I already summarized this trip in April 2026 in this post here. 10 days in Brittany, Normandy and Parc Asterix, But if you want to know all the details, you're in the right place! We spent 10 days driving around with the kids in these places, and in this post I'll tell you what we did each day. We included everything in this itinerary: amusement parks, World War II museums, medieval villages, white cliffs, walled cities, beaches from the Battle of Normandy, fishing villages, fortresses, and even iconic castles. Get ready to see it all!
Route Map
Here's a map with the 4 apartments we stayed in red and stops we made in blue:
Summary Itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Thursday (02/04/2026)
We took an Easyjet flight around noon from Lisbon and arrived in Nantes around 4 pm, because we had some delays. At the airport, we took an Uber to the Sixt company outside the airport, because we figured it was cheaper than renting inside the airport. We picked up the rental car and drove to our first apartment in Saint-Meloir-des-Ondes, very close to Saint-Malo and Cancale, in Brittany.
Since the children fell asleep in the car, we thought it best to stop at a supermarket right away, and I got out to buy what we would need for the next few days while Celo stayed with them in the car. We then continued on to the apartment. Émeraude Lumineux T3 in the heart of the village, 5 minutes from beaches And we love the village where he is. Look how cute it is!
The apartment was very cozy, just like the photos on Booking showed, so we were very happy with our choice. We rested a bit, called a well-reviewed restaurant nearby, and luckily they had a table available.
We went to dinner at Bistrot 1936, which is in the Michelin Guide and has a more refined atmosphere, and I felt we started the trip on the right foot!
We had oysters and some fried dumplings as appetizers, the children had breaded chicken and fish, and Celo and I had beef and chicken with sauces. Beautiful, light and delicious dishes, paired perfectly with the house red wine.
We happily returned to the apartment!
Day 2 – Friday (03/04/2026)
We had coffee at the apartment and drove for 20 minutes to explore. Dinard, Brittany, an elegant coastal town in French Brittany, known for its refined beaches, historic villages, and charming seaside atmosphere. The weather was rainy, but it was still clear that the place is special.
After passing some beautiful mansions, we stopped the car in front of Plage du Prieuré, took some photos, and drove to the city center to see the famous Promenade du Clair de Lune. We parked and took a pleasant walk past the Piscine de Mer, the Casino Barrière Dinard, and then strolled along the Promenade at a leisurely pace, enjoying the fact that it was quite empty. I imagine it's not so crowded in the summer.
I found the Promenade beautiful! There are many flowers, some restaurants, and the view of Saint-Malo is really nice. I saw that there are boats that make the Dinard-Saint-Malo crossing in the high season, which must be quite interesting.
We left there and on the way to Cap Frehel, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant with good reviews for the famous Brittany crepes, the Au Gré Du Vent. A simple restaurant with staff who didn't speak much English, serving tasty crepes that were prepared quickly. Paddy didn't like them much because he thought they tasted too much of butter, but the three of us loved them.
We continued along the road and saw many fields with yellow flowers, and after some research, I discovered they were canola fields. We had to stop to take pictures, of course! Look how beautiful:
Then we continued on to the Cap Frehel Lighthouse, ...where we took a short walk. The view is beautiful, and even though it was cloudy... I can only imagine what it would be like with sunshine!
We left there and stopped at Fort La Latte, which required a longer walk this time. This place is a medieval castle on the coast of Brittany, built in the 14th century for maritime defense. It sits atop cliffs overlooking the English Channel and is one of the most famous places in the region. We loved strolling around and imagining how they lived and fought there. A hit with children and adults! We paid €8.50 per adult, €6 for Patrick, and Ju entered for free as she is not yet 5 years old. See more details on the official website – https://www.lefortlalatte.com/
We left when it closed at 5 PM and drove for an hour to... Dinan, Our last stop of the day. The children slept on the way, and we were able to listen to our music and chat peacefully, which was very nice. We passed quickly through Lehon, which is charming, and then continued to the medieval center of Dinan, one of the best-preserved in France, with its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and historic walls.
We strolled leisurely through the town center and chose a restaurant. La Lycorne For dinner. Interesting atmosphere, good food, but nothing spectacular. We ordered mussels with fries, a fish dish, and breaded chicken for the children. From there we went down the famous Rue du Jerzual, which connects the historic center to the port and is known for its steep slope, medieval half-timbered houses, artists' studios, and artisan shops. Charming!
We arrived down at the harbor and found the atmosphere super pleasant, with many interesting restaurant options. If I could go back in time, I would have dined at one of those down there, preferably with a view of the River Rance.
