Paris to Normandy to Champagne to Paris
May 28th, 2014, 11:23 PM
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Paris to Normandy to Champagne to Paris
My daughter, my wife, and I from the USA are going to France for about 10 days from the last week of June onwards. We are planning to spend only two days in Paris (since we have been there before) and then drive to Normandy region and Champagne region for about a week. I would like recommendations for the places to visit, most importantly in Normandy and then in Champagne. We love to drive around in the countryside and would rather stay in Bed & Breakfast places rather then in hotels. I would appreciate some thoughts on whether ths is a wrokable plan, and if so, what are the most important towns to visit. Also, some recommendations on Bed & Breakfast places to stay.
May 28th, 2014, 11:36 PM
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My daughter, my wife, and I from the USA are going to France for about 10 days from the last week of June onwards. We are planning to spend only two days in Paris (since we have been there before) and then drive to Normandy region and Champagne region for about a week. I would like recommendations for the places to visit, most importantly in Normandy and then in Champagne. We love to drive around in the countryside and would rather stay in Bed & Breakfast places rather then in hotels. I would appreciate some thoughts on whether ths is a wrokable plan, and if so, what are the most important towns to visit. Also, some recommendations on Bed & Breakfast places to stay.
May 29th, 2014, 06:41 AM
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I was in Normandy last week. Are you interested in seeing sites with respect to WW2? The landing beaches (Omaha, Juno, Utah, etc.) are amazing and there are still some remnants of German bunkers + the American cemetery + fabulous and well documented museums. You will be there just after the 70th anniversary.
En route, we stopped at the coastal towns of Honfleur, Trouville-sur-Mer, Deauville -- ate mussels, prawns, etc. Stayed a night in Bayeux at the Churchill hotel. If you are at all interested in the best copper cookware -- stop in the town of Villedieu-les-Poeles where Mauviel is actually made.
If you prefer not to carry your luggage up MANY floors on rickety stairways -- be sure to ask for a first floor room (or as low as possible). (This is a total NOTE to SELF for my next trip).


En route, we stopped at the coastal towns of Honfleur, Trouville-sur-Mer, Deauville -- ate mussels, prawns, etc. Stayed a night in Bayeux at the Churchill hotel. If you are at all interested in the best copper cookware -- stop in the town of Villedieu-les-Poeles where Mauviel is actually made.
If you prefer not to carry your luggage up MANY floors on rickety stairways -- be sure to ask for a first floor room (or as low as possible). (This is a total NOTE to SELF for my next trip).


May 29th, 2014, 06:42 AM
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Google Chambres d'hotes for the regions you are heading to - these are B&Bs, often in small villages or rural areas - not always providing breakfast however. and Gites are also available - houses in villages often but those may require a week or so booking:
http://www.gites-de-france-normandie...normandie.html
En route to Normandy - the Bayeux area is the epicenter of D-Day invasion sites - Bayeux makes a sweet smaller city base itself - about the only city in the area not decimated during WW2 -
En route to Normandy consider stopping by Giverny - to see Monet's House and Garden and Les Andelys - a ruined abbey overlooking the Seine:
https://www.google.com/search?q=les+...w=1455&bih=978
to reach Champagne consider driving from the Paris area along the Marne River - nice side roads to Chateau Thierry (WW 1 U.S. military memorial tops a hill here) to Reims and Epernay - Epernay having the most prestigious Champagne tours along with Reims - in imposing Champagne Houses with tours of the caves and tastings at the end.
http://www.gites-de-france-normandie...normandie.html
En route to Normandy - the Bayeux area is the epicenter of D-Day invasion sites - Bayeux makes a sweet smaller city base itself - about the only city in the area not decimated during WW2 -
En route to Normandy consider stopping by Giverny - to see Monet's House and Garden and Les Andelys - a ruined abbey overlooking the Seine:
https://www.google.com/search?q=les+...w=1455&bih=978
to reach Champagne consider driving from the Paris area along the Marne River - nice side roads to Chateau Thierry (WW 1 U.S. military memorial tops a hill here) to Reims and Epernay - Epernay having the most prestigious Champagne tours along with Reims - in imposing Champagne Houses with tours of the caves and tastings at the end.
May 29th, 2014, 06:46 AM
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Mont-Saint-Michel is the number one most visited tourist site outside of Paris for good reason - a short enough drive from the Bayeux area - stay the night in one of the B&Bs on roads near the place on the mainland - you will see 'Chambres d'hotes signs along roads here.
