access — October is shoulder season and rooms often free up by midday. Drop your heavy luggage, freshen up, and head out light.

📍 Holiday Inn Paris - Gare de Lyon Bastille by IHG, 12th arrondissement, Paris

10:45

Breakfast and first coffee at a local café near Gare de Lyon

Order a café crème and a tartine beurrée or croissant — the classic Parisian start. Sit at the bar for the lowest price and the most authentic experience; table service carries a small surcharge.

📍 Rue de Lyon or Avenue Ledru-Rollin, 12th arrondissement

11:30

Place de la Bastille — the July Column and the square

The gilded Génie de la Liberté atop the July Column marks the spot of the former fortress. Circle the square on foot to take in the Opéra Bastille and the junction of three lively arrondissements — no ticket needed, entirely outdoors.

📍 Place de la Bastille, intersection of the 4th, 11th, and 12th arrondissements

12:15

Wander into the Marais — rue de Bretagne and the covered market

The Marché des Enfants Rouges (closed Mondays) is Paris's oldest covered market and a perfect casual lunch stop with Lebanese, Japanese, and French stalls. Arrive by 12:30 to beat the local lunch crowd.

📍 Rue de Bretagne and Marché des Enfants Rouges, 3rd arrondissement

13:00

Lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges

Pick a stall, grab a tray, and eat at one of the communal tables inside the market hall. The Moroccan couscous stall and the French charcuterie counter are perennial favourites — budget about €12–16 per person.

📍 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris

14:15

Place des Vosges — arcades, galleries, and Victor Hugo's house

Paris's oldest planned square, completed in 1612, is ringed by red-brick pavilions housing galleries and cafés under vaulted arcades. Entry to the square and the arcades is free; the Maison de Victor Hugo inside is also free and worth a quick 30-minute visit.

📍 Place des Vosges, 4th arrondissement, Le Marais

15:30

Stroll through the heart of the Marais — rue des Francs-Bourgeois

This pedestrian-friendly street is lined with independent boutiques, concept stores, and medieval hôtels particuliers. A relaxed walk after a long overnight flight — let jet lag work at an easy pace.

📍 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois between Place des Vosges and rue du Temple, 4th arrondissement

16:30

Return to hotel to collect room key and rest briefly

By now the room should be ready. A 45-minute rest is enough to reset without falling into a deep sleep that disrupts your first night — set an alarm so you wake in time for the sunset stroll.

📍 Holiday Inn Paris - Gare de Lyon Bastille by IHG, 12th arrondissement

17:45

Sunset stroll along the Seine quais near Pont d'Austerlitz

Sunset in Paris on October 8 is around 19:20; being on the quai by 17:45 gives you the golden-hour light on the water and the île Saint-Louis. The quai Saint-Bernard has a free outdoor sculpture garden and is one of the quietest riverside walks in the city.

📍 Quai de la Rapée and Quai Saint-Bernard, heading west from Pont d'Austerlitz, 12th–5th arrondissements

19:30

Early dinner near Bastille — a traditional Parisian brasserie

Brasserie classics — steak frites, duck confit, onion soup — are the right antidote to airline food. Aim to be seated by 19:30 to avoid the main 20:00 rush; no reservation needed at most neighbourhood brasseries on a Thursday.

📍 Rue de la Roquette or Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 11th arrondissement

21:00

Evening wind-down — return to hotel and early night

After a transatlantic overnight flight, an early night is the single best way to beat jet lag. Aim to sleep on local Paris time rather than Houston time — lights out by 22:00 will set you up for a strong Day 3.

📍 Holiday Inn Paris - Gare de Lyon Bastille by IHG, 12th arrondissement

08:00

Breakfast at a local boulangerie near the hotel

Pick up a café crème and a croissant or pain au chocolat at any neighborhood boulangerie — this stretch has several good ones. Eat in or take it to go; you have a full day ahead.

📍 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 12th arr., Paris

09:00

Metro to the Louvre and arrive at the museum

Book timed-entry tickets online well in advance; walk-up queues can exceed 90 minutes. Enter via the Pyramid or the Carrousel du Louvre underground entrance to skip the longest lines.

📍 Musée du Louvre, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris — take Metro Line 1 to Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre

09:15

Musée du Louvre — Ancient Civilisations and Italian Renaissance wing

Prioritise the Denon Wing for the Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and the Mona Lisa early before crowds thicken. Pick up a free museum map at the information desk inside the Pyramid.

