PalenQ

What's not to like about St-Malo?

https://www.google.com/search?q=st+m...w=1920&bih=950

Loacker

I can see why a car would be more practical but I don't really like to drive.

This is more difficult to plan than I thought. Transportation seems daunting.
Here's a last go at it.(Promise)
Give me your blessings.

Day 1 - Train to Dinan. Sleep in Dinan.
Day 2 - Dinan to MSM. Sleep on MSM.
Day 3 - Train to Bayeux. Sleep in Bayeux
Day 4 - Private D-Day tour. Sleep In Bayeux.
Day 5 - Private tour to Honfleur. Sleep in Bayeux.
Day 6 - Train to Rouen. Sleep in Rouen.
Day 7 - Train to Vernon. See Monet's gardens then continue to Paris.

PalenQ

Yes you got a great workable itinerary and easy IME trains.

Again all regional trains you just hop on except Paris to Dinan via TGV via Rennes. Book that one ASAP.

Loacker

PalenQ, I know I'll probably get a flak for this, but I don't like "rebuilt Medieval cities". Which is why I'll never set foot in Carcassonne.

When I visit a Medieval city, it's because I like to see an authentic well-preserved part of history. I don't get the point of rebuilding a Medieval city in 1949!

I feel like I'm being cheated. Forgive the rant.

kja

A belated thought: Is there an option for luggage storage that will make it possible to visit Giverny en route? (Sorry I didn’t think about that earlier.

Gretchen

You will never regret if you rent a car in say, Bayeux, and use it to sightsee on your own.
For 5 days, you have so much to see in Rouen, Honfleur and Bayeux. Return the car to Rouen and train to Giverny and back to Paris to cut down on driving time.

Loacker

Are the roads well-marked and easy to navigate?

Loacker

"kja on Jul 4, 17 at 2:21am
A belated thought: Is there an option for luggage storage that will make it possible to visit Giverny en route? (Sorry I didn’t think about that earlier."


Thanks for the reminder. looks like there is no luggage storage at Vernon. Guess I will have to spend another night in Rouen or leave to Paris after Rouen, and do Giverny as a day trip.

StCirq

"rebuilt medieval cities" gives no kudos to Viollet-le-Duc, one of the genius architects of the 19th century. I'm guessing you don't want to visit Lascaux II, either. Your loss. It's really presumptuous, IMO, to bypass the thinking of geniuses like Viollet-le-Duc in favor of some rigid love of ancient stones. There are plenty of those around if that's all that beckons you.

There is hardly a country in the world where the signage is better than in France. Well-marked? Well, yes, down to tiny little black and white signs that point to the names of people's houses. To get lost following signage in rural France is a kind of local disgrace.

PalenQ

St Malo is out too - rebuilt I think to some extent from WW2 damage.

Loacker

St Cirq, may he rest in peace. He was a restoration genius, but still, I'm not going to St. Malo or Carcassone. And those Lascaux cave paintings, they are replicas. You can no longer see the originals. I'd rather see them online.

I'm not the kind of traveller who's interested in ticking all the must-sees. I'm selective with my time and follow my own desires. I guess that means less tourists for you and PalenQ. Why are you complaining?

Bonne journée.

bilboburgler

French signage.

I nearly always agree with St C but ...

The only oddity about French signage is they point left (with the sign on the right) when they mean straight on. This can be confusing to the rest of Europeans but once you get used to is just a fascinating quirk. This rule is not followed on motorways where they follow European standards.

kja

If you don’t want to drive, don’t! You have a reasonable plan, and with such a short trip, you don’t have time, IMO, to be roaming around. It would, I think, be different if you were planning a longer stay…

PalenQ

I guess that means less tourists for you and PalenQ. Why are you complaining?>

I was not complaining but commenting on St-Malo and why you may not like it- I respect your criteria- not for me but fine for you and others. Please do not read any negativeness into my remark.

Bayeux is about the only Cotentin Peninsula town not blitzed in war- be sure to check out the sublime cathedral and Queen Matilhda's Tapestry in a museum there.

PalenQ

Giverny station has no storage no doubt as few stations in France do nowadays and have not for years due to Operation Vigi Pirate (sp?) set in place years ago when terrorism struck France and lockers were all closed except in a few large stations equipped with screening machines.

But I would inquire if there was a baggage check at the Monet House -often is as even small bags are not let in many sights these days.

Or splurge and take a taxi and have it wait for you with your bags!

You will find little to reason in Vernon but be sure to try to traipse around tiny Giverny itself -especially to the parish cemetery where Monet's grave is- the village away from the hubbub around the House and Gardens is the typical sleepy French village IME.

PalenQ

Are you a hiker or walker? If no bags on a day trip you can walk the about 3 miles or so from Vernon station to Monet's House - I've done it thrice - go down to the Seine and cross and then follow a neat trail over an abandoned railway line that parallels the Seine all the way to the village- coming in by the cemetery.

Spendid walk over the course of the railway Monet once used to commute to Rouen when doing his Rouen Cathedral portraits.

Bette

While in Bayeux we stayed at the Churchill Hotel. We loved it. It is in the center of town - great location. It suites your needs well because it offers a DAILY SHUTTLE TRIP to MSM for their guests.

http://www.hotel-churchill.fr/en/shu...st-michel.html

rs899

If you decide to drive, the Campanile in Bayeaux makes a good base. Lots of parking . On the edge of town, but not far away.

Loacker

Thanks everyone, especially <jft> for your detailed answer.

PalenQ, the hike from Vernon to Giberny sounds interesting. If the weather's not too hot, I will consider it.

Bette, thanks for the hotel recommendation. The shuttle sounds like a good idea, but I'm intending to spend the night on MSM to beat the crowds.

Bette

Yes, that will help you beat the crowds. My only concern is you are changing hotels several times and that eats up about 1/2 day each time. We like to base ourselves in one spot as a base (as much as possible). Good luck with your planning.