France offers countless places worth visiting, but few trips can combine the atmosphere of a great European city, world-famous landmarks, a theme park, dramatic coastline, beautiful beaches and powerful reminders of the history of the Second World War. That is exactly what our journey was about, taking us first to Paris and then by train to Normandy.
While Paris captivated us with its monumental architecture and unique atmosphere, Normandy surprised us with the beauty of its countryside, coastline and charming towns. It was here that we realised that France is about far more than just Paris.

Paris from the Top of the Eiffel Tower
Our journey began in Paris, where we visited many of the French capital's most famous sights. One of the highlights was, of course, the Eiffel Tower.
We did not simply admire its famous iron structure from the streets and parks below. We went all the way to the top, where we were rewarded with spectacular views across Paris. From this height, the city looked completely different – its neighbourhoods, broad boulevards, historic buildings and the winding River Seine forming an impressive urban panorama.
The Eiffel Tower may be one of the world's most recognisable landmarks, but seeing it in person makes its appeal even greater. The views from the upper levels were certainly among the moments we will remember for a long time.

An Underwater World Near the Eiffel Tower
Just a short distance from the Eiffel Tower, we also visited the Paris Aquarium. After the hustle and bustle of the city, exploring the underwater world provided a pleasant change of pace.
The aquarium offers visitors the chance to discover a fascinating variety of marine and freshwater creatures and is particularly appealing to families with children. Its location also makes it easy to combine a visit with the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding area.

Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre
Of course, we could not leave Paris without seeing some of its other iconic landmarks. We stopped at Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the enduring symbols of the French capital.
Another highlight was the Arc de Triomphe, the monumental landmark standing at Place Charles de Gaulle. Here, too, you get a real sense of the scale of Paris and the grandeur of its famous avenues.
We were equally impressed by the area around the Louvre. The famous glass pyramid has become one of the modern symbols of the museum, and its striking contrast with the historic architecture of the surrounding palace creates one of the most recognisable views in Paris.

Paris from the River
We also explored Paris from a different perspective, taking a boat trip along the River Seine. Seeing the city from the water offers an entirely different experience from walking through its streets.
During the cruise, we were able to admire historic buildings, bridges and some of Paris's most famous landmarks from the comfort of the boat. The Seine also naturally links many of the city's attractions, making a river cruise a convenient way to see a great deal in a relatively short time.
It was one of those experiences that is well worth including even in a busy sightseeing itinerary. Paris really is beautiful from the river.

A Full Day at Disneyland
We also added a completely different kind of experience to our Paris itinerary with a visit to Disneyland Paris. We spent the entire day there – and that turned out to be exactly the right decision.
Disneyland is not somewhere you can comfortably explore in just a few hours. With its attractions, themed areas, shows and other experiences, a full day passes surprisingly quickly.
After several days among Paris's historic landmarks, it was a welcome change of pace – and perhaps a chance to rediscover a little of the child in us.

From Paris to Normandy by Train
After exploring Paris, we took the train to Caen, one of the major towns in Normandy. We hired a car there, which proved to be an ideal way to explore the region's coastline and surrounding countryside over the following three days.
Normandy has a completely different character from Paris. The bustle of the capital gives way to a more relaxed atmosphere, green countryside, charming towns and, above all, a spectacular coastline that is one of the region's greatest attractions.

Étretat and the White Cliffs of the Alabaster Coast
One of the highlights of our stay was a visit to Étretat. This picturesque seaside town is famous above all for its spectacular white chalk cliffs.
The cliffs of the Alabaster Coast are truly impressive. The combination of sea, towering white rock formations and green countryside creates a landscape that looks almost too perfect to be real.
Étretat is the kind of place where it pays not to rush. Walking along the coast, stopping at a viewpoint and simply watching the sea is enough to appreciate the scenery. It is easy to understand why this part of Normandy is one of France's most popular coastal destinations.

Charming Cabourg and the Beaches of Normandy
Another place that pleasantly surprised us was Cabourg. We were immediately taken by the atmosphere of this charming seaside resort and its beautiful coastline.
The beaches themselves became one of the most enjoyable parts of our stay in Normandy. Although our main aim was to explore the region, we ended up spending a great deal of time by the sea.
The Normandy coast has a character all of its own. Wide sandy beaches, the sea and often dramatic skies create the perfect setting for relaxing and simply switching off from everyday life.

Normandy and the History of D-Day
Normandy, however, is about far more than beautiful beaches and seaside towns. It was also the scene of one of the most important events of the Second World War.
On 6 June 1944, the Allied invasion, known as D-Day, began here. During our stay, we therefore wanted to visit some of the places associated with this pivotal chapter in European history.
One of them was Le Grand Bunker – Museum of the Atlantic Wall in Ouistreham. The museum is housed in an original German command bunker and tells the story of the Atlantic Wall and the events surrounding the Allied landings.
Visiting places like this makes history feel very different from reading about it in a textbook. Standing in locations where dramatic events took place more than eighty years ago gives history a much more immediate and tangible quality.

Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery
Another particularly moving experience was visiting the area around Omaha Beach. This was one of the most fiercely contested and costly sectors of the Allied landings.
We also visited the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, one of the most striking memorial sites dedicated to the American servicemen who died during the fighting in Normandy.
The vast cemetery, with its thousands of white headstones, is an incredibly powerful sight. Its setting, overlooking the sea and surrounded by beautiful countryside, creates a poignant contrast with the events commemorated here.
At Omaha Beach, we also visited memorials dedicated to the victims of the war. It is difficult to remain unaffected when standing in such a place, particularly when you consider the enormous human cost of the operation that would ultimately help determine the course of the war in Europe.

Three Days That Passed Far Too Quickly
Our three days in Normandy passed incredibly quickly. In such a short time, we could only experience a fraction of what the region has to offer.
It is precisely the combination of spectacular scenery, long beaches, charming towns and extraordinary historical significance that gives Normandy its distinctive character.
Although we had originally seen Normandy simply as one part of our journey through France, it gradually became one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip.

Back to Paris
Before flying home, we returned to Paris for one final evening. It gave us the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of the French capital one last time before our journey came to an end.
Paris and Normandy offered us two completely different visions of France. On one side was a magnificent city filled with iconic landmarks, museums, grand boulevards and constant movement. On the other was a quieter Normandy, with its dramatic coastline, picturesque towns, beautiful beaches and places that bear witness to one of the most important events in modern European history.

We Would Love to Return to Normandy
Our journey through France eventually came to an end, but Normandy left such a strong impression on us that we would very much like to return in the future.
Next time, we would like to allow more time to explore the region and perhaps combine the trip with a visit to Brittany. This neighbouring region is often said to be just as enchanting as Normandy – and, according to some, even more so.
And so, as our journey drew to a close, we were already thinking about where our next French adventure might take us. France is certainly not a country that can be truly discovered in a single visit.

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