Driving from there to Champagne could go via Chartres for its famous cathedral - the original Gothic cathedral in many ways and a template for those that followed and Versailles - then take the Peripherique around Paris (circular bypass freeway) and head via Meaux to the Champagne district.
Driving from there to Champagne could go via Chartres for its famous cathedral - the original Gothic cathedral in many ways and a template for those that followed and Versailles - then take the Peripherique around Paris (circular bypass freeway) and head via Meaux to the Champagne district.
May 29th, 2014, 07:23 AM
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If your 10 days includes you arrival and departure dates then you really only have 8 full days and two of those will be spent in Paris (one of those days being your arrival day). You should be in/near Paris on your last night to get to the airport so that gives you 6 or 7 days to split between Normandy and Champagne. The Champagne region is east of Paris and Normandy is northwest of Paris and to drive from Bayeux (in Normandy) to Epernay (Champagne) is a 4 hour and 40 minute non-stop drive. This assumes you'll hit no traffic on the périphérique around Paris (never certain) and once you include stops and potential traffic around Paris you're probably looking at a 6 hour drive, which wastes most of one of your days. I'll suggest you'd be better off going from Normandy to Brittany (which is adjacent to Normandy) and skipping Champagne as it makes better use of your limited time. You could easily spend 10 days just exploring Normandy and still not run out of things to see and do.
If you have a look at the thread below you'll get info about the major highlights in Normandy in the area between Giverny and the D-Day area. There's also info about what maps to use and getting driving times and distances.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic....html#39058384
Here's a sample itinerary for 3 days in Normandy:
Day 1 - Leave Paris and visit Monet's house and gardens in Giverny. Then visit Richard the Lionheart's fortress of Château Gaillard and the adjacent medieval village of Le Petit Andely then head to Honfleur to spend the late afternoon and evening exploring there and spend the night.
Day 2 - Visit the lovely countryside and small villages in the Pays d'Auge region south of Honfleur. This is cheese and cider country. There's info in the above thread about this area. For the latter part of this day visit the seaside resort towns of Deauville and Trouville. Spend another night in Honfleur.
Day 3 - If D-Day sites are your thing head towards Bayeux and visit the D-Day landing zone and spend the night in Bayeux or in a B&B nearby.
Were you to consider Brittany you could visit Mont Saint-Michel (a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Bayeux) and nearby places such as Fougères, Dinan, Dinard, Saint-Malo, scenic coastline and much more. If you change your mind about Champagne and want info about Brittany I'm sure myself and others can give you info about that.
If you want to learn a bit more about the area of Brittany I just mentioned then you can look at a photo report I wrote about spending 5 days exploring that area:
http://tinyurl.com/82azcyh
You can find info about all types of accommodation on tourist office websites for any town where you might want to stay. You can also look at the gites-de-france website mentioned by PalenQ, among other websites.
If you have a look at the thread below you'll get info about the major highlights in Normandy in the area between Giverny and the D-Day area. There's also info about what maps to use and getting driving times and distances.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic....html#39058384
Here's a sample itinerary for 3 days in Normandy:
Day 1 - Leave Paris and visit Monet's house and gardens in Giverny. Then visit Richard the Lionheart's fortress of Château Gaillard and the adjacent medieval village of Le Petit Andely then head to Honfleur to spend the late afternoon and evening exploring there and spend the night.
Day 2 - Visit the lovely countryside and small villages in the Pays d'Auge region south of Honfleur. This is cheese and cider country. There's info in the above thread about this area. For the latter part of this day visit the seaside resort towns of Deauville and Trouville. Spend another night in Honfleur.
Day 3 - If D-Day sites are your thing head towards Bayeux and visit the D-Day landing zone and spend the night in Bayeux or in a B&B nearby.
Were you to consider Brittany you could visit Mont Saint-Michel (a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Bayeux) and nearby places such as Fougères, Dinan, Dinard, Saint-Malo, scenic coastline and much more. If you change your mind about Champagne and want info about Brittany I'm sure myself and others can give you info about that.
If you want to learn a bit more about the area of Brittany I just mentioned then you can look at a photo report I wrote about spending 5 days exploring that area:
http://tinyurl.com/82azcyh
You can find info about all types of accommodation on tourist office websites for any town where you might want to stay. You can also look at the gites-de-france website mentioned by PalenQ, among other websites.
May 29th, 2014, 08:57 AM
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PalenQ- Thanks for your insitefull comments and suggestions.With about a week to drive around would you recommend going to Normandy and Champagne regions or Normandy and Loire Valley regions? We are not much into WWI but do want to do WWII. We are more into enjoying driving around nice countryside and stopping by at picturesque towns. We have done Versailles before. So the question is Champagne or Loire Valley!