We thought about taking an Uber to the car because the climb was quite steep and it was almost 8 pm, but we saw that it would take 30 minutes to get there, so we thought it was better to climb up ourselves with the boys. Miraculously, they were in good shape and managed to climb all the way up, and when we got to the car, it was a huge relief.
We decided to stop at the Saint-Malo hospital because Paddy had an infection in his penis, and believe it or not: we waited for 3 hours and couldn't see a doctor. We went through triage with friendly nurses who spoke little English, but after so much waiting and the exhaustion of a long day, I decided to give up on treatment and cancelled the paperwork I had filled out along with the IATI travel insurance. Oh, yes! We always travel with IATI insurance and practically use it on every trip. I don't know if it's luck or bad luck… (If you want to buy through our website, click on this link and we'll earn a small commission – https://www.iatiseguros.pt/?r=41760880988198. Thanks! I continued applying the ointment that the pediatrician in Portugal recommended, and thankfully he got better!
We returned to the apartment exhausted from waiting, took our showers, and slept really well.
Day 3 – Saturday (04/04/2026)
We woke up without rushing, had coffee, and went out to explore Saint Malo. We went first to... Rocabey March, We went to the market outside the walled city because we had read good reviews about it. A place full of fruits, cheeses, seafood, breads and other Breton delicacies. We bought a few things and had a small lunch right there, since it was almost midday.
We then passed by Église Notre-Dame-des-Grèves, We drove to the street, which is right across the street, and returned to the car to continue to the historic center. After searching for a parking spot for a while, we found one near the city walls. There are several around the walls, but around 1 PM it's quite difficult to find a spot, which is why everyone recommends arriving early. We can confirm this advice!
Seeing the Intra-Muros city center from the outside is quite interesting, but walking along the walls is even more fun. The Intra-Muros historical center suffered intense bombing and fires that destroyed approximately 801,300 square kilometers of the old city during World War II. After the war, Saint-Malo was rebuilt stone by stone, respecting the original medieval style. Therefore, today the city maintains its historical appearance, even though much of it was rebuilt after the war.
We were lucky that the tide was low and there was a path on the beach to the islands of Île du Grand Bé and Île du Petit Bé. We went to the first one and the view of Saint Malo from there is wonderful! Just look at this:
Unfortunately, Ju touched some plant that gave her a terrible allergic reaction and itching, and she was crying there, which made us want to go back to the city right away. If it weren't for that, I would even try to go to the other island, because it really is a special place.
We walked along the other side of the wall, almost completing its entire perimeter, and went down to see the small town center up close, with its charming shops and restaurants, and its famous Cathedral. We stopped at a delicious boulangerie next to it, the Boulangerie de la Cathedrale And everything we ordered was delicious! We had to order the... kouign amann, a typical regional sweet, and I liked it very much.
We walked around the town center for a bit and stopped to buy Ju an ice cream at... Sanchez. After that sugar boost, it was easy to walk them back to the car, which was about 30 minutes away.
We hit the road to Cancale, And of course they slept in the car during those 20 minutes on the road. I also took the opportunity to rest with them in the car, while Celo wanted to explore the famous O Marché aux Huîtres de Cancale One of the most iconic places on the Brittany coast. It is located in... Port de la Houle, Right in front of the sea, with a direct view of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay. The most special thing is the setting: you eat the oysters sitting on the harbor wall, with the tide changing in front of you and the landscape of the bay.
When the children woke up, we joined Celo at the market and ate some fresh oysters overlooking the oyster beds. I was amazed at how the tide came in in such a short time. The children loved throwing the oyster shells on the sand, a practice recommended by the oyster vendors. That's why the sand on that beach looks different, look:
As the time for our restaurant reservation approached The Marine, We walked along the shore to the restaurant. With its welcoming atmosphere, a ceiling that resembles the bottom of a boat, and delicious seafood, we had a lovely dinner. We ordered the famous homard bleu (blue lobster) and also a large crab, and to my surprise, I liked the crab more. The lobster was tasty too, but I love the experience of cracking open a crab, so I think that's what made me enjoy the second one more. We left there very happy with the day and returned to our apartment.
Day 4 – Sunday (05/04/2026)
Easter Sunday! We woke up early and to our surprise, the Easter bunny had left chocolate eggs all over the house, so it was a real party collecting them all. We had breakfast in a bit of a hurry, packed our things and checked out before 8:30 am, because we wanted to arrive early at Mont-Saint-Michel.
