I would make Etretat a priority and skip Deauville / Trouville as they are not particularly special in my opinion.

Have fun whatever you decide.

Larry J

What struck us about Sue4's plans and the suggestions of others: limiting the trip to Normandy. So many try to pack in vast expanses of France, not realizing that the country is the size of Texas. She is wise beyond belief because she is doing one part of France quite well. We wandered down a sunken road west of St. Lo and near Coutances. There we found a 16th century farm house that was a B&B, run by a French couple and her 100-year-old mother. Slow down, drive less, see more, build memories.

toulouse--It's too late for me not to rent a car at CDG. So do you or anyone else have any advise on getting the car and then getting out of the airport?

"The closing of the Falaise gap was a major victory."

The Poles were heroes, and the German forces in Normandy came near annihilation in that battle. Afterward, the allies used bulldozers to clear the roads of dead. War is hell, and it's right to remember.

I agree that Deauville/Trouville is a waste of time.

Rouen is worth time as is the Bayeuex Tapestry.

B&B great but also see if you can book a table d'hote or equivellent for wone night. Basically one table and you eat drink what the hosts do. Great way to gt to meet french people and they will slow down to include you in the chatter

We drove out of CDG to Les Andelys without a hitch. Get yuorself door to door directions to Chartres from Michelin online.

Thanks for the encouragement Pausanias. I plan to go to Les Andelys from CDG, too. I'll definitely study--if not memorize-- the Michelin directions before I pick up the car.

Good luck, JEFF. I don't have the nerve to pick up car at CDG (but plenty do it with no hitches whatsoever). I'm taking train to Chartres and picking up car there. But then, I'm alone, and rather old!

Thanks for your nice response, USNR. Sounds like you like to travel the same way I do. France is wonderful, with such diverse areas to see. I love to spend as much time as I can in one area. The problem is, since I "discovered" driving around France, I don't want to go anywhere else!