Self-Drive Tour in Normandy: From Giverny to the D-Day Beaches
Dreaming of a journey that blends artistic beauty with powerful history? We’ve crafted the perfect itinerary through Normandy, specially designed for our American friends. This unique self-drive tour lets you explore Monet’s enchanting gardens in Giverny before reflecting on the beaches that forever changed the course of history. And with TT Car Transit, your adventure is as comfortable as it is unforgettable.
Your journey begins with the crown jewel of this trip: Giverny. Just 75 km from Paris, this charming Norman village captured the heart of Claude Monet, who lived here for over 40 years. It’s where the master of Impressionism painted his famous water lily series, which revolutionized modern art. As you stroll through the lush gardens of Monet’s estate, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into one of his paintings. The Japanese bridge spanning the lily pond, the green-shuttered house, the flower-lined paths filled with roses, irises, and nasturtiums... Every corner bursts with color, like scenes pulled straight from the canvases you’ve admired in America’s greatest museums.
Plan at least half a day to explore the gardens, the house, and the nearby Musée des Impressionnismes. Then enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the village cafés before continuing your journey to the next destination.
About 2.5 hours’ drive from Giverny, the D-Day beaches offer a completely different setting. After the explosion of color at Monet’s gardens, you’ll arrive at landscapes rich with American history. For many Americans, visiting these places is a deeply moving experience—a pilgrimage tracing the footsteps of those who helped liberate Europe. Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc... these names echo in the collective memory of the United States.
The American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, with its 9,387 perfectly aligned graves overlooking the sea, is a must-see site of remembrance. Visiting the Caen Memorial and the D-Day Museum in Arromanches will deepen your understanding of these major historical events.
Here’s an example itinerary we recommend for our American clients:
Day 1: Pick up your TT Car Transit vehicle in Paris, drive to Giverny, and check into a charming local B&B.
Day 2: A full day dedicated to visiting Monet’s gardens and the village of Giverny.
Day 3: Head to the Normandy coast, with an optional stop in Rouen to admire its stunning Gothic cathedral—immortalized by Monet in a series of paintings. Arrive in Bayeux, an ideal base for exploring the D-Day beaches.
Day 4: A day dedicated to Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc.
Day 5: Visit Utah Beach and the D-Day Museum in Arromanches before heading back to Paris.
This refined station wagon is perfect for couples or small families looking to explore Normandy’s roads in style and comfort. Its superb handling ensures a smooth ride on the narrow country roads to Giverny, while its fuel efficiency lets you complete the itinerary without range anxiety. You’ll especially appreciate its spacious trunk, easily fitting the luggage of two to four travelers, and its quiet cabin that lets you fully enjoy the peaceful Norman landscapes—between poppy fields and coastal cliffs.
At TT Car Transit, we’re proud to accompany you on this journey filled with emotion and beauty. Our vehicles aren’t just a means of transport—they’re your travel companions connecting you to the places that speak so deeply to the American heart.
Contact us today to book your vehicle and start planning your ‘Art and History’ road trip through Normandy. A journey where every mile traveled turns another page of art and history.
Giverny: Step into Monet’s Impressionist World
Your journey begins with the crown jewel of this trip: Giverny. Just 75 km from Paris, this charming Norman village captured the heart of Claude Monet, who lived here for over 40 years. It’s where the master of Impressionism painted his famous water lily series, which revolutionized modern art. As you stroll through the lush gardens of Monet’s estate, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into one of his paintings. The Japanese bridge spanning the lily pond, the green-shuttered house, the flower-lined paths filled with roses, irises, and nasturtiums... Every corner bursts with color, like scenes pulled straight from the canvases you’ve admired in America’s greatest museums.
Plan at least half a day to explore the gardens, the house, and the nearby Musée des Impressionnismes. Then enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the village cafés before continuing your journey to the next destination.
From Art to History: On the Road to the D-Day Beaches
About 2.5 hours’ drive from Giverny, the D-Day beaches offer a completely different setting. After the explosion of color at Monet’s gardens, you’ll arrive at landscapes rich with American history. For many Americans, visiting these places is a deeply moving experience—a pilgrimage tracing the footsteps of those who helped liberate Europe. Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc... these names echo in the collective memory of the United States.
The American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, with its 9,387 perfectly aligned graves overlooking the sea, is a must-see site of remembrance. Visiting the Caen Memorial and the D-Day Museum in Arromanches will deepen your understanding of these major historical events.
A Tailor-Made 5-Day Itinerary
Here’s an example itinerary we recommend for our American clients:Day 1: Pick up your TT Car Transit vehicle in Paris, drive to Giverny, and check into a charming local B&B.
Day 2: A full day dedicated to visiting Monet’s gardens and the village of Giverny.
Day 3: Head to the Normandy coast, with an optional stop in Rouen to admire its stunning Gothic cathedral—immortalized by Monet in a series of paintings. Arrive in Bayeux, an ideal base for exploring the D-Day beaches.
Day 4: A day dedicated to Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc.
Day 5: Visit Utah Beach and the D-Day Museum in Arromanches before heading back to Paris.
The Ideal Vehicles for Your Normandy Road Trip
To fully enjoy this journey through art and history, we especially recommend two models from our French vehicle lineup:Peugeot 308 SW: French Elegance on the Road
This refined station wagon is perfect for couples or small families looking to explore Normandy’s roads in style and comfort. Its superb handling ensures a smooth ride on the narrow country roads to Giverny, while its fuel efficiency lets you complete the itinerary without range anxiety. You’ll especially appreciate its spacious trunk, easily fitting the luggage of two to four travelers, and its quiet cabin that lets you fully enjoy the peaceful Norman landscapes—between poppy fields and coastal cliffs.Peugeot 3008/5008: Space and Versatility
For families or small groups of friends, our Peugeot SUVs offer considerable advantages. Their elevated driving position offers perfect views of the stunning D-Day coastal scenery, while the generous interior space ensures comfort for all passengers—even during the longest drives between historical sites. You’ll also appreciate the large trunk, which easily holds all the family’s luggage and any souvenirs you may pick up. The Peugeot 5008, with its 7 available seats, is especially suited for larger families wanting to share this unforgettable journey through art and history.Why Choose TT Car Transit for Your Road Trip?
Our fleet of comfortable and reliable vehicles is perfect for this type of itinerary:- Our spacious sedans let you cruise Normandy’s roads with ease
- The built-in GPS makes navigating between historic sites a breeze
- The range of a combustion engine gives you the freedom to linger at the sites that move you most
- Our French- and English-speaking advisors are here to help you choose your vehicle
Practical Tips for Your Self-Drive Tour
- Visit Giverny between April and October to enjoy the gardens at their finest
- Book your accommodations in advance, especially during high season or D-Day commemorations
- Pack a light raincoat—Normandy is known for its unpredictable showers
- Bring a small sketchbook to try your hand at Impressionist art in the very landscapes that inspired Monet
- For the D-Day beaches, an audio guide or history book will greatly enrich your experience
From Impressionism to Lasting Impressions
This unique journey offers two deeply American experiences on French soil: the admiration for an artist whose works fill the greatest museums in the United States, and the tribute to those who played a role in one of the most decisive moments in modern history.At TT Car Transit, we’re proud to accompany you on this journey filled with emotion and beauty. Our vehicles aren’t just a means of transport—they’re your travel companions connecting you to the places that speak so deeply to the American heart.
Contact us today to book your vehicle and start planning your ‘Art and History’ road trip through Normandy. A journey where every mile traveled turns another page of art and history.
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