📍 Musée du Louvre, 1st arr., Paris

12:30

Lunch at Café Marly inside the Louvre arcades

Seated under the Richelieu arcade with a direct view of the Pyramid, this is a relaxed spot to recharge. Reservation recommended; book online a day ahead or ask your hotel concierge.

📍 Café Marly, 93 Rue de Rivoli, 1st arr., Paris

13:30

Walk to Île de la Cité via Pont Neuf and explore Notre-Dame exterior

Notre-Dame's interior is still being restored after the 2019 fire, but the cathedral's exterior and the surrounding parvis are fully accessible and deeply impressive. Walk the full perimeter to admire the flying buttresses on the apse side.

📍 Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II, 4th arr., Paris

14:30

Sainte-Chapelle — the Gothic jewel of the Île de la Cité

Book timed-entry tickets online; security screening here shares a queue with the Conciergerie entrance and can be slow. The upper chapel's 15 floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows are at their most luminous on a bright afternoon — today's October light should be ideal.

📍 Sainte-Chapelle, 8 Boulevard du Palais, 1st arr., Paris

15:30

Stroll across Pont Saint-Louis to Île Saint-Louis for a Berthillon ice cream

Berthillon is the benchmark Parisian glacier, open Wednesday–Sunday (confirm hours as they vary by season). One or two scoops of salted-caramel or cassis is the local choice.

📍 Berthillon, 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 4th arr., Paris

16:15

Walk south across Pont de la Tournelle into the Latin Quarter

This is a gentle 10-minute walk across the river. The quai offers a lovely close-up view of Notre-Dame's apse — worth pausing for a photograph.

📍 Quai de la Tournelle to Rue Saint-Jacques, 5th arr., Paris

16:30

Explore the Latin Quarter — rue Mouffetard and Place de la Contrescarpe

Rue Mouffetard is one of Paris's oldest market streets; afternoon is a good time to browse the cheese shops, wine caves, and fruit stalls before they close for the day. The cobbled square at the top makes a fine spot to sit and people-watch.

📍 Rue Mouffetard, 5th arr., Paris

19:30

Dinner in the Latin Quarter

This block is lined with restaurants; for a proper French bistro meal look slightly off the tourist strip — try Rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard for quieter, better-quality options. Reserve in advance for the most popular spots; walk-ins are easier here than on the Right Bank.

📍 Rue de la Huchette / Rue Saint-Séverin area, 5th arr., Paris

08:00

Breakfast at a local boulangerie near Gare de Lyon

Grab a croissant and café au lait at any neighborhood bakery — this is a working-class arrondissement with honest, unhurried spots. Aim to be out the door by 08:45.

📍 Rue de Lyon or Avenue Ledru-Rollin, 12th arrondissement

09:00

Metro to Musée d'Orsay and arrive at opening

Take Line 14 from Gare de Lyon to Musée d'Orsay — the museum opens at 09:30, so arriving just before lets you join the short early queue and enter ahead of the mid-morning rush. Book timed-entry tickets online in advance; the Impressionist galleries on the top floor (Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh) are the crown jewels.

📍 Musée d'Orsay, 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 7th arrondissement

09:30

Explore the Musée d'Orsay — Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections

Budget roughly two hours: start on the ground floor with the monumental sculpture hall, ride up to the fifth-floor Impressionists, then work back down through Art Nouveau. The great clock windows on level 5 offer a spectacular rooftop view of Montmartre.

📍 Musée d'Orsay, 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 7th arrondissement

11:45

Stroll along the Seine Left Bank quais toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés

A 20-minute riverside walk west from the Orsay is one of the loveliest in Paris in October — plane trees turn gold and the bouquinistes (green-box booksellers) line the embankment. Keep the river on your right.

📍 Quai Anatole France to Quai Malaquais, 6th arrondissement

12:15

Saint-Germain-des-Prés café stop — coffee and a bite at a legendary literary café

Both cafés are expensive but the atmosphere — zinc bar, rattan chairs, writers' ghosts — is priceless and worth at least one visit. A café crème and a croque-monsieur make a fine light lunch; expect to linger 45 minutes.

📍 Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots, Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th arrondissement

13:15

Walk or take the 87 bus to the Eiffel Tower

The bus 87 runs along Rue de Sèvres and drops you near the Champ de Mars in about 15 minutes; alternatively the walk along Rue du Bac and across Pont de l'Alma takes 25 minutes and is very pleasant. Book summit or second-floor lift tickets online well in advance — October is still busy and same-day tickets sell out.

