Driving in France was really quite straightforward as there are lots of highways. All rights reserved. I absolutely loved both the Loire Valley and Normandy. Not all the rental companies ask to see an IDP, but the police will if you are in an accident or are stopped for a random check. Painted by Monet in some of his popular works, it has now become a popular tourist attraction. The 12 best (and coolest) brunch spots in Paris, The ultimate 10 day France road trip for wine lovers and foodies, 3 days in Paris - Perfect weekend city break guide, Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection. If you're working on your budget for a trip to France, I've outlined my entire budget for this trip here. Drive to Paris Drive to Paris and return your rental car to the airport. For me, this was the most interesting D-Day site I visited. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-65976996', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');France is very easy. Once I was out, all was OK - including driving on Parisian streets. How long will have in France (total days)? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-24693517', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Paris is finding the most direct route to the Peripherique, the ring road surrounding the city. Everywhere is on my travel wish list. My first experience driving on the right was to take a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? As you cross the Seine River again, take the A14 toward Rouen. The tapestry covers the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1070. Jetlag is not something to be taken lightly. Loved driving Normandy, and on over to Mont St Michel and Dinan. These German guns actually took part in shelling the nearby Omaha and Gold Beaches during D-Day. Hi Elizabeth, Yes there should be much more frequent, faster options in the summer. We found this to be incredibly easy we had plenty of time to see what we wanted to and we found our way around quite good. A highlight for me was seeing the Church of St. Catherine. Is a tour necessary for Mont St Michel or just a shuttle from the hotel will do. 1) Eurostar from London to Paris, then Train to Bayeux - Approx. The eight days will absolutely fly by. Wondering where to stay in Paris for three nights? Keep reading to find the best route to take, the best places to stay, and things to see and do on this exciting road trip. The Popeye crepe sounds so delicious! >>Check out a few of my favorites: Top 10 Things to do in Normandy. By booking ahead, the guide will meet you at the train station in Normandy and care of all the logistics to getting around Normandy. Mont Sainte Michel and the D-Day Beaches are what bring most tourists into Normandy, but its well worth it to make side trips to Brittany. A, Healthy Food When Traveling Is Healthy Travel, Wellness Travel Good Places in Europe to Re-Charge Your Batteries, Safety Tips for Travelers (Before Booking), Your Rights If Bumped From An Overbooked Flight, How To File for Compensation for Delayed / Cancelled European Flights, Do You Need to Buy Travel Insurance? so IMO the efficacy of train travel depends on where you go and if you only want to go to big cities - in which case train travel makes a lot of sense - but in rural areas like Normandy and . Depending on your timing you can either eat dinner in Dinan or on Mont St Michel. I really would have loved to spend more time exploring Brittany as the little bit I saw was gorgeous. You can reach almost all of Normandys most famous places with the motorway. As Nick says, driving to Normandy is easy. I would like to leave Bayeux and go to London without going back to Paris. Paris is a great city but it was so much fun to explore some of Frances countryside. During World War II, it was in Bayeux that Charles de Gaulle made his famous speech proclaiming Frances allegiance to the Allies. However, the journey can be very long, sometimes taking over 15 hours. With More Time: Amboise is also close to Chateau Chambord which looks stunning as well as many vineyards. Don;t let people scare you out of driving through Normandy. The popeye crepe was so yummy, I wish I could recreate it at home but I am hopeless at making crepes. We drove to Giverny, then on Honfleur where we spent the night. Drive through the Seine Estuary Natural Reserve by taking the renowned Normandy Bridge to Honfleur. Then drove up to Normandy and spent two days there. In France, the national rail system is called SNCF and trains will leave from either of two Paris stations: Gare Saint-Lazare and Gare Montparnasse / Vaugirard. like the others, if youre there for tourism i dont suggest you a car. <>. And plenty of cows that provide the substance for Normandys famous Camembert, Livarot, and Pont 1Eveque cheeses. Oh - a couple more thoughts. The Prettiest Towns in Normandy: Where Impressionist Art Was Born! As you finish three-fourths of the route on this round-trip, you will arrive at the famous town of Alenon, known for its lacemaking traditions. Get a guide book (or two) (include the HOLT book fer sure) and the reprint of the Old Michelin map that shows the battle zone. Also, if you dont speak French, ensure that the rental folks set the GPS for your native language. as a parisian im ok driving here but when i go to ny for . Woven by the wife of William the Conqueror, the Bayeux Tapestry is one of the oldest in the world that remains intact and has its own dedicated museum. It's really not a big deal to get one though. Paratroopers were dropped inland behind German lines. We are landing in Paris at 9:00 and want to head west towards Normandy (Omaha Beach) and Mont St Michel. For those coming to Normandy from an international destination, it is probably best to fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and then hop on the train to Normandy from there. It was also easy to access by car and there was plenty of cheap parking in the parking lots. That being said, driving in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? No problems driving in the city. I hired a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We have pulled together some of the must-visit attractions on this road trip. The same sign on the right pointing right means "turn right" at the first opportunity. Pls tell me if I am mistaken. No worries! 