Rooms With A View: Normandy (And Some Travel Outfits)

French country garden Normandy

Well, in this case, “view from the front door,” as we were staying in Sharon Santoni’s lovely guest cottage. I’ll be writing more about the cottage and sharing more photos of this gorgeous garden soon.

countryside near Honfleur France

There’s a kind of hazy quality to the light here that makes everything look a little blurry and magical. The view above is from our second Normandy location, which I’ll also write about upon our return home. This was taken Saturday when we arrived, but today we have more clouds and a few sprinkles.

We’re been on the go since we landed in France a few days ago, but also trying to enjoy a little down time. I’ve taken SO many photos and will need to do several posts to recap some of what we’ve seen and done here, but it’s been fabulous so far!

In the meantime, I’ll share a couple of outfits I’ve worn using my travel wardrobe pieces:

blue and olive travel outfit

I decided to wear some color for our visit to Giverny and Monet’s house and gardens. The afternoon was warm, especially in the sun, so this linen top (similar) was a perfect choice. Pants are from J.Crew from last year, here’s the same style (different colors now available,). More about the shoes here.

black and white dinner outfit

It was a warm evening when we went to dinner in Honfleur. I wore a linen shirt as a “third piece” over black separates, and added layered necklaces to finish the look.

shirt | tank | pants | necklace | necklace | bag | sandals (similar)

casual sightseeing outfit for Normandy coast

What a thrill it was to visit Le-Mont-Saint-Michel! Our weather turned from warm and sunny to cooler and breezy. I’d packed this lightweight rain jacket (sold out now, here’s a similar one) on impulse at the last minute, and it was perfect for casual sightseeing…windproof but not too warm or heavy. (I’ll probably wear it again today, as there’s some rain in the forecast.)

jacket (similar) | top (similar) | jeans

We have another day of sightseeing here in Normandy, and then it’s off to PARIS!!

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24 Comments

  1. I love the photos–especially the one of you at Mont St. Michel. You just look so relaxed and the whole look is great! Cannot wait till you hit Paris! Safe and fun continued travels.

  2. Don’t be surprised if a stranger stops you to ask for directions. You look like a local.
    I love your leopard loafers. There’s a name for that kind of slipper, but I can’t remember it now. I had a pair but they finally gave up the ghost. Must get another pair. They go with everything.

  3. Susan, you’re the most stylish person there! Love your outfits.
    Just FYI, the link to the jacket takes us to a pair of pants instead.
    So glad you are having a lovely vacation.

  4. Could you possibly re-link to the jacket? A pair of Eileen Fisher pants comes up when I click on either link.

  5. Susan you just look fabulous! I love your new short haircut! The photos are gorgeous and I look forward to hearing and seeing more. <3

  6. Mint St. Michel is one of my favorite spots on earth. First went in 1966 before it was quite as crowded and the abbey was fairly untouched…just light at night. A truly amazing place where the untrained eye can see all three styles of architecture just by raising one’s eyes to the heavens. I have the Mont St. Michel medallion from French Kande! Have fun.

  7. Once again, you are my guru – you take the most lovely pictures and you look Tu es très belle. I loved Normandy and we stayed at the Hotel Villa Lara in Bayeux. Our room had a view of the Cathedral at Bayeux – and as Art History is my passion, needless to say, I spent a great deal of time viewing it…more than once! My husband, as a working Historian, of course, was in his element exploring all of the WWII sites and talking to all the veterans we encountered during our 2009 tour and again in 2015. Please post more pics!

  8. I love your lightweight jacket. There have been too many times when I’ve gone on vacation assuming the weather would be warm, and for some crazy reasons it turns cool or rainy. I’ve learned my lesson, and now I always pack a lightweight jacket. Yours has great style! You look fabulous. Cheers, Deborah

  9. Everything looks fantastic – you, the scenery, Sharon’s cottage! – I hope you’re having a wonderful time.

  10. Looks like you and Le Monsieur are having a wonderful time. So crazy, that when you get home, you’ll have plenty of time to post more of your photos–and experiences, since you are now full-time Une Femme, content creator!!! I can’t wait 🙂

  11. You have that wonderful effortlessly chic look that I so admire. Relaxed, not fussy, but chic. Beautiful photos too.

  12. So,I know this is random,do you remember what the business behind you in the photo in Honfleur was?It looks really interesting. Thank you.

    Heidi in H.B.

  13. Hi- do you find your Givenchy bag good for traveling? Big enough but not too heavy? Do you have the small or medium? Every time I see your bag I think I want it!
    Thx for your wonderful blog,
    Deborah

    1. Hi Deborah, yes I love this bag for travel! Mine’s the small. It’s heavier than a nylon bag, but dresses up enough to go out in the evening without changing bags. I try to keep the weight down by not loading it up too much for daytime use, but it still holds everything I usually need.

      1. Thanks for your response, Susan! I am going on the Sharon Santoni tour in September to Normandy. Trying to decide whether to take ankle boots. Thoughts?

        1. Hi Deborah, you might check with Sharon, but I’ve found I rarely go wrong by bringing a comfortable pair of ankle boots.