📍 Champ de Mars, 7th arrondissement

13:45

Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars

Arrive at your reserved entry time, ascend to your booked level, and then descend for a long, leisurely picnic-style rest on the Champ de Mars lawn — bring a pastry from Saint-Germain or pick up a crêpe from a nearby stand. The tower faces north-west so afternoon light illuminates the city beautifully behind you.

📍 Champ de Mars, 7th arrondissement

16:00

Walk along the Seine toward Pont d'Iéna and find your boarding point for the dusk cruise

The main Bateaux Mouches pier is a 10-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower along the Right Bank; Bateaux Parisiens operates from the Left Bank just below the tower. Book your cruise ticket in advance and aim for a departure around 17:00–17:30 so you catch the fading October light and the monuments beginning to glow.

📍 Bateaux Mouches pier, Port de la Conférence, near Pont de l'Alma, 8th arrondissement

17:00

Seine river cruise at dusk

The one-hour cruise passes Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower — all seen from the water at golden hour. Sit on the open upper deck and dress warmly; October evenings on the river are crisp.

📍 Departing from Pont de l'Alma / Port de la Bourdonnais, 7th–8th arrondissement

18:15

Dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the 7th arrondissement

This neighborhood has excellent bistros at every price point — try Chez Dumonet (Josephine) on Rue du Cherche-Midi for classic French cuisine (reserve ahead) or simply walk Rue Saint-Benoît for a relaxed neighbourhood option. Metro Line 12 from Notre-Dame-des-Champs gets you back to Gare de Lyon in 20 minutes.

📍 Rue Saint-Benoît or Rue de Verneuil, 6th arrondissement

20:30

Metro back to Holiday Inn Paris – Gare de Lyon Bastille

Line 12 southbound to Montrouge, change at Concorde to Line 1 eastbound to Gare de Lyon — about 25 minutes door to door. A full Left Bank day well earned.

📍 Holiday Inn Paris – Gare de Lyon Bastille, 12th arrondissement

08:30

Breakfast at a local café near the hotel

A string of classic neighbourhood cafés lines this street — order a café crème and a croissant at the zinc counter for an authentic local experience. Avoid sitting outside if you want quicker service.

📍 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 12th arr., Paris

09:15

Metro to Montmartre (Abbesses station)

Take Line 12 north to Abbesses — it is the deepest station in Paris and has a charming original Art Nouveau entrance. The spiral staircase is well worth skipping the elevator for the mural.

📍 Metro Line 12, Abbesses station, 18th arr., Paris

09:45

Explore the village lanes of Montmartre

Wander rue Lepic, rue des Abbesses, and the steep staircases at your own pace — on a Sunday morning the neighbourhood feels genuinely quiet before tour groups arrive around 11:00. Peek into the two remaining Montmartre windmills (Moulin Radet and Moulin de la Galette) along rue Lepic.

📍 Rue Lepic and surrounding streets, 18th arr., Paris

10:30

Place du Tertre — artists' square

Portrait and caricature artists occupy every corner; you are under no obligation to buy, but a quick sketch makes a personal souvenir. Arrive by 10:30 to beat the midday crowds that pack the square tightly.

📍 Place du Tertre, 18th arr., Paris

11:15

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Entry to the basilica is free; silence is strictly observed inside. Climb the dome (small fee) for a 360-degree panorama that stretches 30 km on clear October days — book a timed dome ticket online to skip queuing at the door.

📍 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 18th arr., Paris

12:30

Lunch at a Montmartre bistro

Step one block north of the tourist crush to rue Lamarck for unpretentious neighbourhood bistros with fixed-price lunch menus (around €14–18). Le Relais de la Butte is a reliable, unhurried option.

📍 Rue Lamarck or rue Caulaincourt, 18th arr., Paris

14:00

Stroll down the butte via Rue Lepic and browse local shops

The downhill walk back along rue Lepic passes the historic Café des Deux Moulins (featured in the film Amélie) — worth a quick look or coffee stop. Small fromageries and wine shops along the way are perfect for picnic supplies.

📍 Rue Lepic descending to Place Blanche, 18th arr., Paris

15:15

Metro to the 12th — Marché d'Aligre

The outdoor market closes around 13:30 on weekdays but the covered Beauvau market hall stays open until 19:30 Tuesday–Sunday — Sunday afternoon is lively with vendors and locals shopping for the week. October brings excellent mushroom and pumpkin stalls.

