Dieppe to Mont-Saint-Michel

In the North of France, bordering the English Channel, lies Normandy. Invaded by Vikings in the 8th century AD, birthplace to William the Conqueror, home to all five D-Day beaches, the gothic Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, and Impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840-1926), Normandy is a fantastic place for history buffs. Both rich in history and rugged in coastline, Normandy attracts tourists from all over the world.

The Normandy road trip we recommend takes you from Dieppe to Mont-Saint-Michel, which is around 309 kilometres (192 miles) and takes around 3 hours 27 minutes door to door. Hiring a car for this road trip? Don’t forget your car hire excess insurance policy from ReduceMyExcess! Please note that this route includes toll roads and motorways.

Dieppe

Rural and underrated, we suggest beginning your Normandy road trip in Dieppe. This charming fishing port has colourful boats lining the marina and is the hub of fishing. Like much of Normandy, Dieppe is also steeped in art and history, meaning there is plenty to explore.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Dieppe on a Saturday morning, then you can’t miss the vibrant market with stalls that stretch from the Grand Rue to the Place du Puits-Salé. For nature lovers, venture to the GR21 hiking trail as it showcases the best of Dieppe’s protected flora and fauna.

Dieppe is celebrated for its seafood, particularly the scallops. Local dishes such as Marmite Dieppoise, a stew of shellfish and white in a creamy Normandy sauce, Sole à la Dieppoise served with a white wine sauce of shrimps, mushrooms and mussels, and Lisette à la Dieppoise, mackerel marinated in cider, are served proudly in traditional French restaurants.