1. Note: An International Driver's Permit is a translation of the individual's home country driver's license and is not an indication of the status, restrictions or type of license the individual holds.>>. I like Gare du Nord. You covered so much ground in so little time. I feel its a great plan to take a train out of Paris and then rent a car. The primary focus of our Paris to Normandy journey was the famous D-Day beaches. It was a fantastic road trip. After a frustrating hour, we left and had as much trouble getting out as we did coming into the city. They are a US based car rental agency located in Maine. It was mid-May, a perfect time to visit Normandy (another good time to visit is in the Fall). Normandy is the countryside, so its pretty difficult to get around without a car. For peak season (July to August), SNCF will sometimes open the train schedules earlier. He knew just where to park and what was most interesting to see, plus he was very receptive to our particular interests. From tried-and-true Paris to storybook Strasbourg, these French cities never disappoint. OOTD: Comfy Casual at The Hideaway Hotel, , Review: Rosleague Manor Hotel in Connemara, Ireland, Visiting Normandy Beach in Remembrance of D-Day. Again, it was another quite satisfying meal moules, entrecote, salad, crme brulee, ice cream, and five glasses of good wine between us for 113. Also, the sight of flowers during the spring in abbeys and castles is a sight to behold. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Very helpful advice, we will be staying with some locals in their gte so will certainly ask them for specific recommendations as well. It was SO much more convenient to have all the transportation taken care of and the guides we had were excellent. I have had the opportunity to both live abroad and dofield research as a primatologist abroad. Caen today is a large industrial city, with over 100,000 inhabitants. Know to look into an international DL for Germany and France. its not easy, there are plenty of little streets, youd better have good eyes to read the names, and you can turn for an hour to find a park place (and most of the parkings in center paris are about 2 euros/hour). Once inside, the beauty of the large garden and the water lily ponds astounded everyone. Below are some places to stay, things to do, and more. At the highest tides, Mont St Michel turns into an island and is temporarily inaccessible. If youre in Paris and are looking for an exciting weekend trip, this may be it. There are buses to Paris from most capitals in Europe. Check out my guide to the Loire Valley chateaux for more information on these castles. The Circular Route from Paris through the Normandy region covers 1,180 km in about 17 hours of driving, without any stopovers or detours you might want to make. I loved exploring France beyond Paris. I will be visiting Normandy in October 2020 and cannot figure how to reach Bayeux by train from CDG airport on our day of arrival. Because this road trip is a series of beautiful destinations, a few days won't suffice to explore the region entirely. Ive been to Normandy many times, but most recently we opted to go via cruise. Required fields are marked *. A few centuries later, Normandy wavered back and forth between English and French control during the Hundred Years War. Also scattered all about Normandy are many cemeteries with the remains of the military from the U.S., Canada, England, Free French, the Commonwealth, Poland, Germany, and other nationalities. They are each relatively central to the D Day sights it simply depends on how you want to explore Normandy. Chateau dAngers is an impressive chateau with multiple towers, its absolutely huge. ), Chateau dUsse looks so idyllic . Drive to Amboise in the Loire Valley, its a fantastic place to base yourself to explore the area. First, know how to parallel park in small spaces. At all. I think it is easier to take a train to Caen and rent a car from there versus driving from Paris (and then drop your car back off in Caen and take the train back to Paris). 