📍 Metro Line 2 to Nation, then Line 8 to Ledru-Rollin; Place d'Aligre, 12th arr., Paris

15:45

Marché d'Aligre — covered market hall and flea stalls

Browse the brocante (flea) stalls in the open square for vintage postcards, old maps, and curios before stepping into the Beauvau hall for charcuterie, cheese, and olives. This is one of the most authentically Parisian markets left in the city.

📍 Place d'Aligre, 12th arr., Paris

17:00

Coulée Verte René-Dumont (Promenade Plantée) walk

This elevated garden walkway runs 4.5 km eastward from Place de la Bastille atop a disused 19th-century railway viaduct — it inspired New York's High Line. The October foliage turns golden; the full walk to Boulevard Soult and back is about 90 minutes at a gentle pace.

📍 Avenue Daumesnil, 12th arr., Paris — enter at Bastille end near Rue de Lyon

18:45

Dinner in the Bastille neighbourhood

The 11th arrondissement around Charonne has some of Paris's most exciting contemporary French bistros at honest prices — try Le Servan or Septime (book Septime well in advance; walk-ins are very unlikely). Reserve any restaurant by 18:00 if you haven't already.

📍 Rue de la Roquette or Rue de Charonne, 11th arr., Paris

08:00

Breakfast near the hotel and final pack-up

Grab a croissant and coffee at a nearby café on rue de Lyon before settling your bill and checking out. Have bags ready at the door — you need a smooth exit for the walk to Gare de Lyon.

📍 Holiday Inn Paris - Gare de Lyon Bastille, 12th arr., Paris

09:00

Check out of Holiday Inn Paris - Gare de Lyon Bastille

Confirm checkout, keep your receipt for any incidentals. Gare de Lyon is a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute taxi ride from the hotel.

📍 Holiday Inn Paris - Gare de Lyon Bastille, 12th arr., Paris

09:20

Walk to Gare Saint-Lazare via Metro

Take Metro Line 14 from Gare de Lyon toward Saint-Lazare (change at Châtelet if needed, or take a direct route via Line 9 to Saint-Lazare). Allow about 25 minutes including platform time — buy your inter-city Rouen train ticket in advance on SNCF.com to avoid queues.

📍 Gare de Lyon → Metro Line 14 → Saint-Lazare, Paris

10:00

Arrive at Gare Saint-Lazare and board train to Rouen-Rive-Droite

SNCF Intercités trains to Rouen depart Saint-Lazare roughly every hour; the 10:15 or 10:30 departure puts you in Rouen by midday. Validate your ticket at the platform composter before boarding — it's a French rail requirement.

📍 Gare Saint-Lazare, Paris

12:00

Arrive at Rouen-Rive-Droite and check in at Quality Aparthotel Rouen

The station is a 10–15 minute walk from the old town, or a quick taxi. Drop your bags, get your room keys, and ask the desk for a free city map — the old town's medieval lanes are best navigated on foot.

📍 Quality Aparthotel Rouen, Rouen

13:15

Lunch in the old town — Norman classics

Look for a brasserie serving moules-frites or a tarte normande; La Couronne on Place du Vieux-Marché is reputedly France's oldest inn (1345) and fits the medieval mood perfectly. Reserve ahead or arrive right at 13:00 to beat the lunch rush.

📍 Rue Martainville or Place du Vieux-Marché area, Rouen

14:30

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen

Monet painted this façade over 30 times — stand in the square and see exactly what he saw. The cathedral is free to enter; the flamboyant Gothic interior and the tomb of Richard the Lionheart's heart are the highlights.

📍 Place de la Cathédrale, Rouen

15:30

Gros-Horloge and rue du Gros-Horloge

The gilded one-handed astronomical clock spanning the pedestrian street dates to 1389; climb the belfry for rooftop views over Rouen's half-timbered skyline for a small fee (around €4). The street itself is lined with leaning timber-frame buildings — prime territory for slow wandering and window-shopping.

📍 Rue du Gros-Horloge, Rouen

16:30

Place du Vieux-Marché and the Église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc

Joan of Arc was burned at the stake here in 1431; the striking modern church built in her memory (1979) houses 16th-century stained glass salvaged from an earlier church bombed in WWII — an unexpected and moving combination. The square fills with market stalls on weekend mornings, so it will be quieter in the afternoon.

