All, DH & I leave a month from tomorrow for 2 weeks in France. I'll be posting our itinerary for your comments, but for right now I'm soliciting input for our 2-night stay in Normandy.We have decided on Caen as our base, & like the looks of BW Moderne Hotel (price,location,parking,amenities.) Just checking to try to ferret out any recent negative reports.Has anyone stayed there more recently than 1st half of 05, which are the latest reviews I've seen on this site & TA ? We're definitely open to other Caen-area hotel suggestions, too, tho' I know we're cutting it close, time-wise...thanks !

I think you'd prefer staying in medieval Bayeux near the WWII beaches.
Hotel Lion d'Or is a perfect central location with parking.

I concur - we stayed at Lion d'Or and found it charming. We loved Bayeux as well! Happy travels...

Thanks for the Bayeux votes. We had actually planned on Bayeux originally, had even inquired about availability at Lion d'Or. Then once we made train reservations (Paris to Rouen, where we'll sightsee and pick up the rental car) I started thinking we might appreciate stopping for the night a bit sooner than Bayeux.Think I'd better review my maps again--I appreciate the replies and will definitely give serious consideration to following your recommendation...especially wsince we intend to visit Bayeux anyway. Thanks again, SuQue & Dorkforcemom.

Another vote for Bayeux - its quaint, has lots to see and do beyond the D-Day sites which had us capitvated for several days alone. We also stayed at Lion D'Or and loved it. We drove from Paris/CDG to Bayeux and it took about 90minutes as I recall.

Definitely Bayeux--easy to get around the region and the town makes a wonderful home base. We stayed at Hotel D'Argouges and were very pleased.

Another vote for the Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux.

One more vote for Bayeux instead of Caen!

Another vote for Bayeux as your base. I was there in late May of this year and it was wonderful. I stayed at Hotel Bayeux - clean, convenient, and rather inexpensive. I was there for 5 nights.

Wherever you stay, have fun! You're visiting some of my favorite regions.

TR

Another vote for Bayeux..The tapestry is alone worth the visit. Lion'd Or..Charming but no lift!!! Three flights of stairs with bags is no fun.

If you're in Caen for dinner, try the Bouchon de Vaugueux on rue Graindorge. Tiny, super bistro that is very popular with locals. Reserve at: 2 31 44 26 26

And another vote for d'Argouges in Bayeux!

TravelRibbon,

I remember recommending Hotel Bayeux to someone on this board, was that you? If so, glad you liked it! And if it wasn't you, I'm glad to see someone else finding about this hotel. I stayed there last September and liked the location and really liked the price.

Wow--seems unanimous in favor of Bayeux over Caen, for lodging anyway. Thanks, All, for such passionate recommendations. And merci, Grandmère, for the idea to dine at Bouchon de Vaugueux. It's on the list !

lifes2short,

I was advised the same thing before my trip and I took everyone's advise, though I wondered why. Once I saw both cities, I knew why. Caen is bigger and busy, it has some areas to explore and the Memorial Museum should not be missed, but Bayeux is smaller and much more charming.

We stayed at the Lion d'Or in May, also, and liked it. Bayeux is only about 20 minutes further than Caen on the express train from Paris.

We had dinner one night at Le Petit Bistrot, a Fodors recommendation, and it was a really good choice. We also saw the Cathedral and the Tapestry, both wonderful.

I think a lot of places near Caen have more charm--it's just a big city. Stay on the coast or Bayeux, or even Lisieux.

lyb:

Yes, it was me that you recommended Hotel Bayeux to. It was a great place.

TR

TravelRibbon,

very glad you liked, I would definitely stay there. The location is also perfect!

>>would definitely stay there.<<
Meant to write 'stay there AGAIN'