1. Very cool place to stay. Remember to walk in the Jardin des Personnalites and admire the Eugene Boudin Museum. A region of France marked by its creamy Camembert, hard cider and many, many cows, Normandy is a region thatlies along the English Channel coastline east ofBrittany. How would you suggest we travel ? I could have spent a whole afternoon in Monets Garden, it was such a beautiful place. Great to know. For visiting Mont Saint Michel, the closest train station is in Rennes. If you have time, make a quick stop at Vernon as it is on the way. Bayeux was virtually untouched during the Battle of Normandy. The two cities are roughly 20 miles apart, or about 30 minutes driving distance. You need about 2 hours here to properly have time to visit and see the Abbey and town. Its a very doable road trip itinerary! We spent hours there. The Circular Route is the best way to explore all the major cities en route. Hotel Le Dauphin has a terrific location near the Chateau de Caen, in the historic city center. You may also enjoy: Best Places in Paris / An Awesome Brussels Food-Filled Weekend / Things to Do in Luxembourg, The next time you visit the area be sure to visit the Peace Museum in Caen. Book as soon as you have settled on your dates it can save you nearly half price as fares will rise with time. BY FERRY. Or you could do a day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley and another day trip to Mont Saint Michel. The French railway website has different subsidiary websites for countries around the world. Hi Alastair, Thanks so much for taking the time to reply! A highlight of our trip was to hire a private guide for our family of four. The shuttle buses between the Mont and the visitors parking lot run late so it isnt necessary to stay on the Mont to see it at nighttime. The house itself is also fascinating and beautiful. If you are a person who enjoys doing some reading in advance and a little bit of planning, you will have a much better time in going by yourself rather than paying dearly for someone else's opinion of what is important to see. Many more swaths were yet to come. Really delicious. I also read up on and printed off rules of the road for driving in France (priority right, street sign meanings, etc). It was a mistake, one I hope you wont replicate. Its also very doable to take the train from Paris. Check here for deals on Normandy hotels. Ferries from the UK to France depart from Dover, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Poole and dock in Brittany and Normandy. You can see historical photographs of them here. Its not needed. I wouldn't recommend renting a car immediately after a long international flight and in a jet-lagged state. The best walks in Paris to soak up the citys charms. Located within walking distance of the city's stunning cathedral, the centrally placed Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection is our preferred choice for a night's stay in Rouen. I even went to what some may call extreme and got an international drivers permit. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-65976009', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');France is very low indeed.. We recently spent 10 days in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I wouldn't drive from CDG after a night in the air. Others, like Mont Saint Michel and the World War II memorials along the far northwest coast, are better explored by staying overnight. In fact, you should go directly to Mt. This is the best one-week road trip to explore France from Paris. B) don't rush.Take your time getting to know the car and once you're on the road. Normandy is a region, so you need to pick an arrival town for your train ticket. St. Michel and backtrack to Bayeaux for a tour on Monday or Tuesday. Also worth exploring is the castle ofWilliam the Conqueror and medieval fortifications. First take the train from Paris into Bayeux or Caen. I took myfirst trip abroad in high school and I've been hooked ever since. Its even better if you have the time to stay overnight in Bayeux or Caen for a night or two, as there is much more to Normandy than just the 5 landing beaches. 09/30/18 10:19 PM 5053 posts Driving in Normandy was VERY easy, lovely and fun. Bayeux is perfectly placed to explore D-Day sites as it was the first city liberated in WWII in the Battle of Normandy. By Car or Private Driver Duration: Approximately 3 hours, depending on traffic I had the Popeye crepe here, it was filled with spinach and creme fraiche. Write a Review; Boards; This port allowed goods to be delivered and the beach to be held. Use your two full days in Paris to explore the following highlights: On your last day, grab any last-minute things from shops nearby and head to the airport. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. France is a fantastic destination if you are considering a European road trip. Most hotels are in one area adjacent to the airport. 17 hours. It's important to build in lots of buffer time. This site uses affiliate links and may earn commission from qualified purchases. You mean the Caen Memorial Museum, Dick? Leave questions or comments about your own experiences in France below! Experience the culture of the Normandy region, gorgeous countryside, and stunning architecture. There is an overnight crossing as well as the daytime one. Yes, if you prefer to be led around by a tour leader, you can do that -- but we loved being able to drive through the region picking the places we wanted to see in the order that we wanted to see them -- the cemetaries -- british, german and american -- boy was that interesting to see the differences in tone. If you know you will be too drowsy to drive, start this itinerary in Paris instead of ending in Paris. Get a quote for your trip here. Click here to check France rental car rates! https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/to-normandy-beach-and-st-mont-michel. In fact, you should go directly to Mt. I do recommend that you use a guide to see the D-day beaches. This was my second visit to France. Honfleur is an excellent place to spend two nights as you explore the D-Day Beaches on a Paris to Normandy road trip. more. Drive parallel to the English Channel via the inland Normandy region by following the route through Caen and Bayeux to arrive at Omaha Beach. