Major city · France
Saint-Lô
Half-day stop on a Normandy road trip: see the World War II memorials and the Haras National, then move on. Not a base.
Saint-Lô, the capital of Manche, was 95% destroyed in the Battle of Normandy and rebuilt as a symbol of resilience. The main draws are the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy, the Haras National (national stud farm) and the ramparts of the old town. Most travellers use it as a lunch stop between Bayeux and Mont Saint-Michel or Cherbourg.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, many sites close or have reduced hours)
- Airports
- CFR · CDG
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Lô17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Lô, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCFR Caen–Carpiquet (About 1 h drive; limited seasonal flights from the UK and southern Europe.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café crème)€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (demi / pression)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi€12–18 (≈ US$14–25)
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (city)€1.50 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Memorial Museum)€8 (≈ US$10) (check)
- Budget bedHostel bed or budget hotel room, a night, per person€40 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CFR Caen–Carpiquet (About 1 h drive; limited seasonal flights from the UK and southern Europe.) · CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (About 3 h by train via Paris Montparnasse or by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Lô: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is compact and walkable. For the stud farm and the museum, a 15–20 min walk from the ramparts. A car is needed for the surrounding countryside.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via A84, about 45 min; bus from Saint-Lô (check)
A full day; arrive before 10:00 to avoid crowds.A full day; arrive before 10:00 AM to avoid crowds.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via N174 and N13, about 45 min; train from Saint-Lô (check)
Bayeux Tapestry and the D-Day beaches.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via N174, about 50 min; train (check)
Submarine museum and Cité de la Mer.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via D999, about 40 min; bus (check)
Old town and the Christian Dior museum.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (near the ramparts)
Walkable to the museum and stud farm; limited hotels.
Along the N174 towards Cherbourg
Budget chain hotels with parking; need a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| Car rental per day (compact)2 × €40 · check | €80 |
| Fuel for 100 km1 × €15 · check | €15 |
| Museum entry (Memorial Museum)2 × €8 · check | €16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €47 |
| Trip total≈ €259 per person per day, bed included | €518≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café crème) | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Crêpe (savoury, with cider) | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) |
| Menu du jour (lunch set) | €14–20 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Beer (demi / pression) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| 5 km taxi | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Bus ticket (city) | €1.50 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| Museum entry (Memorial Museum) | €8 (≈ US$10) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Memorial Museum is closed on Mondays and in January (check).
- Haras National has seasonal opening hours; guided tours in French only (check for English).
- Sunday: most shops and many restaurants closed in the centre.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Saint-LôSaint-Lô
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Paris; the nearest consulate is in Rennes (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Saint-Lô → Bayeux by car: about 45 min, 50 km (31 mi)about 45 min, 31 mi (50 km)
- Saint-Lô → Mont Saint-Michel by car: about 45 min, 55 km (34 mi)about 45 min, 34 mi (55 km)
- Saint-Lô → Cherbourg by car: about 50 min, 60 km (37 mi)about 50 min, 37 mi (60 km)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où est le musée ? — Where is the museum? (oo ay luh myoo-zay)
- Je voudrais une crêpe, s'il vous plaît — I would like a crêpe, please (zhuh voo-dray ewn krep seel voo play)
- Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay voo ahn-glay)
Car is the easiest way to reach Saint-Lô and the surrounding region.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Lô. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (cold, many sites close or have reduced hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Memorial Museum and Haras National with verified hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages for the best crêperies and bistros.
- Day-trip pages for Mont Saint-Michel, Bayeux and Cherbourg with door-to-door times.
- Car-rental and parking fixtures for the Normandy road trip.
Sources
Ask about Saint-Lô
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