Hoping for a springtime trip in 2003 (yes, I plan ahead). A week in Paris and a week for Normandy and the Loire Valley. I'd like to<BR>see Versailles, Giverny, Honfleur, the WWI memorial and Beaches, Mont St Michel (at night), then two or three chateaus in the Loire. Suggestions for splendid hotels? We're not "lifestyles of the rich & famous" but it'll be our first and probably only trip to the area, so a little splurge is in order. I'd prefer to have just a handful of bases<BR>(except for that one night on the Mont), but will tour around. My thanks to you all in advance. These message strings have been very very helpful.

I can't believe I spelled my own name wrong in my address. That's [email protected]. Sign

In Honfleur I heartily recommend the Hotel l'Absinthe. Very nice hotel, in the center of town and Honfleur is a very wonderful town. The hotel has a restaurant, also L'Absinthe across the street and it's one of the best we've eaten in. In Bayeux we stayed at the Churchill and enjoyed it - a parking lot adjoins it so it's very convenient. The Lion d'Or is another good one. For Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

I like this site, click on the US Flag to get it in English:<BR><BR>www.chateauxhotels.com<BR><BR>If you have a car and are looking for a base, you might find a nice castle for it.

You have chosen some wonderful placed to visit. When I was in France, we stayed 2 nights at a hotel within the walls of Mt. Saint Michel. I am sorry I dont remember the name of it but maybe your travel agent or someone reading this will know. Mt. Saint Michel was a magical place as was all of France. Have a great rip.

Here is a link I found this fall to Mont St Michel:<BR><BR>www.le-mont-saint-michel.com<BR><BR>I was in the Loire valley last April for 2.5 weeks. 2 Nights each at Angers, Tours, Chinon, Chenonceau, Blois, Beaugency, Saumur and Courtalain. Feel free to e-mail me directly if you have any questions. <BR>

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Nora,<BR>We spent 2 weeks in Loire Valley and Mont St. Michel last September and I would highly recommend the Chateau de Pray in Amboise as a very special place to stay (not cheap, but it was our "splurge" for the trip and worth every penny!). It is a beautiful 13 century chateau - very quiet with a fabulous restaurant and it made a wonderful base for our Loire Valley explorations to Chenenceau, Chambord, etc. If you can't stay there, I would still recommend staying in Amboise as a base for all or part of the Loire explorations. It is a picturesque, small town. Easy to navigate and perfect for many day trips to the chateaux and other Loire sites. In Mont St. Michel, we were unable to book a room on the island, but lucked out by discovering a lovely small relais in town with a view of the Mont from the garden. The name has completely escaped me for the moment, but I will try to post message for you tomorrow with information - we easily booked thereby faxing the owner - she speaks very good English and we had a fine base for exploring the Mont and beaches of Normandy. All in all, a magical trip. You'll love it! Feel free to email me directly if you have additional questions.

Hi again Nora,<BR>Here is the information on the place we stayed at in Mont St. Michel.<BR><BR>La Jacotiere<BR>Phone: 011-33-233-60-2294<BR>Fax: 011-33-233-60-2048<BR>Owner is Madame Claudine Brault<BR><BR>Info for Amboise chateau<BR><BR>Chateau de Pray<BR>Route de Charge<BR>37400 Amboise, France<BR>Phone: 011-33-247-57-2367<BR>Fax: 011-33-247-57-3250<BR><BR>Enjoy<BR>Jay

Ferme St Simeon in Honfleur, superb food, elegant but expensive.<BR>Due to open in May after a fie this winter. Situated on the outskirts of town.<BR>In Giverny, I like The Jarden of Giverny.

The Ferme in Honfleur is beautifully situated but extremely formal. We ate at that Jardin in Giverny. Stop in trouville at the Vapuers, my favorite bistro in that area, the mussels in cream are so good. I notive by your address you are in Boston, also.

It's been several years, but we stayed at Ecu de Bretagne in Beaugency, and found the price reasonable (accommodations were acceptable, just a tad shabby) and the restaurant quite good. Parking was available, too, and everything in town is within walking distance.

We have been to both Mont St. Michel and the Loire Valley and enjoyed both greatly. If you can plan your trip to the Mont before or after the tourist busses, you will be very glad you did. We were very disappointed in the world famous omelette at La Mere Poulard, but otherwise the Mont was everything-and more-we had expected. As for Loire hotels we stayed at two wonderful ones, Chateau de Rochecotte in Saint-Patrice and Chateau de Noizay in Noizay. The accomodations and dining room were slightly better at Chateau de Rochecotte, but both were wonderful. Have a great time!