Paris will always be one of my favorite cities. But after visiting several times, I've learned that some of the most memorable travel experiences happen when you venture beyond the city itself.

During our September trip to France, we decided to spend a day exploring Normandy. Rather than booking an organized tour, we rented a car in Paris and planned our own road trip through the French countryside, with stops in the historic city of Rouen and the charming coastal town of Honfleur.

It was an opportunity to experience a completely different side of France, from medieval architecture and centuries of European history to picturesque harbor streets and little discoveries along the way.

And while renting a car in Paris came with a few surprises, having the freedom to explore on our own schedule was exactly what we wanted.

Renting a Car in Paris for Our Normandy Day Trip

We started our morning at Paris Gare du Nord train station, where we picked up our rental car from Enterprise at 9 AM.

If you're an American planning to rent a car in France, there are a few things I would recommend knowing before making your reservation.

First, make sure you book an automatic transmission.

My husband initially selected a manual transmission vehicle, and we had to change the reservation to an automatic. Unlike in the United States, where automatic transmissions are standard in most rental cars, manual transmissions are still common throughout Europe.

It's a small detail that can make a big difference, especially when you're already navigating unfamiliar roads.

Second, understand that a European SUV isn't necessarily what Americans picture when they hear SUV.

We requested a seven-seater, thinking we'd have something similar to a traditional American three-row SUV.

Instead, we received a Renault with two rear seats that faced backward!

It was definitely a different configuration than we expected.

If you're traveling with children or a larger group, pay attention to the vehicle's actual seating arrangement and luggage capacity rather than relying solely on the SUV designation or number of seats.

Driving Out of Paris: What You Should Know

One thing I wasn't fully prepared for was just how challenging it would be to drive out of Paris.

Between the traffic, busy intersections, and unfamiliar roads, getting out of the city took considerably longer than we anticipated.

And the traffic lights were an adjustment. Unlike the larger, more noticeable traffic signals we're accustomed to in the United States, the lights in Paris are much smaller and can be surprisingly easy to miss. They also change quickly, so you really have to pay attention.

Navigating all of that while trying to leave a busy European capital isn't exactly the relaxing beginning you might imagine for a countryside road trip. My biggest recommendation is to allow plenty of extra time when leaving Paris. Even with a planned itinerary, traffic and navigating unfamiliar streets can make the first part of your journey slower than expected.

Fortunately, once we made our way out of the city, the experience changed considerably.

Taking the Backroads Through the French Countryside

Instead of taking the toll roads from Paris to Rouen, we decided to take the backroads.

We weren't necessarily looking for the fastest way to reach Normandy. Part of the reason we rented a car was to experience more of France beyond its major cities and tourist attractions. Taking the smaller roads gave us a chance to see the French countryside and enjoy a different perspective of the country.

There's something special about traveling through a place rather than simply arriving at your destination.

Of course, avoiding toll roads can add time to your journey, particularly when you're planning to visit multiple destinations in a single day.

If you're considering a similar trip, I'd recommend deciding whether your priority is reaching Normandy as quickly as possible or enjoying the drive along the way.

For us, the journey was part of the experience.

Exploring Rouen: A City Filled with French History

Our first destination was Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy.

Rouen is known for its medieval architecture, half-timbered buildings, and connections to some of the most fascinating figures in French and English history. It's the kind of place where you can walk through centuries of history in a single afternoon.

Rouen Cathedral and Richard the Lionheart

One of the highlights of our visit was Rouen Cathedral, officially known as Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen.

The cathedral itself is remarkable, with its elaborate Gothic architecture and centuries of history. It was also famously painted by Claude Monet in a series of works capturing the building in different lighting conditions. But one of the details that made our visit especially interesting was its connection to Richard the Lionheart.

Richard I was King of England and Duke of Normandy during the 12th century. Following his death in 1199, his remains were divided among different burial locations, a practice that wasn't unusual for royalty at the time. His body was buried at Fontevraud Abbey, while his heart was interred at Rouen Cathedral.

