MK & JK

After visit in Britain, considering seeing Normandy. Must include Giverny, Rouen, Mont St. Michel, and open to other places. Is bus or train better? We are four people, all speak varying amounts of French so can ask questions, read schedules, listen to announcements etc. Also, do you know what months Giverny is open to the public?

steve

Why not drive?

betsy

I second Steve's recommendation that you drive. Normandy is so easy to get around in and with four people, it'd be less expensive than the bus or train. <BR> <BR>We've had good experiences renting from AutoEurope. <BR> <BR>Bon voyage

mk

Actually we have heard that Normandy is easy to get around in. But no one wants to drive. Two people have their fill of long commuting on work days, one has a minor visual impairment and I just don't like to. We detest big bus tours but are open to day tours or a small group if we could find a company. If not, need trains or buses.

elv

Giverny is open Apr-Oct. All the places you've mentioned are accessible by public transportation, but some, not easily. How are you arriving in France? Paris via Eurostar? Ferry to Normandy? or flying? That will have somewhat of an impact on your itinerary.

mk

You're right. Unfortunately that's still up in the air. Two of us will be spending time in Bath and are not sure how we'll meet the others. One will be in London, one arriving in Paris from USA. <BR>Thanks.

elvira

If the Paris arriver takes a train to Caen, and the London folks take the ferry to Caen, you can do the following itinerary: <BR>Train (2hrs) from Caen to Pontorson, then bus to Mont St Michel - you'll need to stay overnight. Then a train back to Caen, either hire a car/driver or take a bus tour of the D-Day beaches, stay overnight, then a 2hr train to Rouen. <BR> <BR>If you meet in Paris, train to Rouen (1 hr, several per day), overnight, Rouen to Caen train (2hrs) and hire car/driver or bus tour of DDay beaches, overnight, then Caen to Pontorson (2hrs) and bus to Mont St Michel.

Marika

Thanks for the helpful advice on the logistics. It's more help than we expected to get. (So that's why you have such a good reputation?) Guess we were planning backwards?

mk

forgot to ask----How long a walk from Vernon to Giverny? Is the house at Giverny open to the public (when not coming with tour) as well as the outdoor gardens?

elvira

At Giverny, you can go into Monet's house and the gardens. It's got to be at least an hour's walk from the train station to the house - I don't know if I'd want to do that much walking before getting to the main event. If you are all meeting in Paris, and planning to stay there, you can do Giverny as a day trip (you might consider hiring a car/driver to take you there; weigh the costs/time of public transportation vs splitting the cost of a chauffeured car). If you end in Rouen, there are several trains a day to Vernon, about 45 mins. Again, it might be worth it to hire a chauffeured car in Rouen.

herself

MK &JK <BR>Make sure you reserve rooms at Le Mont St. Michel early. It is the most magical place in the evening but, crowded and pushy during the day. I stayed at Le Mere Poulard in June and had a beautiful room. Loved it. Tel # 02-33-60-14-01. I have heard that Les Terrasses Poulard has great rooms with fireplaces and great views. There Tel # is 02-33-60-14-09. <BR>I also vote for renting a car even if it is only for a few days to see Le Mont, the beaches, Rouen and Giverny. Just don't drive in Paris. Rent in Caen and return the auto in Giverny, or visa versa. I am 61 years old and France was my first driving experience in Europe. I was a bit nervous at first, but it was a breeze and very relaxing not to have to rush for a bus or train. <BR>Have fun.

mk

Thanks for the good information, Elvira and Herself.

topsy

Topping for the person with the question about getting to Mont St. Michel without driving.