JBass- Thanks for your commnets and I got it- First floor is the best without an elevator.
JBass- Thanks for your commnets and I got it- First floor is the best without an elevator.
May 29th, 2014, 09:17 AM
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Are you interested in champagne in particular? Because if not, it would seem to me the Loire would be the natural choice. I haven't spent much time in the north of the champagne region but didn't think it was that attractive for a tourist visit, but I might be wrong. And the southern part (eg, where Troyes is, which is next to Burgundy) is farther away from Normandie so there isn't any natural combination. There are some castles and chateaux in that area. I did enjoy visiting Reims as a city, but otherwise am more interested in the Loire for historical reasons (eg, I'm a Balzac fan). I have zero interest in champagne as a drink or the production of it. Champagne is mainly an agricultural region and mostly flat with slight hills. It is hillier in the northern part in Ardennes. Of course, there was a famous WWI battle there, but you aren't into that, as you said, so don't think you are going there for those reasons.
I do love wine but think the wine from Loire is superior, anyway, if you want to see vineyards. I suppose they have wine from champagne region, I've just never hear of it, only the champagne.
I do love wine but think the wine from Loire is superior, anyway, if you want to see vineyards. I suppose they have wine from champagne region, I've just never hear of it, only the champagne.
May 29th, 2014, 09:20 AM
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FrenchMystique Tours- Wow, a lot of info. Before reading your recommendation I had changed my mind, sort of, to Loire Valley from Normandy. So after leaving paris on 27th and to be back to Paris on 3rd night, we have 6 nights for Normandy and Loire Valley. Is this too much to do in 7 days/ 6 nights? Should we just stay around Normandy and Brittany or we should be able to do Loire Valley? Which are the towns to spend the nights in and any specific recommendations for B&B or hotels? Thanks.
May 29th, 2014, 10:03 AM
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Myself, I generally stay in one place for at least a week at a time (in self-catering accommodation) and use that as a base to explore an area. This allows you to really explore an area and saves vacation time that is lost in changing bases. And it's a vacation, after all, and I want to relax and not rush around trying to see as much as possible but rather take my time enjoying the places I do visit.
But you can get a taste of two different areas with three nights in each place if you want. Only you can say whether the Loire or Brittany would be best after Normandy as it's strictly a matter of personal preference. I prefer Brittany but other folks will prefer the Loire. Brittany is closer to Normandy but at least it's a shorter drive to the Loire from Normandy (3 hours non-stop from Bayeux to Tours) than the Champagne region and you also don't go anywhere near Paris.
I don't have any specific hotel or B&B recommendations. Really, just practice by going to a tourist office website and look at what's on there. You'll get a breakdown of the types of accommodation (hotel, B&B, camping etc.) and then you'll get links to the websites for each place. Since tourist offices may not list all accommodation then you can check sites like gites-de-france or several other websites. PalenQ's suggestion to google "chambres de hotes (enter the name of your town)" is a perfectly acceptable way to find a place. I always find accommodation on my own without ever seeking recommendations and I've never been disappointed.
Until you can decide on whether you want to visit Brittany or the Loire I'll hold off on suggesting towns to stay in as it would entail too much writing.
If you want to learn a bit about the major towns and châteaux to visit in the Loire (plus info about biking, wine, gastronomy etc.) then you can have a look at this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-de-france.cfm
Go ahead and click on one of the links to any tourist office website in the above thread and you will see how much info you can find by using tourist office websites. They are, IMO, the most underutilized travel resources for planning a vacation in France despite the fact that they are actually one of the best research resources available.
But you can get a taste of two different areas with three nights in each place if you want. Only you can say whether the Loire or Brittany would be best after Normandy as it's strictly a matter of personal preference. I prefer Brittany but other folks will prefer the Loire. Brittany is closer to Normandy but at least it's a shorter drive to the Loire from Normandy (3 hours non-stop from Bayeux to Tours) than the Champagne region and you also don't go anywhere near Paris.
I don't have any specific hotel or B&B recommendations. Really, just practice by going to a tourist office website and look at what's on there. You'll get a breakdown of the types of accommodation (hotel, B&B, camping etc.) and then you'll get links to the websites for each place. Since tourist offices may not list all accommodation then you can check sites like gites-de-france or several other websites. PalenQ's suggestion to google "chambres de hotes (enter the name of your town)" is a perfectly acceptable way to find a place. I always find accommodation on my own without ever seeking recommendations and I've never been disappointed.