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-24694372', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car is just as easy as at home. What is the best area to stay in paris?!! Tickets cost 19 - 27 and the journey takes 2h 50m. Thanks! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-24692781', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car there. Thank You. Recommended option Train Take the train from Paris St Lazare to Le Havre 2h 23m 28 - 50 Cheapest option Rideshare These printed tickets should be validated before boarding. 9 best arrondissements to stay in Paris for any kind of traveler. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. For a shorter vacation, your best bet would be to join guided tours. Traveling though some of the most scenic areas of Northwestern France, you will get to experience and learn about the region of Normandy. 9545 posts. Train operators. But, theres a lot of interesting background history here.. Caen played a key role in WWII during the Battle for Caen, a fierce fight which lasted for 2 months in the summer of 1944. Its a great place to walk around and watch the sunset over the Loire River. We (2) would like to see some of Normandy (US cemetary,etc) when we come to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-65977558', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');France(we also drove around the Alsace for a week). The summer temperature averages 27 degrees Celsius and is pleasant for a road trip. This is the best one-week road trip to explore France from Paris. I still have yet to visit Brittany and Monets Gardens so Ill take some of your recommendations for those places. Will save for when I get the chance to go back! Normandy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in summer. Note:The times are just for reference. I chose to stay in Pontorson as it was cheaper and only a short drive to Mont St. Michel. Visit Chateau dAngers Enjoy a final breakfast in Amboise and then head towards Mont St Michel. I picked up and dropped off the rental car at the airport in Paris for this itinerary. Pointe du Grouin was my favourite stop as it sits on the entrance to the bay of Mont St Michel and in clear weather, you can see Mont St Michel in the distance. Follow D973 out of the city and follow the route toward the beautiful beach town of Mont Saint-Michel. C) get a car with GPS if you don't have/aren't bringing your own, D) Have cash ready for toll booths and always use the cash/card lines. Hope you have a fantastic trip to Normandy and the Loire Valley! On our Paris to Normandy adventure, we planned to overnight in Honfleur, a town at the mouth of the Seine. That being said, while exploring Normandys rural areas is probably best done by car, it may be a good idea to first take a train from Paris to one of the towns or cities in Normandy and then pick up your wheels from there. Caen boasts one of the best World War II museums in France, the Caen Memorial Museum, which is just 15 minutes from the D Day beaches. i know that the drive is 145 miles one way..how easy would it be to drivethanks. Youll find other nationalities buried near the beaches where their armies came ashore. It has lots of direct train connections to Paris and also lots of car rental options. It was also 5 minutes to the Luxembourg Gardens, down the hill from the Pantheon, and 10 minutes to Notre Dame. Planning your road trip to France? I was in Paris earlier this year and plan to return. The town quiets down early, around 5pm. Unfortunately, I missed the exit, and at the next exit our GPS sent me off across the French countryside for a half hour. Bayeux also has fewer direct trains from Paris so you will often have to change in Caen, and there is just 1 car rental agency in town, outside the train station. Just go to your local AAA office with two passport photos, fill out the paperwork - pay $15 and you walk out with your permit. We did hit a bit of traffic which delayed us a little, but nothing horrible. Drive Time: About 3 1/2 hours (with little or no traffic) Potential Stops/Attractions/Things To See: 38. A visit to Normandy especially to the D-Day beaches is a trip many long remember. We rented from Auto Europe (Europecar) and they were great. We finished our Paris to Normandy road trip staying overnight on beautiful Mont St. Michel. Also visited Honfluer. 2 weeks every year sounds fantastic! I loved this itinerary, it fit in a lot in a short time. Winters in the Normandy region are windy and wet, and the average temperature is 3 degrees Celsius. However, if all you want to do is travel to Normandy, take a guided tour of the D-day beaches, and spend a few hours visiting Bayeux and perhaps Caen, it would be cheaper, as quick or quicker, and at least as easy to do the whole trip by train. Feel free to PM me. This city is a great base for those wanting to road trip Normandy. Visit Monets Gardens Continue on towards Giverny and stop at Monets Gardens. It is, however, at the northern end of the beaches, meaning you must double back to return to your hotel. I have a question about the train from Paris to Bayeux your site says that this train is about 2 hours, but when I check the SNCF website it shows 6 7 hours. Your email address will not be published. Two days in Paris is always tough but you can see a lot if youve got the stamina, haha! Moving isnt it?). Included with your admission to the Bayeux Tapestry is an audio guide that explains exactly what you are seeing in the tapestry. He then trotted across the street to ask that they accommodate us. Wondering where to stay in Bayeux for two nights? I would have happily stayed another night or two in Amboise. I would love to take a road trip in this area, and this makes me feel like its totally doable. And its interesting enough to be taken several times. There is a Battle of Normandy WWII museum to visit and the German Gun Batteries at Longues sur Mer. Here are the best walks and walking tours in Paris to check off bucket list. Browse car rental rates for your dates here. Prices start at 190. Chill at the lovely cafes and explore the quaint town at leisure. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Slower trains make more stops, but you will still get to Bayeux in less than three hours. In Normandy, there's so much to see over a large area that I'd recommend basing yourself in a city for a couple nights to take day trips, then moving to another city. DRIVE YOURSELF. Another good place is Bayeux, centrally located a bit inland from all the beaches, and a half-hour drive from Omaha beach. StCirq is more knowledgeable than I, but this is from the US State Department Website: <>Read more about Train Travel in France. I wish we had time to visit all of the other museums especially those that you mentioned. Explore Honfleur After lunch, walk around Honfleur and check out some of the shops and the historic area. Wasn't that answered when you asked 2 weeks ago? There are other sites too - but it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road. Hopefully you get a chance to explore beyond Paris, the countryside and smaller towns are beautiful. In general, parking was not a problem. Paris forum OnMyWay Fort Myers, Florida Level Contributor 4 posts 83 reviews 40 helpful votes Pros and Cons of driving from Paris to Normandy area 8 years ago Save I will be leaving for Paris in a month (May 2015) and I am having second thoughts about visiting the small towns of Normandy due to driving in France. Medieval Bayeux is most famous for its cathedral (just as stunning as Paris Notre Dame) and the historic Bayeux Tapestry (showing the Norman conquest of England). Will there be more/quicker trains in June ? From tried-and-true Paris to storybook Strasbourg, these French cities never disappoint. France is a fantastic country for a road trip, I hope you have a great time when you visit! If you want the freedom to explore on your own, there is a Hertz car rental in Bayeux, at the Total gas station outside the city. I have read and agree to the terms & conditions, 2023 Curious Travel Bug Journey Theme by Restored 316. Staying in Bayeux. For the D Day sights in particular, I dont recommend trying to use public transportationas it will waste a lot of time trying to get around. Pro's - you can carry all your 'stuff' easily and go where you want when you want. I can give you his name and email address if you're interested. Best for: Visitors who plan to see more of Normandy. So when something is "strongly advised" or "recommended" - I believe that it is left up to the individual to decide. Paris 10 Best Road Trips near Paris Escape Paris on a Road Trip through Central France Content Chateau de Versailles Auvers-sur-Oise Barbizon Chteau de Vincennes Fontainebleau Giverny Provins Reims Thoiry Zoo Safari Chteau de Vaux-le-Vicomte The road signs are all in English. Renting a car at CDG, you'll be there quicker. photo credit: solea20 on flickr. and to arromanche at dusk to walk the beach in silence. You can read more about our Seine River cruise experience here. Ryanair offers some low-cost daily flights to the region from the UK and Ireland. It is something to consider in planning this road trip. For key museums, Id add the Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the Utah Beach D-Day Museum, the Juno Beach Museum and the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum (just outside Caen). Combining the Loire Valley, Normandy, and Paris into one 8-day road trip may seem a little ambitious, but this France vacation ended up being one of my favourite trips. After seeing Juno Beach, I stopped at Arromanches-les-Bains. Staying in Bayeux. Enjoy breathtaking views, relaxing swims, and authentic French meals at an upscale on-site restaurant. Tickets cost 30 - 60 and the journey takes 2h 24m. In this France itinerary, I have everything you need for a fantastic 8-day road trip to France. Great ideas. And when you get there, you will certainly not have a shortage of great activities to choose from. Chateau Chenonceau is the closest to Amboise and well worth a visit as it was probably my favourite. If you plan to pick up a rental car and drive around Normandy, I wouldnt recommend taking the train from Paris to Bayeux. Your email will not be provided to third parties. But because the road takes you through various landscapes, seasons may affect your travel plans. Dont buy from sncf.com if you are in the US, as the website will automatically re-direct you to a US subsidiary that is known to sell only higher priced fares for the US market, and does not allow you to choose your seat class. It was the first city to be liberated in the Battle of Normandy. Many towns do have free parking but you will save time by paying. The top things to see in Bayeux are its impressive gothic Cathedral and the Bayeux Tapestry. I stayed at Htel Le Blason which was perfectly placed in Amboise to walk to the local sights. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-24693282', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car.
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