📍 Place du Vieux-Marché, Rouen

17:30

Aperitif and people-watching in the old town

Settle into a terrace café for a glass of local Normandy cider or a kir while the late-October light softens over the half-timbered façades. October evenings cool quickly, so have a layer ready.

📍 Bar or café near rue du Gros-Horloge, Rouen

19:30

Dinner in Rouen — Norman cuisine

The canalsid rue Eau-de-Robec has several good bistros in atmospheric converted craftsmen's houses. Duck confit, camembert gratin, and tarte tatin with crème fraîche are the regional stars — book a table earlier in the day to secure a spot.

📍 Rue Eau-de-Robec or Saint-Maclou quarter, Rouen

21:00

Evening stroll and return to aparthotel

The medieval streets are beautifully lit after dark; a slow 20-minute loop back through the timber-frame quarter is the best way to end the day before settling in for the night.

📍 Old town lanes back to Quality Aparthotel Rouen

07:30

Breakfast at the aparthotel or a nearby boulangerie

Pick up a croissant and café crème to go — you want to be on the road early to beat coach groups at Giverny. A light, quick breakfast is all you need.

📍 Quality Aparthotel Rouen or nearby rue Jeanne d'Arc, Rouen

08:15

Depart Rouen by car or taxi toward Giverny

The most flexible way to visit Giverny from Rouen is by rental car or taxi; public transit requires a train to Vernon then a bus or bike. Aim to arrive at Giverny right at opening (09:30) to enjoy the gardens before crowds peak.

📍 Rouen to Giverny, D313/D5 route (approx. 75 km, ~1 hour 15 min)

09:30

Monet's House and Gardens — arrival and grounds exploration

Book timed-entry tickets online in advance (fondation-monet.com) — walk-up tickets often sell out by mid-morning. Start with the flower garden (Clos Normand) while it is still uncrowded and the light is at its best.

📍 Fondation Claude Monet, 84 Rue Claude Monet, Giverny

10:15

Water-lily garden and the Japanese bridge

The iconic wisteria-draped Japanese bridge and lily ponds are the centrepiece — October light is golden and soft, and the garden is still lush before the season closes (usually late October). Linger here; this is the heart of the visit.

📍 Water Garden, Fondation Claude Monet, Giverny

11:15

Interior of Monet's house — studio, dining room, and kitchen

The cheerful yellow dining room and blue-tiled kitchen are crowd favourites; the upstairs bedroom and studios show his Japanese print collection that inspired so many compositions.

📍 Monet's House, Fondation Claude Monet, Giverny

12:15

Lunch at Les Nymphéas restaurant in Giverny

This is the best sit-down option directly in the village; arrive promptly at opening to secure a table without a wait. A two-course plat du jour is filling and reasonably priced.

📍 Rue Claude Monet, Giverny (steps from the Foundation)

13:30

Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny

A two-minute walk from the Foundation, this museum pairs perfectly with the morning visit — rotating exhibitions focus on Impressionist and American Impressionist works painted in the Seine Valley. Allow 75–90 minutes.

📍 99 Rue Claude Monet, Giverny

15:15

Stroll through the village of Giverny and browse artist studios

The village is tiny and picturesque; several small galleries sell prints and local art. A peaceful way to wind down before the drive back.

📍 Rue Claude Monet and surrounding lanes, Giverny

16:00

Depart Giverny, return drive to Rouen

Leaving by 16:00 avoids any evening traffic build-up and gets you back to Rouen with time to freshen up before dinner.

📍 Giverny to Rouen, approx. 75 km, ~1 hour 15 min

19:00

Dinner in Rouen — Norman cuisine in the old town

Look for a bistro offering Normandy classics: canard à la Rouennaise (pressed duck), camembert gratiné, and a local cidre bouché. The streets around rue Martainville have several good options without tourist-trap pricing.

📍 Rue Martainville or Place du Vieux-Marché area, Rouen

08:00

Leisurely breakfast and check-out from Quality Aparthotel Rouen

Settle your bill the night before if possible to make morning checkout smooth. Pack all bags tonight so the morning is unhurried.

📍 Quality Aparthotel Rouen, Rouen, France

08:45

Visit Abbatiale Saint-Ouen

This soaring Gothic abbey church opens at 09:00 on weekdays; arrive just before to be among the first inside and catch the morning light through the enormous stained-glass windows. Entry is free.

