clearA week in Normandy is the perfect amount of time to alternate between spectacular cliffs, charming villages, walks along the seashore, and long days at home. From La Villa Marcelle, every morning can be the starting point for a new adventure.
Here’s our favorite itinerary for exploring the region’s most beautiful scenery, without ever forgetting the joy of slowing down, cooking together, and making the most of our time at home.
Day 1 — Arrive and Take Your Time
The first day begins the moment you walk through the doors of La Villa Marcelle.
We take a look at the rooms, choose the one that will be ours for the week, and open the windows overlooking the park. The kids are already starting to explore the house, while the adults unpack their bags and take a moment to relax.
After the trip, there's no need to leave right away.
We prepare a snack or some cold drinks, then settle down in the garden. Some go for a walk in the park, while others prefer to read, relax, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
At the end of the day, we gather in the kitchen to prepare our first dinner of the trip. Everyone pitches in: we chop vegetables, set the table, and open a bottle of cider or wine.
When the weather permits, we extend our meal outdoors. Otherwise, we take advantage of the warmth and cozy atmosphere of the house to set up a large dinner table.
This first evening sets the tone for the week: spending time together, without rushing.
Day 2 — A Perfect Day in Étretat
For our first big getaway, we're heading to Étretat and its famous cliffs.
We recommend arriving in the morning, before the crowds arrive. Start by exploring the village, its covered market, and its narrow streets, before heading to the beach.
From the pebbles, your gaze immediately takes in the Aval cliff, its monumental arch, and the Aiguille rising up facing the sea.
We then head uphill along the marked trails. The climb takes a bit of effort, but the view makes every step worthwhile. The white cliffs, meadows, and the shifting hues of the English Channel come together to create a spectacular landscape.
After the walk, we head back down to the village for lunch—fish, a galette, or some Norman specialties.
You can spend the afternoon at the Étretat Gardens, which combine living sculptures, contemporary art, and magnificent views of the sea. Literature lovers can also explore Le Clos Lupin, the home of Maurice Leblanc, and the world of Arsène Lupin.
Before leaving, we head back to the beach one last time to watch the light fade over the cliffs.
Back at La Villa Marcelle, the evening is meant to be simple: a dinner we’ll prepare together and a few memories from the day shared around the table.
Day 3 — Le Havre: Where Architecture Meets the Open Sea
On the third day, set out to explore an amazing and often overlooked city.
The morning begins in the rebuilt city center of Le Havre, with a cup of coffee near City Hall. We then walk down Avenue Foch to admire the architecture of Auguste Perret, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The walk continues to Saint-Joseph Church. Behind its monumental architecture, its stained-glass windows create a delicate and ever-changing play of light.
A few streets away, the white curves of Oscar Niemeyer’s Volcano contrast with the city’s geometric lines.
For lunch, head to Sainte-Adresse and the restaurant La Bise, where you can enjoy seasonal cuisine accompanied by a beautiful view of the sea.
In the afternoon, we head to the MuMa to explore its Impressionist collections. Boudin, Monet, Pissarro, and Dufy depict the ports, beaches, and skies of Normandy.
After leaving the museum, walk along the waterfront to the beach, then continue your stroll toward Sainte-Adresse.
The day ends at Le Bout du Monde, with a drink and some treats to share as we watch the sun set.
Day 4 — Enjoying La Villa Marcelle
After several days of exploring, it's time to slow down.
We start the morning with a hearty breakfast: fresh bread, pastries, jams, seasonal fruit, and coffee—all enjoyed without worrying about the time.
Early risers can head to a nearby market to pick up some local products: Norman cheeses, vegetables, fish, honey, cider, or apple juice.
Back home, everyone plans their day however they like.
You can go for a walk in the park and the forest, play games with the kids, read in the garden, or just relax. Long meals, conversations, and naps are also part of the vacation.
At lunchtime, we cook with the ingredients we brought back from the market. A big salad, a few kinds of cheese, an apple tart, and fresh bread are all it takes to put together a simple yet delicious meal.
The afternoon unfolds at our own pace. We bake a cake for an afternoon snack, play, take pictures of the park, or start our aperitif a little earlier than planned.