It's one thing to read about historical figures in books. It's another to stand inside a cathedral that has been part of their story for more than 800 years.

For anyone interested in medieval European history, Rouen Cathedral is absolutely worth visiting.

Le Gros-Horloge: Rouen's Famous Astronomical Clock

Another highlight of exploring Rouen was seeing Le Gros-Horloge, the city's famous astronomical clock.

Located along Rue du Gros-Horloge, the beautiful Renaissance clock sits above an archway spanning one of Rouen's historic pedestrian streets. The clock mechanism dates back to the 14th century, and its elaborate golden dial is one of the most recognizable sights in the city. Rather than having separate hour and minute hands like a modern clock, its historic design features a single hand indicating the hour.

It's one of those landmarks that makes wandering through a European city so interesting. You can be walking along a shopping street and suddenly find yourself looking at something that's been part of the city's history for centuries.

Even if you don't tour the clock's interior, it's worth stopping to admire the architecture and take a few photographs.

Even McDonald's Is Different in France

While exploring Rouen, we stopped at McDonald's for lunch. Yes, we traveled all the way to France and ate at McDonald's!

But here's the thing. Even McDonald's feels different in France.

The food tasted noticeably fresher than what we're accustomed to in the United States, and the menu had some interesting options, including the Chicago Classic hamburger. And then there were the pastries. Macarons and croissants at McDonald's? Only in France!

It's one of those little experiences that makes international travel so interesting to me. Even something as familiar as grabbing a quick lunch can feel completely different in another country.

Would I recommend eating at McDonald's during a trip to France? Actually, yes. Not instead of experiencing French cafés and restaurants, but because comparing something familiar across cultures can be a fun part of traveling, especially with kids.

Following the History of Joan of Arc in Rouen

Another place I wanted to visit in Rouen was the Church of Saint Joan of Arc, located in Place du Vieux-Marché, the historic square where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431.

Unfortunately, the church was closed the day we visited, so we weren't able to go inside. Instead, we spent some time walking around the square and exploring the area.

That's when we came across the towering memorial cross marking the site associated with Joan of Arc's execution. The cross rises high above the square, a striking reminder of what happened here nearly 600 years ago.

Even though we couldn't enter the church, standing in a place so closely connected to one of France's most significant historical figures was memorable in its own way. It's also a reminder that you don't always have to step inside a historic building to appreciate the history surrounding it.

If you're planning to visit, I recommend checking the church's opening hours ahead of time. But even if it's closed, Place du Vieux-Marché is still worth exploring.

From Rouen to Honfleur: Discovering Coastal Normandy

After exploring Rouen, we continued our road trip to Honfleur, a charming harbor town along the Normandy coast.

Honfleur felt completely different from Rouen. Instead of grand Gothic cathedrals and medieval landmarks, we found narrow streets, colorful buildings, and a beautiful harbor that looked like something out of a painting.

We spent our time walking around town, exploring the streets, and enjoying the atmosphere. Sometimes my favorite way to experience a new destination is simply to wander without feeling like we need to rush from one attraction to the next.

Visiting Saint Catherine's Church

One of the most interesting places we visited in Honfleur was Saint Catherine's Church, known for its unusual wooden architecture.

Built primarily in the 15th century, the church is particularly famous for its ceiling, which resembles the hull of an upside-down boat. Honfleur has a long maritime history, and the church's construction reflects the shipbuilding knowledge of the local craftsmen who helped build it. Standing inside and looking up at the wooden ceiling was such a different experience from visiting Rouen Cathedral earlier in the day.

Both churches are beautiful, but in completely different ways. Rouen Cathedral is grand and elaborate, while Saint Catherine's feels connected to the coastal community and its maritime traditions.

It's absolutely worth stepping inside when visiting Honfleur.