📍 Place du Général de Gaulle, Rouen, France

09:45

Wander through the Aître Saint-Maclou

One of the last surviving medieval plague ossuaries in Europe; the carved skulls and bones on the timber-frame galleries are genuinely eerie and worth 20–30 minutes. Courtyard is open and free to enter.

📍 186 Rue Martainville, Rouen, France

10:30

Walk to Gare de Rouen Rive-Droite and board the train to Bayeux

The Rouen–Bayeux journey requires a change at Caen (total travel roughly 2 hours); book tickets in advance on the SNCF app. Aim for a train departing around 10:45–11:00 to arrive in Bayeux by 13:00.

📍 Gare de Rouen Rive-Droite, Place Bernard Tissot, Rouen, France

13:00

Arrive at Gare de Bayeux and check in at Tiny house au cœur de Bayeux

The station is a short 10-minute walk into the old town centre. Drop your bags and take a few minutes to orient yourself on the cobbled streets — the cathedral spires make a perfect landmark.

📍 Gare de Bayeux, Bayeux, France

13:45

Lunch in the old town

Rue Saint-Jean is lined with affordable crêperies and bistros; a galette-and-cider lunch is the classic Normandy midday meal and will cost under €15 per person.

📍 Rue Saint-Jean or Place Saint-Patrice, Bayeux, France

15:00

Bayeux Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux)

The Romanesque crypt and the 11th-century nave are among the best-preserved Norman architecture in France. Entry is free; a self-guided audio tour is available at the welcome desk inside.

📍 Rue du Bienvenu, Bayeux, France

16:00

Bayeux Tapestry at the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux

Last entry is usually 45 minutes before closing (check the seasonal hours, typically 18:00 in October); book tickets online to avoid the queue. The included audio guide is excellent and paced to match each embroidered scene.

📍 Centre Guillaume le Conquérant, 13 bis Rue de Nesmond, Bayeux, France

17:15

Stroll the mill-race lanes along the Aure river

Follow the small watercourses and old tannery buildings behind the cathedral — this quieter quarter sees far fewer visitors than the main streets and is lovely in the late afternoon October light.

📍 Rue des Bouchers and the riverside lanes, Bayeux, France

18:30

Aperitif and evening at leisure in Place Charles de Gaulle

Several welcoming bars and brasseries ring the square; a glass of Normandy calvados or local cider is the ideal way to end the day before an early start tomorrow for the D-Day beaches.

📍 Place Charles de Gaulle, Bayeux, France

20:00

Dinner near the old town

Bayeux has a handful of solid Norman restaurants along Rue Saint-Jean — look for dishes featuring local Isigny butter, camembert, and fresh Channel seafood. Reservations recommended mid-week in October.

📍 Rue Saint-Jean, Bayeux, France

07:30

Breakfast at the tiny house and pack for the day

Bring layers — October mornings on the Norman coast are cool and often misty. Pack water, snacks, and comfortable walking shoes; facilities at the sites are limited.

📍 Tiny house au cœur de Bayeux, Bayeux

08:15

Depart Bayeux by rental car toward Pointe du Hoc

Pointe du Hoc is about 30 minutes west of Bayeux via the D514. Starting here lets you travel the American sector west-to-east in chronological D-Day order.

📍 Bayeux town centre → D514 coastal road

08:45

Pointe du Hoc — Ranger assault cliffs and preserved craters

Arrive early to walk the moonscape of shell craters and enter the German command bunker before tour buses arrive around 10:00. The cliff edge is unfenced in places — stay on marked paths.

📍 Pointe du Hoc, Cricqueville-en-Bessin

10:00

Drive east along the coast to Omaha Beach

The drive takes about 15 minutes. Pull into the Ruquet draw (WN62 sector) parking area to approach the beach on foot at the same axis the first waves landed.

📍 D514 toward Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer / Colleville-sur-Mer

10:20

Walk Omaha Beach — shoreline and bluff overlook

Walk from the water's edge up to the bluff crest for a visceral sense of the elevation advantage defenders held. Low tide in mid-October typically exposes the full sand — check tide tables the night before.

📍 Omaha Beach, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer

11:30

Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer

Admission is free; the visitor centre has an outstanding 25-minute film and interactive maps — allow at least 90 minutes total. The garden of the missing and the 9,387 marble markers overlooking the sea are profoundly moving; speak quietly and dress respectfully.

