Amazing Places to Visit in Normandy by Train from Paris

Looking for the best places to visit in Normandy by train from Paris? During our four-day trip, we combined two easy day trips from the capital with an unforgettable overnight stay at Mont Saint-Michel, without hiring a car.

Even if Normandy was not originally part of your plans, it is a brilliant option for anyone staying in Paris who wants to experience more of France on a day trip. Giverny and Caen can both be visited from the capital in a day, while Mont Saint-Michel is perfect if you have time to stay overnight.

Travelling with NOMAD Train, we wandered through Claude Monet’s famous gardens in Giverny, explored the medieval streets of Caen and watched the sunset behind Mont Saint-Michel while the water was at its highest.

We used Paris as our base for the first part of the trip, staying at Niepce Paris Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton. It was convenient for reaching both Paris Saint-Lazare and Paris Montparnasse, the two stations we travelled from during our itinerary.

Each destination offered something completely different, from art and flower-filled gardens to Norman history and dramatic coastal scenery. In this guide, I am sharing three amazing places to visit in Normandy by train, whether you want to add a single day trip to your Paris itinerary or follow our complete four-day route.

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This trip was created in partnership with NOMAD Train, but all experiences and recommendations are my own.

Why Visit Normandy by Train from Paris?

Normandy is one of the easiest regions to add to a trip to Paris, particularly if you want to experience more of France without hiring a car.

Within four days, we wandered through the gardens that inspired Claude Monet, explored the medieval history of Caen and watched the sunset behind Mont Saint-Michel. Each place felt completely different, yet all three were easy to reach using NOMAD Train and straightforward local connections.

Travelling by train gave us a simpler and more sustainable alternative to hiring a car. Instead of worrying about unfamiliar roads, parking or navigation, we could relax, watch the French countryside pass by and finish planning what we wanted to see before arriving.

It made the journeys feel like part of the trip rather than simply a way of getting from one place to another.

Where to Stay in Paris for This Normandy Itinerary

We stayed at Niepce Paris Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton while using Paris as our base for visiting Giverny and Caen.

It worked well for this itinerary because we could reach both Paris Saint-Lazare and Paris Montparnasse, while still having time to enjoy Paris between each journey.

Amy’s Tip: When choosing a Paris hotel for this itinerary, check how easily it connects to both train stations rather than looking for accommodation beside only one.

The Best Places to Visit in Normandy by Train from Paris

1. Giverny: Walk in Claude Monet’s Footsteps

Giverny is one of the best places to visit in Normandy by train from Paris, particularly if you love art, gardens or picturesque French villages.

The journey begins at Paris Saint-Lazare, where you can take a NOMAD Train to Vernon-Giverny in around an hour. From the station, a connecting shuttle takes you into Giverny, making it an easy day trip without needing a car.

As soon as we arrived, it felt completely different from Paris. Busy streets were replaced by quiet country lanes, flower-filled gardens and beautiful stone cottages. It was hard to believe somewhere so peaceful was only around an hour from the capital.

Visit Claude Monet’s House and Gardens

The main reason most people visit Giverny is to explore Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, where the artist lived for more than 40 years.

Walking through his home gave us a glimpse into his everyday life. Each room has its own character, from the bright yellow dining room to the famous blue kitchen. I had seen both countless times in photographs, but standing inside them felt completely different.

The gardens were even more memorable.

We spent ages wandering along pathways surrounded by flowers before reaching the Japanese Water Garden. Seeing the green bridge stretching across the lily pond was a real pinch-me moment. It is one of Monet’s most recognisable scenes, and experiencing it in person made it easy to understand why he returned to it in so many of his paintings.

Even if you are not particularly interested in art, the gardens are beautiful enough to make Giverny worth visiting and it’s definitely one of the best things to do as a day trip from Paris.

Explore the Village of Giverny

There is more to Giverny than Monet’s house, so leave some time to explore the village itself.

We loved wandering past its traditional cottages, independent galleries and flower-filled gardens. The whole village has a calm atmosphere that makes you want to slow down rather than rush between attractions.

You can also visit the Musée des Impressionnismes, which explores the Impressionist movement and its influence on artists around the world.

Another lovely place to stop is Hôtel Baudy. It was once a meeting place for artists including Cézanne and Rodin and is now home to a restaurant and a beautiful rose garden.

What I loved most about Giverny was how relaxing it felt. It was not somewhere we wanted to race around ticking things off a list. We could take our time, enjoy the surroundings and see for ourselves why artists have been drawn to this small Normandy village for well over a century.

Amy’s Tip: Book tickets for Monet’s House and Gardens in advance. Visiting later in the afternoon can also help you avoid some of the busiest crowds.

2. Caen: Discover Normandy’s Historic Heart

Our second stop on our trip from Paris to Normandy was Caen, a historic city around two hours from Paris by NOMAD Train.

It felt completely different from Giverny. Instead of gardens and quiet country lanes, Caen is filled with medieval landmarks, impressive abbeys and streets shaped by almost a thousand years of history. Despite that, it never felt overwhelmed by visitors and was surprisingly easy to explore on foot.

Explore Caen Castle

One of the first places we visited was Caen Castle, one of Europe’s largest medieval fortresses and one of the city’s most important links to William the Conqueror.

Standing within the castle walls, it was incredible to think about how much history had unfolded there. Although parts of the site were damaged during the Second World War, it has been carefully restored and now houses museums and exhibitions exploring Normandy’s past.