At the end of the day, anyone who’d like to can head to the coast for a walk at sunset.
Then everyone gathers at La Villa Marcelle for a grand candlelit dinner.
Day 5 — Honfleur and Deauville: The Two Faces of the Côte Fleurie
This day offers the chance to experience two very different sides of Normandy.
We’ll start with Honfleur, preferably in the morning, when the Vieux Bassin is still peaceful. The narrow houses are reflected in the water, and the boats rock gently along the docks.
After having a coffee overlooking the harbor, we wander through the narrow streets of the Sainte-Catherine neighborhood. Galleries, boutiques, historic facades, and artists’ studios come together to create a charming setting.
We enter the Church of St. Catherine, built of wood by shipwrights, and then head to the Eugène-Boudin Museum to discover the painters inspired by the light of the estuary.
After lunch, we're off to Deauville.
We walk past the Anglo-Norman villas before reaching the famous Planches, with their cabanas bearing the names of artists from the American Film Festival and the beach’s colorful umbrellas.
Depending on your preferences, you can spend the rest of the afternoon at Les Franciscaines, visiting an exhibition, or going for a horseback ride on the sand. The horseback ride must be reserved in advance and is subject to tide and weather conditions.
We finish with a drink overlooking the beach, as the light softens, before heading back to La Villa Marcelle.
For a more relaxed day, Honfleur and Deauville can, of course, be explored separately.
Day 6 — Fécamp and Yport: A Different Take on the Alabaster Coast
After Étretat, set out to discover another side of the Alabaster Coast.
The day begins in Fécamp, a seaside town surrounded by high cliffs. We walk along the harbor before visiting the Palais Bénédictine, a spectacular building where history, art, and craftsmanship come together.
We then head to Cap Fagnet to admire one of the region’s most beautiful panoramic views. From the heights, the view takes in the city, the harbor, and the vast expanse of the English Channel.
For lunch, we choose a table near the boats and enjoy the catch of the day or seafood.
In the afternoon, we're heading to Yport.
More intimate than Étretat, this small village nestled between the cliffs features a pebble beach and old fishermen’s houses. Take a stroll along the water’s edge, admire the colorful huts, and treat yourself to a break on a terrace.
Those who are more athletic can hike part of the coastal trail, staying on the designated paths and keeping a safe distance from the edge of the cliffs.
As the sun begins to set, the cliffs take on a golden hue. We linger for a few more minutes facing the sea before heading back to La Villa Marcelle for the last big night of our stay.
Day 7 — One last morning at home
The last day always comes a little too soon.
We open the shutters onto the park one last time and prepare breakfast with what’s left from the market: bread, jams, some fruit, and a piece of Normandy cheese.
We're slowly packing our bags, but we're still taking a little time to enjoy the house.
We take one last walk in the park, gather the kids together for a family photo, and make sure no one has left their favorite book behind in a bedroom.
Before we leave, we promise each other we'll come back.
Because a week at La Villa Marcelle is about more than just the places you visit. It’s also defined by shared meals, long conversations, impromptu walks, and all those simple moments that stay with you.
What if the weather changes?
In Normandy, the light and the sky are part of the experience. A day can start out cloudy and end with a magnificent sunset.
If it rains, swap your walk for a visit to the MuMa, the Franciscaines, the Eugène-Boudin Museum, the Palais Bénédictine, or the LH Port Center.
You can also choose to stay at La Villa Marcelle to cook, play, read, and enjoy the house to the fullest.
The best program is the one you're willing to change.
Claire's Tips
Book the most popular activities in advance, including horseback riding, harbor tours, museums, and restaurants you don't want to miss.
Check the tide tables before any coastal hike and always stay on the marked trails. Do not approach the edge of the cliffs or walk at their base when access is prohibited.
Alternate busy days with quieter moments at home. Villa Marcelle isn’t just a starting point for excursions—it’s an integral part of your stay.
Finally, always leave room for the unexpected. A flea market you happen to spot along the way, a beach you discover by chance, or a lunch that goes on longer than planned are often among your fondest memories.
Seven days spent among cliffs, villages, the light of Normandy, and shared moments, with La Villa Marcelle as our vacation home.