📍 14710 Colleville-sur-Mer (American Battle Monuments Commission site)

13:15

Lunch at Café Gondrée or a local brasserie in Colleville / Saint-Laurent

Options are limited mid-week in October so arrive by 13:15 before kitchens close at 14:00. The small crêperies along the beach road offer quick, satisfying lunches.

📍 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer village, near the D-Day museum

14:30

Drive northwest to Sainte-Mère-Église

This is the farthest point of the day, roughly 50 km from Omaha; keep the drive relaxed and use the N13 for speed rather than the scenic coast road.

📍 D67 / N13 toward Sainte-Mère-Église, Manche (≈ 45 min)

15:15

Sainte-Mère-Église — Airborne Museum and the famous church tower

The Airborne Museum (€9–€11, three halls) tells the 82nd and 101st Airborne story brilliantly; allow 75 minutes. Look up at the church tower where the mannequin of paratrooper John Steele still hangs from his parachute.

📍 Place du 6-Juin, Sainte-Mère-Église

17:00

Depart Sainte-Mère-Église and drive back to Bayeux

A straightforward motorway return; you'll be back in Bayeux well before dark, which sets around 19:15 in mid-October.

📍 N13 east toward Bayeux (≈ 55 min)

18:00

Return to the tiny house — freshen up and rest

A brief rest before dinner is well earned after a full day of outdoor walking and emotional sites.

📍 Tiny house au cœur de Bayeux, Bayeux

19:30

Dinner in Bayeux old town

Le Pommier (4 rue des Cuisiniers) is a local favourite for Norman cuisine — Camembert, calvados-glazed pork, and tarte normande. Book ahead or arrive right at opening; tables fill quickly on autumn evenings.

📍 Rue Saint-Jean or Place Saint-Patrice, Bayeux

08:00

Breakfast in the old town

Several bakeries and cafés open by 07:30 around Place Saint-Patrice. Fuel up with a croissant and café au lait before a morning on the coast — it will be a long outdoor day.

📍 Café near Place Saint-Patrice, Bayeux

09:00

Drive to Arromanches-les-Bains and explore the Mulberry harbour remains

Arrive at low tide if possible — the concrete Phoenix caissons of the artificial harbour are most dramatic when exposed; check tide tables the evening before. The clifftop viewpoint above town gives the best panorama of the remaining caissons still sitting in the bay.

📍 Arromanches-les-Bains, 10 km north of Bayeux

09:45

Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema

The 20-minute immersive film 'The Price of Freedom' runs on the hour and blends archival D-Day footage with present-day footage shot in the same locations — a powerful and compact way to frame what you've seen on the beach. Tickets are purchased on the spot; rarely sells out in October.

📍 Chemin du Calvaire, Arromanches-les-Bains

10:30

Drive to Longues-sur-Mer gun battery

This is the only Atlantic Wall battery in Normandy where all four original gun barrels remain in their casemates — an exceptionally well-preserved site. The open-air site is free and always accessible; the clifftop observation post has a sweeping view of Gold and Omaha beaches.

📍 Longues-sur-Mer, 6 km west of Arromanches

11:45

Clifftop walk between the casemates and the observation post

A short 10-minute walk links the four gun casemates to the forward observation bunker on the cliff edge. Wear sturdy shoes — the grass path can be slippery after autumn rain.

📍 Longues-sur-Mer coastal path

12:30

Lunch in Bayeux — crêperie or Norman bistro

Return to Bayeux (15-minute drive) for a relaxed sit-down lunch. Rue des Cuisiniers has several Norman restaurants serving moules-frites and local cider at reasonable prices; no reservation needed at midday in mid-October.

📍 Rue Saint-Martin or rue des Cuisiniers, Bayeux

14:00

Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie

This is the largest museum in Normandy dedicated to the entire Battle of Normandy campaign (June–August 1944), with uniforms, vehicles, maps, and film footage. Allow 1.5–2 hours; audio guides are available in English and are worth taking.

📍 Boulevard Fabian Ware, Bayeux

16:00

Bayeux War Cemetery and the Commonwealth Memorial

The largest Commonwealth cemetery in France from the Second World War, with 4,144 graves. The Latin inscription on the memorial opposite — 'We, whom William conquered, have set free the conqueror's native land' — is worth reading before you leave. The cemetery is open at all times and free.