The elevated position also gives you a great view across the city, making it a good place to begin your visit and understand how Caen is laid out.

Visit the Abbaye aux Hommes

From the castle, we continued to the Abbaye aux Hommes, which was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.

The scale of the building is impressive, but what stayed with me most was how peaceful it felt inside. Walking through the grounds and grand interior gave us a much better sense of Caen’s importance during the medieval period.

William the Conqueror is buried here, which adds another layer of history to the visit.

See the Abbaye aux Dames

On the other side of the city is the Abbaye aux Dames, founded by William’s wife, Queen Matilda.

Its elegant church and crypt make it another worthwhile stop, particularly if you want to understand more about the couple who shaped so much of Caen’s history.

Visiting both abbeys helped bring the city’s medieval story together rather than feeling like we were simply visiting separate historic buildings.

Wander Through the Vaugueux District

After spending the morning exploring Caen’s landmarks, we headed to the Vaugueux district.

This quickly became one of my favourite parts of the city.

Its narrow cobbled streets are lined with traditional buildings, cafés and independent restaurants, making it the perfect place to stop for lunch before continuing to explore.

What I loved most about Caen was that it felt historic without feeling overcrowded. We could wander at our own pace, stop whenever something caught our attention and enjoy the city without feeling rushed.

Caen is ideal for anyone interested in medieval history and architecture, but it also works well as a relaxed city break from Paris if you simply want to discover somewhere beyond the usual tourist trail.

Amy’s Tip: Most of Caen’s main attractions are within walking distance making it an easy option for a Paris day trip to Normandy, so wear comfortable shoes and leave time to wander beyond the best-known landmarks.

3. Mont Saint-Michel: Stay Overnight at Normandy’s Most Iconic Landmark

We saved the most famous destination until last, which made arriving at Mont Saint-Michel feel even more special.

For years, I had admired photographs of it rising from the bay, but nothing prepared me for seeing it appear on the horizon for the first time. With the abbey perched above the medieval village and the tidal landscape stretching around it, it genuinely looked like something from a fairy tale.

Getting to Mont Saint-Michel by Train

Reaching Mont Saint-Michel without a car was much easier than I expected.

After travelling by NOMAD Train, we changed onto the connecting shuttle, which took us close to the entrance. The complete journey from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel takes around four and a half hours, but the straightforward connection made it feel surprisingly easy.

Explore the Medieval Village and Abbey

Simply wandering through the steep, winding streets became one of our favourite parts of the visit.

The lanes are filled with centuries-old buildings, cafés and small shops, while almost every corner reveals another view across the bay. The highlight is Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, perched high above the village. Walking through its cloisters, grand halls and terraces was unforgettable, particularly with the views stretching across the surrounding coastline.

Where to Eat at Mont Saint-Michel

For lunch, we found what felt like a real hidden gem at Le Logis Sainte Catherine.

It was tucked away from the busiest streets and felt much calmer than the restaurants around the main entrance. We ate overlooking the bay, with beautiful views and hardly any of the crowds we had experienced elsewhere on the island.

Why You Should Stay Overnight

One of the best decisions we made was staying overnight at Auberge Saint Pierre, which was right in the heart of the medieval village.

As the afternoon visitors gradually left, the streets became quieter and the atmosphere completely changed. That evening, we walked out to the dam to watch the sunset while the water was at its highest, with Mont Saint-Michel reflected across the bay. It was one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Mont Saint-Michel, we stayed at Auberge Saint Pierre – find more details and book here.

Staying overnight gave us time to experience Mont Saint-Michel beyond the busiest part of the day. By the time we left the following afternoon, I understood why it is one of France’s most famous landmarks. It is not simply somewhere to photograph. It is somewhere you need time to experience.

Amy’s Tip: Take as little luggage as possible if you are staying on the island. From the shuttle stop, you will need to carry it through the village and up the steep streets to your hotel.

How to Plan a 4 Day Normandy Trip by Train

This four-day Normandy itinerary combines two easy day trips from Paris with an overnight stay at Mont Saint-Michel.

Day 1: Giverny

Travel from Paris to Giverny from Paris Saint-Lazare station to Vernon-Giverny by NOMAD Train, then take the connecting shuttle into the village.

Spend the day exploring Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, the Japanese Water Garden and the centre of Giverny before returning to Paris.

Day 2: Caen

Take a direct NOMAD Train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Caen.

Visit Caen Castle, the Abbaye aux Hommes and the historic Vaugueux district before travelling back to Paris.

Day 3: Mont Saint-Michel

Travel from Paris Montparnasse to Mont Saint-Michel by NOMAD Train and connecting shuttle.

After arriving, explore the medieval village, visit the abbey and have lunch overlooking the bay at Le Logis Sainte Catherine.

Stay overnight at Auberge Saint Pierre before walking to the dam to watch the sunset while the water is at its highest.

Day 4: Mont Saint-Michel and Return to Paris

Enjoy a quieter morning on Mont Saint-Michel before many of the day visitors arrive.

Take time to explore any streets and viewpoints you missed, enjoy another look across the bay and then travel back to Paris by train and shuttle.

Amy’s Tip: You could stay overnight in Caen rather than returning to Paris, but using Paris as our base made Giverny and Caen easy to visit before spending our final night at Mont Saint-Michel.