amylou2u

I now realize After trying to find a rental car for our arrival in Normandy on Nov 1 that it is All Saints day or La Toussaint. Most car rental agencies are not open. Now I see that I have scheduled my entire trip during the Toussaint school break. Wondering if places like Normandy and the Loire will be crowded with families traveling? Will Paris be packed with families traveling or do they escape the city during that time? Our Dates are Oct 27-Nov 7. Just Hubby and I on what I hope will be a romantic 25th wedding anniversary.

Michael

If you use a car broker like Autoeurope, it usually indicates whether a pick-up and return is possible according to the date and the hour.

I would not think that Normandy or the Loire would be crowded at the end of October.

StCirq

Not to worry about crowds. People will go to cemeteries, leave flowers, not venture out on big vacations. Not to worry.

Tulips

Some countries have school holidays that week; I know they do in Belgium, but not in Holland, for example. It's a popular week for a citytrip with kids. But it certainly won't be packed. Disney may be - but I assume you were not planning to visit that.

amylou2u

Thanks all, feeling much better about our plans. I would even think some Parisians head out of the city for a little break at that time.

My hope was to rent a car in Vernon, go to Giverney on the last day they are open (nov1) then head to Rouen for the night and on to Bayeux the next day. Both Vernon and Rouen car rental companies are closed that day. My other option is to give up part of a day in France to go see Giverny then just head directly to Bayeux on Nov 1st. I was able to find a car at the Caen train station on Nov1 so will probably just do that and drive on to Bayeux. I need to be more flexible but really wanted to see the Cathedral at Rouen and that part of Normandy. Who knows maybe still possible.

Tulips you are correct, not going to Disney. We live within 15 minutes of Disneyland and I have spent much of my life there, great memories, but not my idea of romance ;-)

Michael

Giverny is not that far from Paris. Getting out of Paris is much less of a problem than entering it by car. Rent the car in Paris and drive to Giverny.