We drove for about 40 minutes to get there and were happy to see that the parking lots were still empty. We walked to the shuttle station – we could have walked there too, but they don't recommend it with children because the climb up Mont is a bit strenuous – and in less than 20 minutes we were on the free bus.
The bus stopped at a point on the bridge, and we walked about 5 minutes from there to this rocky island crowned by a medieval abbey, which seems to "float" between the sea and the sky. We arrived at high tide and strolled leisurely along the main street, full of snack bars and cute little shops, until we reached the abbey. We had bought tickets to visit the abbey in advance. on the official website We planned to go a little later, as we had thought about attending Easter Mass beforehand, but at the last minute we decided against it – as it would have been entirely in French – and went straight to visit the abbey. I thought it was great that they didn't turn us away because of the wrong time.
A summary of this place: A Mont Saint-Michel Abbey It was built starting in the 8th century and was dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael, who, according to legend, appeared to Bishop Aubert and ordered the construction of the sanctuary. It is UNESCO World Heritage Site It can be reached via stairs (lots of them!) and narrow corridors, offering incredible views of the bay and the tidal phenomenon.
We left happy with the visit and went for a walk along the seawall, enjoying a beautiful view of the island's surroundings. It was amazing how quickly the tide went out…
We decided to have lunch at the restaurant. La Mere Poulard After my mother-in-law recommended the delicious, but expensive, crepes there, we were lucky to get a table when we arrived, as the restaurant was full, and we had a wonderful meal!
A little history of this place: The recipe originated because pilgrims arrived tired and hungry at the mountain, often without a predictable schedule due to the tides. Annette then created a quick, extremely airy omelet, prepared in large hammered copper bowls. To this day, it is made in front of customers, beaten by hand and cooked over an open fire, and is considered by many to be a masterpiece. “"The most famous omelet in the world.".
We left the island on foot and saw some people doing a guided tour of walking along the seabed during low tide, crossing sand, shallow water, and muddy areas around the mound. The bay is famous for its rapid tidal changes and quicksand zones, so it's not safe to do alone. I had read about it, but I didn't find it that interesting for us, but it's a tip for anyone who might be interested.
We walked leisurely to our car with the children playing with their newly acquired medieval toys and drove along roads lined with canola fields to our second accommodation in La Cambe, near the Normandy beaches. We stayed at Gîte de la Grenouille, A two-bedroom house on a farm, with cute frog decorations and everything we needed. Since we had stopped along the way at one of the few open markets, we had pasta with ready-made sauce and a nice French wine for dinner in the comfort of our home.
Day 5 – Monday (06/04/2026)
A day to see things from World War II, much to Celo's delight!
Waking up calmly, we had breakfast and set off to explore the Normandy region, starting first with the Maisy Battery. Unlike traditional D-Day museums, here it's possible to walk through original trenches, bunkers, and tunnels used by the Germans during World War II. The site remained hidden under vegetation for decades and today offers a much more immersive and silent experience, almost like stepping back in time.
It was really interesting to see some things up close and read the signs, but after an hour the kids and I wanted to leave, much to Celo's disappointment. We stayed a little longer and then went to an attraction called... Pont du Roc, which also played an important role during World War II, when it was integrated into the German defensive system of the Atlantic Wall. At the time, the region was fortified with bunkers and observation points to protect the coast from possible Allied invasions. Today, it is still possible to see some vestiges of these structures mixed into the landscape, recalling the area's military past.
I found the energy of the place heavy, I can't explain it, and I was really happy when we left. We went to Omaha Beach for lunch and ate a good burger at... D-Day House Omaha Beach.
We strolled along the beach, stopped at some memorials to read the plaques and take photos, and then went to... Overlord Museum, This exhibit is dedicated to D-Day. The space is organized in an immersive way, with recreated scenes showing soldiers, tanks, and the daily life of war, helping to better understand the events of the Normandy landings. It's very comprehensive and I found it interesting for children too, mainly because Celo had the patience to explain everything. 🙂
We tried to go to Normandy American Cemetery which was nearby, but it had already closed, so we went back home to rest and have dinner.
Day 6 – Tuesday (07/04/2026)
Another day dedicated to World War II.
We had coffee and went straight to Saint-Mère-Église, St. John Steele, a small town in Normandy that became famous during D-Day in World War II. It was one of the first towns liberated by American paratroopers in the early morning of June 6, 1944. The most well-known episode involves paratrooper John Steele, whose parachute became entangled in the church tower, a scene that became one of the symbols of the Normandy landings.