📍 Boulevard Fabian Ware, directly across from the museum

17:15

Evening stroll through central Bayeux and aperitif

Wind down with a walk back through the medieval centre. Several wine bars and cider bars on rue Saint-Jean open around 17:00 — a glass of Calvados or local pommeau makes a fitting end to a day spent honouring the men who liberated this town.

📍 Rue Saint-Jean and Place Charles de Gaulle, Bayeux

19:30

Dinner and early night at the tiny house

Pack your bags tonight — tomorrow is an early pre-dawn departure by train to Paris. Keep dinner local and unhurried; the old town has good Norman restaurants within walking distance of the accommodation.

📍 Tiny house au cœur de Bayeux, Bayeux old town

21:30

Return to accommodation and pack for departure

Tomorrow's train departs very early; have everything packed and ready tonight so the morning requires no more than getting dressed and leaving. Set multiple alarms.

📍 Tiny house au cœur de Bayeux

03:00

Wake up at Tiny house au cœur de Bayeux

Set multiple alarms. Bags should be fully packed the night before so the only task is dressing, grabbing luggage, and a quick check of the room.

📍 Tiny house au cœur de Bayeux, Bayeux, France

03:30

Check out and depart for Gare de Bayeux

The station is roughly a 10-minute walk or a very short taxi ride from the old town centre; book a taxi the evening before as no ride-share services reliably operate pre-dawn in Bayeux.

📍 Gare de Bayeux, Boulevard Sadi Carnot, Bayeux, France

03:45

Arrive at Gare de Bayeux and board early train to Paris Saint-Lazare

The earliest direct or one-change SNCF service from Bayeux to Paris Saint-Lazare departs around 03:55–04:10 and arrives approximately 07:00–07:30; confirm and book your specific train in advance on sncf-connect.com as seats sell out and schedules vary.

📍 Gare de Bayeux, Bayeux, France

07:15

Arrive at Paris Gare Saint-Lazare

Allow a few minutes to stretch and orientate; the RER E or a taxi will take you toward CDG — do not linger, your airport deadline is firm.

📍 Gare Saint-Lazare, Paris, France

07:10

Transfer from Gare Saint-Lazare to CDG Airport

The fastest option is a taxi (approximately 40–50 minutes in early-morning traffic, around €55–70) or the RER B from Gare du Nord (change at Saint-Lazare via Châtelet, total journey about 50–60 minutes); a taxi is strongly recommended with luggage on a tight schedule.

📍 Paris Gare Saint-Lazare to CDG Terminal 2, Paris, France

07:10

Depart Saint-Lazare immediately for CDG — must arrive by 07:10

Airport arrival deadline for a 10:10 international departure is 07:10 (3 hours before). Leave Saint-Lazare the moment you step off the train — transfer time to CDG is approximately 45–55 minutes by taxi in early morning.

📍 En route to CDG, Paris, France

08:00

Arrive at CDG Terminal 2 — check in and drop bags

International check-in counters typically close 60 minutes before departure; being at the terminal by 07:10 gives you ample buffer for bag drop, document checks, and any queue.

📍 Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Terminal 2, France

08:30

Clear passport control and security, proceed to departure gate

CDG security queues can be lengthy; head straight through without browsing shops until you have confirmed your gate and have time to spare.

📍 CDG Airport, Departure Zone, France

09:30

Gate area — last chance for a coffee and a croissant

Plenty of cafés and grab-and-go options airside; this is a comfortable time to sit, relax, and pick up any last French provisions for the flight.

📍 CDG Airport departure lounge, France

10:10

Board flight CDG → Houston IAH

Departure is at 10:10 local Paris time; the flight arrives in Houston at 13:40 local Houston time. Settle in — you have earned the rest.

📍 Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France

13:40

Land at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston

Proceed through US Customs and Border Protection; have your passport and customs declaration ready. Welcome home.

📍 George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston, United States

11-Day Paris → Rouen → Bayeux Itinerary — Autumn 2026 - Paris & Normandy Getaway

Day 1 — 2026-10-07

Day 2 — 2026-10-08

Day 3 — 2026-10-09

Day 4 — 2026-10-10

Day 5 — 2026-10-11

Day 6 — 2026-10-12

Day 7 — 2026-10-13

Day 8 — 2026-10-14

Day 9 — 2026-10-15

Day 10 — 2026-10-16

Day 11 — 2026-10-17

Planning a trip like this one?