Until you can decide on whether you want to visit Brittany or the Loire I'll hold off on suggesting towns to stay in as it would entail too much writing.
If you want to learn a bit about the major towns and châteaux to visit in the Loire (plus info about biking, wine, gastronomy etc.) then you can have a look at this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-de-france.cfm
Go ahead and click on one of the links to any tourist office website in the above thread and you will see how much info you can find by using tourist office websites. They are, IMO, the most underutilized travel resources for planning a vacation in France despite the fact that they are actually one of the best research resources available.
May 29th, 2014, 10:20 AM
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I concur that the Champagne area is way down on the list of attractive regions in France to visit it. I've enjoyed Reims a couple of times, but mostly I just get through that area as fast as possible and on to something more visually appealing.
I'm also not a huge fan of the Loire area. It's more attractive than Champagne, but still not up there with the big scenic WOW! areas of France. The history, of course, is fascinating, and if it's a first visit to the castles, you'll certainly be very impressed. And won't have to drive as far as you would to Champagne.
I do find Brittany to be far more beautiful than either the Loire or Champagne, but that is subjective, of course.
I'm also not a huge fan of the Loire area. It's more attractive than Champagne, but still not up there with the big scenic WOW! areas of France. The history, of course, is fascinating, and if it's a first visit to the castles, you'll certainly be very impressed. And won't have to drive as far as you would to Champagne.
I do find Brittany to be far more beautiful than either the Loire or Champagne, but that is subjective, of course.
May 29th, 2014, 10:26 AM
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I agree with all that Christina says - having biked thru the Champagne region many times the countryside is, for France, rather blah - at least compared to other areas like Normandy and Brittany - another option for you as it is right adjacent to Normandy and has a unique look and feel due to its Breton - Celtic - heritage.
Brittany has a lovely coast too - check it out.
As for the Loire I have biked around it many many times and it too is not the most comely scenery France has to offer - you go there to see its famous chateaus and that is a great reason if into lavish castles - Amboise makes a perfect base - in the epicenter of so many great chateaus - short drive to Chenonceaux, Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise has its own great castle.
Yes the Loire has wineries too - check out Bourgeuil and Vouvray for vineyards and wine houses.
The Loire is a short enough drive from Paris so end up there.
Burgundy for sweet scenery - the Loire for castles and so-so rather boring IME landscapes.
You could easily drive from Normandy or Brittany to the Loire castle country in a day.
Brittany has a lovely coast too - check it out.
As for the Loire I have biked around it many many times and it too is not the most comely scenery France has to offer - you go there to see its famous chateaus and that is a great reason if into lavish castles - Amboise makes a perfect base - in the epicenter of so many great chateaus - short drive to Chenonceaux, Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise has its own great castle.
Yes the Loire has wineries too - check out Bourgeuil and Vouvray for vineyards and wine houses.
The Loire is a short enough drive from Paris so end up there.
Burgundy for sweet scenery - the Loire for castles and so-so rather boring IME landscapes.
You could easily drive from Normandy or Brittany to the Loire castle country in a day.
May 29th, 2014, 11:15 AM
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If you wanted a week in an interesting part of France how about Provence. Train from Paris and rent a car. Train back to CDG to leave.
You could begin your trip by renting at CDG and going to Normandy.
Return the car to Chartres or Orly and spend your next days in Paris--with a day trip to Reims.
Then provence.
You could begin your trip by renting at CDG and going to Normandy.
Return the car to Chartres or Orly and spend your next days in Paris--with a day trip to Reims.
Then provence.
May 30th, 2014, 01:12 AM
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FrenchMystique Tours- I can see you do know France well and of course love to travel. After discussing with my wife we have decided to do Normandy and Loire Valley. As you recommended three nughts at each region. Hence now you can recommend which town to stay three nights in Normandy and three nights in Loire Valley.
Brittany sounds good after looking at your photo presentation but we are from California so more then the beaches we would get more out of castles and palaces.
So, assist me in planning three days in Normandy and three days in loire Valley. We will have a car, love countryside, castles, and do want to do D Day tours.
Thanks.
Brittany sounds good after looking at your photo presentation but we are from California so more then the beaches we would get more out of castles and palaces.
So, assist me in planning three days in Normandy and three days in loire Valley. We will have a car, love countryside, castles, and do want to do D Day tours.
Thanks.
May 30th, 2014, 03:59 AM
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We spent 4 nights in Loire Valley a couple of years ago and loved Loches, where we stayed.
You can see our photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637219497403/
I think my favourite chateau was Chambord...
You can see our photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637219497403/
I think my favourite chateau was Chambord...