We took some pictures, went into the church, and then Celo and Patrick went to... Airborne Museum, dedicated to the paratroopers of D-Day, with immersive exhibits that recreate the Normandy invasion in 1944. Ju and I stayed in the car listening to music and playing pretend, and they had fun there.
We drove to the restaurant Chez Arsene, where we had delicious meats for lunch in a very welcoming atmosphere.
We headed to Utah Beach, where I decided to stay and play with the children on the beach, and Celo went to see the... Crisbecq Battery Celo liked this one more than Maisy's – we spent a few hours in the area. When we got tired of being on the windy beach, we went to have hot chocolate at the café. Le Roosevelt.
When Celo arrived, we went inside. Utah Beach Landing Museum And we stayed until closing time. I confess that the children and I were already tired of seeing war-related things, but it was good to see Celo happy seeing everything here and there that he had wanted to see for so long.
We left there and went to the La Cambe German War Cemetery , And since the children fell asleep in the car and I'm not a big fan of cemeteries, the three of us stayed to rest while Celo went to see everything he wanted.
We went back home and had pasta for dinner, much to everyone's delight. 🙂
Day 7 – Wednesday (08/04/2026)
Last day visiting war sites. Phew! lol
We had coffee and packed our things to check out. The good thing about having little luggage is that this process is very quick!
The first stop was at Normandy American Cemetery. The museum entrance is very impressive, both in terms of size and the care taken with the garden.
Then we went to the Longues-sur-mer Battery And while Celo was visiting the bunkers, the children and I went to buy sandwiches at a very simple restaurant called Le Chalet Gourmand. They were delicious!
We then drove to Bayeux, We visited its cathedral, known for its medieval architecture and for having originally been built to house the famous Bayeux Tapestry. What beautiful stained glass windows!
Afterwards, we had ice cream and walked around the town center a bit until we got back to the car. We hit the road towards Honfleur, but on the way we stopped to watch a short film summarizing the Battle of Normandy in 360 degrees. Arromanches 360. It was a different experience because we stood in a circular cinema with the film playing from all angles. The children were given headphones to muffle the sounds of bombings a bit, and thankfully there wasn't much dialogue or shocking scenes. It was really designed for all ages.
We then went to Beuvron-en-Auge, A BEAUTIFUL medieval village that my mother-in-law recommended! Since the children were sleeping, we thought it best not to stop for a stroll and just drove slowly through the little streets. Look how cute it is:
We arrived at our third accommodation of the trip., L'Escale du Vieux Port – 1st floor – Airco, We stayed in Honfleur and were enchanted by the village. Our one-bedroom apartment was very cozy, and of all our accommodations, this was our favorite.
We went out for dinner on foot and went to a restaurant recommended by our host, the L'Homme de Bois, Simply wonderful! What a lovely atmosphere, impeccable service, and delicious food. We loved everything and highly recommend it. We walked happily back home. How good it is to be able to walk at night and not feel afraid….
Day 8 – Thursday (09/04/2026)
We had coffee and went out to explore. Etretat, the famous place in France with the white cliffs. I think I first saw a picture of those cliffs about 10 years ago and I remember really wanting to see them, so imagine my excitement when I finally went.
We arrived in the village and first went to the tourist center to get information about the trails. We parked the car in a paid parking space on the street and walked to the beach, from where we could see the beginning of the two trails that the lady had recommended. On the way, we stopped at a cute snack bar called Le Petit Accent And we bought sandwiches to have a picnic-style lunch on the trails.
The children couldn't wait and ate right there on the sidewalk, since there weren't any tables inside. When we arrived at the beach, I was enchanted by the view of the white stone elephant. Just look:
The children played a little on the playground while we enjoyed a few minutes of peace, romance, and appreciation of beauty, but then Ju hurt herself on the seesaw and we went back to our usual parental modus operandi. It is what it is…
We set off on the first trail, which started on the right and climbed up to a small church, also offering a view of the elephant. What a tough climb! Luckily, I had already started going to the gym a few weeks prior. I wasn't too out of breath, and the kids did great!
