Driving to Mont St Michel
Sep 27th, 2017, 09:03 AM
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Driving to Mont St Michel
After spending 6 days in Paris (and doing a day trip during that time to Versailles) we are driving to Mont St. Michel staying for one night and Bayeux for 2 nights to see the D Day sights. We have a full day to get to Pontorson from Paris so wondering what we should see on the way. After looking at a map I see we can go the southern route through Le Mans or the Northern route via Rouen and Caen...after a week in the big city we would like to experience some quaint towns with some beautiful sights--have heard good things about Chartres but will have already seen Notre Dame in Paris so not sure if this one is that much different...are there any small towns along the way or on the water that would warrant a few hours visit along the way. We will only have the one day to stop and visit sights as our return trip from Bayeux will be directly to the train station to head to Brussels. Any suggestions?? Thanks Fodorites 
Sep 27th, 2017, 11:53 AM
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Try the <i>route des chaumières</i> (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...7624436592493/ and subsequent pictures) to Honfleur. It's D65 in a loop of the Seine. Google "route des chaumières."
Sep 27th, 2017, 07:39 PM
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It seems really naive to me to say you don't want to see Chartres because you've seen Notre Dame de Paris, but maybe your comprehension or appreciation of history is different from mine. I agree with the recommendation to check out Honfleur (the wooden church, but it's just another historical moment so may not interest you) and the Michelin Green Guide.
As for the route, use the Guide Michelin and please dispel yourself of the notion of "quaint." It's pretty old-fashioned and for those of us who live here it's downright obnoxious.
As for the route, use the Guide Michelin and please dispel yourself of the notion of "quaint." It's pretty old-fashioned and for those of us who live here it's downright obnoxious.
Sep 27th, 2017, 10:20 PM
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What time of year is this trip? If it's in spring/summer/fall, Monet's home and garden at Giverny make a pleasant stop. Also allow time to see the Bayeux tapestry, a linear cartoon in embroidery about William's conquest of England.
Sep 28th, 2017, 07:54 AM
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Thank you all for your replies-- will look into Michelins..already plan to spend 2 nights in Bayeux--will look into Chartres, Honfleur and Etretat...they all sound wonderful
StCirq....sorry for being obnoxious with my use of "quaint" but here in sunny southern California we don't see small villages with thatched roofs and town squares so would like to be immersed in some of that...
StCirq....sorry for being obnoxious with my use of "quaint" but here in sunny southern California we don't see small villages with thatched roofs and town squares so would like to be immersed in some of that...
Sep 28th, 2017, 10:38 AM
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California we don't see small villages with thatched roofs and town squares so would like to be immersed in some of that...>
Few in that part of France either. Just get a 1:200000 Michelin map and take D roads (departmental or regional roads that are often well paved and little trafficked and you'll pass thru zillions of old French villages -most however not fulfilling your dreamy wish.
Chartres is astounding but also not very far along the road to Mt Saint-Michel.
Few in that part of France either. Just get a 1:200000 Michelin map and take D roads (departmental or regional roads that are often well paved and little trafficked and you'll pass thru zillions of old French villages -most however not fulfilling your dreamy wish.
Chartres is astounding but also not very far along the road to Mt Saint-Michel.
Sep 28th, 2017, 12:57 PM
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Chartres is worth it for Malcolm Miller alone!>
Yes but worth it for a lot more than that - yes Notre Dame has some similarities as all Gothic cathedrals do as Chartres was the template for them but Chartres to me is a much nicer experience - far fewer suffocating crowds so you can better appreciate the inside and windows, etc.
And yes Malcolm Miller tours are a classic though tours are not guaranteed if enough folks don't show up.
Yes but worth it for a lot more than that - yes Notre Dame has some similarities as all Gothic cathedrals do as Chartres was the template for them but Chartres to me is a much nicer experience - far fewer suffocating crowds so you can better appreciate the inside and windows, etc.
And yes Malcolm Miller tours are a classic though tours are not guaranteed if enough folks don't show up.
Sep 28th, 2017, 03:29 PM
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As Michael notes, the route des chaumières, aka the thatched cottage road, might be of interest.
http://www.pnr-seine-normande.com/up...aumieresgb.pdf
http://www.pnr-seine-normande.com/up...aumieresgb.pdf
Sep 28th, 2017, 10:02 PM
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Went to Notre Dame last summer and thank goodness there was a large choir singing for part of our time there. Once they were done, people kept talking and loudly. Totally disrespectful and hard to get a sense of the place.
Chartres was really very moving for me. I went years ago though and off season--it could be overwhelmed with tourists like everywhere else.
By the way,if you went to Rouen, you could see where Joan of Arc died. The cathedral is the one Monet painted about a dozen times to catch the different effects of light on a place.
Chartres was really very moving for me. I went years ago though and off season--it could be overwhelmed with tourists like everywhere else.
By the way,if you went to Rouen, you could see where Joan of Arc died. The cathedral is the one Monet painted about a dozen times to catch the different effects of light on a place.
