irenen

Apologies for cross posting, but I forgot to tag the country in my earlier post so am posting again.

My message...I have carefully read all previous advice about which area to visit in July when we have 6-7 days in Brittany and Normandy. Many thanks to everyone who offered suggestions. Now I need more detailed advice about which 2 towns to use as a base.

We will arrive in Rennes on 14 July and pick up rental car. In Brittany we want to visit Dinan, Dinard, St Malo, maybe Fougeres, and Mont St Michel. We have 3 nights/4 days around this area. Should we stay in one accommodation for all 3 nights to save time having to pack/move/unpack? If so, which town is good to use as a base? I have read that it is a good idea to go very early or late to visit Mont St Michel, and if so, should we stay there for 1 night, so as to get an early start?

After 3/4 days, we plan on visiting the area around Honfleur, Bayeux, Deauville etc for another 3 nights, and visiting some of the historic sights. Again, should we stay in 1 town, and if so, which one? We will return our car to Caen and catch train to Paris for return flight.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

kja

Many people prefer to avoid one-night stays; I've never found them to be a problem, so I'd say it's your call!

Staying on Mont St. Michel for one night is worth considering -- it is, IMO, quite magical after daytrippers leave, and as you note, staying the night lets you get a head start on a visit to the monastery before daytrippers arrive. Be prepared, though -- the restaurant options on Mont St. Michel are generally disappointing.

My other personal recommendations would be Dinan and Honfleur.

Hope that helps!

fuzzbucket

Don't forget to walk across the bridge to Trouville, while you're visiting Deauville. Only a 10 minute walk from the train station for a change of pace.
Lots of hilly streets, interesting architecture and of course - a nice sandy beach.

shamouel

About the Breton part of your trip, and according to the area you want to visit (to sum up, between Dinan and Mont St Michel), one base seems a good solution, for example in the middle, in a town like Dol-de-Bretagne or Combourg (if you are looking for a quiet and picturesque place), or around St Malo (if you prefer a place along the coastline, but busier in summer).
Since you rent a car, you may arrive very early/late in MSM without having to spend the night there (except if you are really attracted by the idea of spending the night on the Mont itself).

irenen

Thank you kja, fuzzbucket and shamouel for the good advice. I will consider all your suggestions.

StuDudley

Do you have your car already reserved?? According to Kemwel, all the car rental offices at the train station are closed on July 14 (holiday). You'll have to pick up the car at the airport.

Stu Dudley

irenen

Stu Dudley, no we haven't yet reserved a car. I was planning to organise car and accommodation next. Thanks for the tip.

cafegoddess

Topping

HappyTrvlr

Bayeux in Normandy is near the WWII beaches, is an intact medieval town and has the Bayeux Tapestry from 1066. We stayed in both Bayeux and Honfleur,
.