When we got to the top, of course we took lots of pictures and enjoyed the view. We decided to sit on the steps of the church, which was closed, and ate our delicious sandwiches in peace. Ju found a ladybug and played with it for hours, and Paddy gathered some pebbles and made a competition between them. It was cute to see the two of them playing side by side with completely different things. 🙂
We walked a little further along the trail and saw other cliffs, and then went down to enjoy the pebble beach. Since it was cold, we obviously didn't go in the water, but we spent an hour there listening to the sound of the waves and the pebbles crashing against each other with the movement of the sea. What a breathtakingly beautiful place!! Some photos:
We decided not to do the second trail to the other side because we were at peace there. We walked back to the car, stopping along the way to eat some sweets and firecrackers for the children to play with, and we made noise in the streets with many people having fun with the firecrackers they threw on the ground. They are very cute, there's no denying it!
We returned to Honfleur and I wanted to visit the Saint Catherine's Church. It's very special because it was built entirely of wood by boat builders in the 15th century, which makes the interior look like the inverted hull of a ship. Celo thought it best to go back to the apartment with the children, and I had some time to myself, which was wonderful. Look how cute the church is:
When I got home, we showered and got ready to have dinner at a restaurant nearby, the L'escale. We had made a reservation beforehand and the visit was well worth it. We ate very well, received excellent service – including from a Brazilian waiter – and left very satisfied.
We walked back home once again.
Day 9 – Friday (April 10, 2026)
We had coffee and left our apartment in Honfleur heading towards... Asterix Park. We knew the park would open at 10 am, so we left early so we wouldn't miss a single minute of fun. When we parked the car at the park, I can't say who was more excited – the adults or the children. It was so great to create these memories together!
I think it's worth making a post just for Asterix Park, so if you're interested in learning more about it, click here (still under construction). It's important to say that we LOVED it and could have stayed two days there, and who knows, maybe we'll go back someday. It was spectacular!
We left when the park closed and, tired as we were, we thought it best to go straight to our new apartment, the Le Factory is near CDG I Paris I Astérix airport and have dinner there. Celo had the idea to stop by KFC and order the fried chicken, and the kids loved it! There's a first time for everything 🙂
Our one-bedroom apartment was nice, well decorated, but the building was really bad and I didn't like that they left hand towels for the children. Wtf?? Anyway…
We slept like rocks!!!
Day 10 – Saturday (April 11, 2026)
We had a leisurely breakfast and decided to have a relaxed morning at home, without any commitments. The weather was cloudy and we were tired from so many busy days, so this little bit of relaxation was good for everyone. We left around lunchtime and, incredibly, we wanted to eat salads. We found a place inside a Leclerc supermarket where you can assemble your fresh salad on the spot, and that's where we ate. We ordered our salads, soups, and some sandwiches for the children and left happy to have had a simple, healthy, and inexpensive meal.
We continue to the Chateau de Chantilly And when we went to the ticket booth to buy the tickets, we saw that there would be a horse show soon, so we went straight to the stables. What a beautiful building on the outside and smelly on the inside…lol.
We saw the horses, strolled through the small museum, bought a few things at the cafeteria, and sat in the audience to watch the show. We had high expectations, and I think that was the mistake. The show started, and we realized it was entirely in French, with zero English translation. Few movements from the horses, many words spoken by the women who accompanied and trained them. Trot here, lift a hoof there, lower your head, gallop, run like this, do that… in short. A boring show, incomprehensible to us, and much longer than we would have liked. I think it was the longest 40 minutes of the trip…
We left there quite frustrated, but we went into what is considered... (the context is unclear). One of the most elegant castles in France, surrounded by gardens, lakes, and forests. The site blends Renaissance architecture, impressive art collections, and the famous Grand Stables of Chantilly, linked to French equestrian tradition. It houses one of the largest art collections in France, with works by Raphael, Delacroix, and other European masters, and the gardens were created by André Le Nôtre, the same landscape architect of Versailles. Oh, and the famous traditional version of Chantilly cream originated there and can be sampled in the castle's cafes.
We strolled leisurely through the art-filled rooms and then through the gardens, returning to the car just as it began to rain.
We drove to the village of Senlis, We had read that it was medieval and charming, and we spent some time in the car so the children could rest from their nap. I stopped at the market to buy our dinner – some delicious ready-made meals, by the way – and when the children woke up, we took a stroll in the town center and went inside. Cathedrale Notre-Dame of Senlis. It's always good to be grateful for everything we have and are, isn't it?
We returned to the apartment and had our last dinner on French soil in the comfort of our final accommodation of the trip. Shower and bed!
Day 11 – Sunday (April 12, 2026)
We had coffee, packed our things to leave, and left the apartment late in the morning to catch our flight from Orly airport, which was an hour away. We returned the car, had a leisurely lunch, and before dark we were at our house in Cascais.
Another trip creating beautiful memories with them. Thank you, God!
