wren

Yesterday, I wrote to the Chateau de Cottun to reserve a room. Unfortunately, the owner said they will not be open for guests next year. I am disappointed!

Mucky

If you have transport, Barfleur is lovely its up towards Cherbourg

Muck

LynFrance

We?ve been to Normandy 7 or 8 times and have always picked up our car at CDG and driven directly to Honfleur, where we stay for the first one or two nights. The drive is a little over two hours, and we stop about half way on the autoroute for coffee and a croissant.

We?ve been to Giverny several times, always on the way back to Paris. The hotels adjacent to Giverny are not particularly appealing in my opinion, and the nearby town of Vernon has very little to recommend it.

The drive up the coast road from Honfleur is really lovely. Once we get into Normandy
we try to stay off the autoroutes as much as possible. To us, Normandy is as much about the magnificent countryside and wonderful beach towns as about the landing beaches and the tapestry. The American Cemetary is really a moving experience and don?t miss Mont St. Michel. It?s a spectacular sight

We too have stayed at Chateau de Sully and would go back anytime!
We?ve also stayed in Les Andelys, and it?s okay but there is not much there so I would not recommend it for a first trip to Normandy. The Jumiege Abbey is, as I recall, on the way, but it is not the kind of driving or sightseeing I would want to do on my first morning in Europe.

Take it easy and don?t try to go everywhere and see everything. Assume that you will go back again some time and you will enjoy it more!

If you?re looking for beach and night life you would stay in Deauville or Trouville.
Deauville is more upscale, but the hotels in Trouville are actually on the beach

Another place with a really nice hotel (the Grand ) right on the beach is Cabourg.
It?s kind of a family town, and we watched the kids having a riding lessons on the
Beach in front of the hotel. There is a main street with restaurants, cafes and bars lined up one after the other.
.

wren

Lyn, Have you found a place to stay in Honfleur that you would recommend?

LynFrance

Wren,

We like Manoir du Butin, about three minutes outside of town by car.We've never had trouble parking in town. There are two big open lots on the road into town. They are practically in town and we have never had a problem finding a spot in them....but we have never been there in August!

We have also stayed at L'Absinthe, in town
directly across an alley from the restaurant of the same name.It was okay.

wren

Thanks Lyn. I read on another post that someone felt that Manoir du Butin was rather expensive for what you get. What do you think?

baker

Stayed in Bayeux June 2003 specifically for the opening of the Juno Beach Centre. My son and I enjoyed Hotel D'Argouges; friendly , helpful service. Convenient for walking around Bayeux as well as driving to the coastal areas. But, it is very quiet at night..which was fine with us. We dined most nights around 8 at cafes on the main sreet ; we found after driving all day we were happy to have a quiet evening. And yes, MSM is quite doable in a day there and back.