My husband and I and another couple are planning our trip for 3 weeks in October. This is first time to France, so feel we can use all the help we can get. Our plans at this point are to take a taxi from CDG to the train station for going to Normandy region. Our first stop would be Vernon and then bus to Giverny and stay one night there and then next morning bus to train and on to Rouen where we would pick up a car. It has been suggested to stay in Bayeux as that is the closest to the beaches. I inquired at the Hotel Churchill regarding room rates and it was quoted as 140 euro a night and that was their only room availability. This seems like an ideal location, but we haven%26#39;t decided for sure. We do want to visit Honfleur also and spend some time in Rouen while we are there. We have one night on the island for Mont St Michel reserved. We were told for Mont St Michel it would be worth it to stay on the island.
Any input would be much appreciated. I will most likely be sending in for more input regarding our trip. Thanks.
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You would be well advised to simply rent your car at CDG, and drive to Les Andelys [103km] and stay at the Hotel De La Chaine D%26#39;Or. This is very popular with people visiting Giverny on the way to Normandy. See the following example:
www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp…
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If you are going to get a car anyway, get it first and travel by car - much easier than depending on train bus schedules, locations, carting luggage etc. The roads and directions from CDG are not difficult to follow. Always have a good map for every region you are traveling to and around by car. The Michelin are good.
We find we don%26#39;t like to go too far when we arrive - we usually either head to Paris for a night or to a close town. Barbazon (hotel LeCle d%26quot;or) is easy as is Ermenonville(Le Prieuex)
In Bayeaux we stayed at Hotel d%26#39;Argouges (dargouges@aol.com ) ane found it well located and lovely. We have also stayed at the Lion d%26#39;Or) also nice. Bayeaux is a great base for the region - Not a lot of night life but good restauants and a nice French atmosphere
we splurged one nignt and went to the Chateau d%26#39;Audrieu for dinner - loved it.
Honfleur is a must do it is very interesting.
We have been to Mt St Micheal for a day trip - Loved it but would not want to be there overnight.
In Normandy we loved traveling the d-day routes - don%26#39;t miss Pegasus Museum and bridge-it%26#39;s easy to overlook.
A couple of things we learned through experience re: cars -
be sure the car is a large enough class to get luggage in the trunk.
be sure you learn how to work the gas cap - some are not what we are used to - again learned through experience (and an almost empty tank).
Four of us travel together often and we have found that we like to have two cars - that way not everyone has to be together all the time and you can do different trips if you want - also solves the luggage issue.
jhgrady
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Thank you Francophool and Janeharriet for your input. I was curious Janeharriet why you wouldn%26#39;t want to stay at Mont St Michel overnight?
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The Abbe itself is magnificent and worth the drive and the crowds. The town itself seemed very touristry and tacky during our time there - only one day. We loved the monastery part and the views from the top are fabulous
There did not seem to be anything to do once you had been to the top and had a walk around the walls, although the evening may bring a different feel. The restaurants did not impress us. we found Mere Poulard overpriced and pedestrian.
They have the very best cookies I have ever had - les Pallettes - they sell them in shops and there is an outlet on the way to town.
jhgrady
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Thanks Jane Harriet for your info. Our travel consultant advised us to stay on the island for MSM and not get there until after 5pm when all the day tour groups should have left. We were told that the street there is full of tacky suvenir shops, but we will ignore those. Thanks for the cookie suggestion.
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