The overnight ferry crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff is a relaxing way to begin your 3 days of sightseeing in North West France. Touring the coasts and countryside of Brittany and Normandy, you'll discover beautiful sandy beaches, tiny fishing ports, bustling market towns and iconic and historical sites. Don't forget to sample Brittany's renowned seafood and delicious sweet and savoury pancakes, or Normandy cider and of course their 'hard to say no to' apple brandy, Calvados .
Day 1 takes you along the beautiful and rugged coast to Mont St Michel, a World Heritage site, visible for miles around. This is a wonderful place at any time of year, although be prepared for it to be very busy in summer. Your first hotel is just 30 minutes further along the coast at Hôtel Ibis Avranches Baie du Mont Saint-Michel. Other hotels are nearby and links for this hotel and your second night at Port en Bessin are in the individual route reviews.
Day 2 takes you first to Bayeux, world famous for its astonishing tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, remarkable as a work of art and important as a source for 11th-century history. Bayeux also has a picturesque old quarter, WW2 museum and cathedral worth visiting (park motorcycles next to cathedral).
Then you can take in the sobering atmosphere at Pegasus Bridge, liberated by the British 6th Airborne Division glider unit, a full size replica of a Horsa glider shown in the picture above is on display, and the tale of the men it transported gives you a remarkable insight into the scale, ferocity and poignancy of Operation Overlord. Arromanches' Mulberry Harbour (Port Winston) and the gun emplacements dotted along the coast that you'll visit are reminders of the combats that took place here over 70 years ago. A great night is guaranteed at your second hotel in the fishing port of Port en Bessin where you can sample local cider (cidre) some of the freshest seafood available, fine wine, and finish off with some local calvados.
Day 3 tells the American story of D-Day with visits to Omaha and Utah beaches, various museums and the first town in France to be liberated during operation Overlord - Sainte-Mère-Eglise where an effigy of private John Steele dangles by his parachute from the church steeple.
Your return to the UK is via Cherbourg, to either Poole or Plymouth depending on the time of year, most sailings are around 17:00 hrs. Details from Brittany Ferries can be found in the link in the first review.
This is a great mini tour that'll give you a good glimpse of what this part of northern France has to offer and will leave you wanting to return.