A Little Something Sweet Along the Way

As we continued walking through town, we stopped at a streetside vendor selling nuts and candies.

Naturally, we couldn't resist picking up a few treats.

It's these little moments that I love about exploring European towns. Not everything needs to be a famous landmark or a carefully planned activity. Sometimes it's simply walking along the streets, discovering a local vendor, and enjoying something sweet while taking in your surroundings.

Between the harbor, the church, and wandering through town, Honfleur was a lovely way to finish our time exploring Normandy.

Driving Back to Paris: Toll Roads and Saving Money on Gas

After spending the day exploring Rouen and Honfleur, it was time to head back to Paris.

While we had chosen the scenic backroads for our drive to Rouen, we decided to take the toll roads for the return trip. After a full day of sightseeing, we were ready for a more direct route back to the city.

One money-saving tip I'd recommend is to think about where you'll refuel your rental car. We stopped at a gas station along the highway outside Paris rather than waiting until we were back in the city. It was a simple way to save some money before returning our rental car.

If you're planning to rent a car in France, remember to factor tolls and fuel into your budget. And if your rental agreement requires you to return the car with a full tank, plan your final gas stop accordingly.

Looking back, I liked that we experienced both types of driving. Taking the backroads gave us an opportunity to see more of the French countryside, while the toll roads made the return journey more straightforward.

Surviving the Arc de Triomphe Roundabout

And just when we thought the driving adventure was almost over, Paris had one final surprise for us.

The Arc de Triomphe roundabout.

If you've never seen this particular intersection, imagine twelve avenues converging around one of the most famous monuments in the world, with cars coming from seemingly every direction. There are no conventional painted lane markings guiding you around the circle, and drivers are constantly merging, navigating around one another, and trying to reach their exits.

It's organized chaos. Or perhaps just chaos.

And there we were, in our rental Renault, trying to make our way back to Enterprise after an entire day of driving through France. The contrast couldn't have been greater. We'd spent the morning navigating Paris traffic, enjoyed the quieter backroads through the French countryside, explored two beautiful Normandy towns, and somehow ended up driving around the Arc de Triomphe before returning our car.

Would I recommend driving through that roundabout as a tourist attraction? Absolutely not.

But it certainly gave us one final story to tell about our Normandy road trip. And after that experience, I think we earned the right to say we'd truly driven in Paris!

Is Normandy Worth Visiting on a Day Trip from Paris?

Absolutely.

If you're visiting Paris and have an extra day available, Normandy offers an opportunity to experience another side of France without needing to change hotels.

Rouen and Honfleur make a particularly interesting combination because they offer such different experiences. Rouen is ideal for anyone who loves European history, Gothic architecture, and historic city centers. Honfleur offers the charm of coastal France, with its harbor, historic buildings, and picturesque streets. That said, I would consider this a full-day excursion rather than a quick afternoon getaway.

Between picking up a rental car, navigating traffic out of Paris, driving between destinations, and returning to the city, you'll want to allow plenty of time. Taking the backroads instead of the toll roads also adds to the journey, so keep that in mind when planning your itinerary.

For our family, having the flexibility of a rental car made it possible to explore Normandy in a way that worked for us.

Final Thoughts on Our Normandy Road Trip

One of my favorite things about returning to Paris is discovering how much more there is to experience beyond the city.

I've visited Paris several times now, and while I still love revisiting familiar places, I also want to continue exploring the regions and destinations that make France so special.

Our day in Normandy gave us a chance to do exactly that.

From the history inside Rouen Cathedral and the Joan of Arc memorial to the beautiful harbor and Saint Catherine's Church in Honfleur, we experienced a side of France that felt entirely different from Paris.

And despite the challenges of getting out of the city, I'm glad we chose to rent a car and explore independently.

Sometimes the best travel memories come from taking a different road, quite literally.

If you're planning a trip to Paris, consider setting aside a day to discover Normandy. It's a beautiful reminder that there's so much more to France than its capital.