Innocents Abroad-- a short trip report of Paris, Bayeau, Strasbourg, and Baden Baden
 

I just returned from 11 days in France (one in Germany). Temperatures were cool and unfortunately, the sun hid all but one day. I was apprehensive about transportation from CDG on 10/22, because of the Oct. strike, but I caught the RER without a hitch to Gare du Nord and then a tgv to Metz, without a hitch. Ticket lines in the train stations on subsequent days in Metz and Nancy were crazy long, however, which I assume were the lingering effects.
In a nutshell, I enjoyed the whole trip (except for the getting lost parts and feeling like the proverbial fish out of water trying to do simple things like buy a metro ticket, and where the buses go, and the learning by doing experiences, for ex., as it turns out, one of the lines at the Eiffel Tower is for the stairs (look out for the flag that says "escalier"; still, it is very doable and I knew it would make a good story later)) and was particularly charmed by Bayeau, in Normandy. We went there for the D-Day tour, but I had been advised not to miss the tapestry, so I didn't and am very glad. That might have been my favorite museum. So many of the towns on the coast were destroyed in 1944, but Bayeau was not, so you wander the streets of a medieval city in the center. Maybe it is due to my terrible sense of direction, but I didn't find the arrow signs in the town to be all that helpful. I got turned around and around and next time, I will take a compass. We stayed at the Hotel D'Agouges which was as charming as I had heard, although one of my companions said all in all she'd trade charm for a Novotel.

I also enjoyed Strasbourg. The Tourist Information office is right across from the Cathedral which is a good place to start. I loved the canals and again, the age of the city. We ate in several good places, beginning with Chez Yvonne, as recommended by Rick Steves (near the Temple Neuf) making sure to try chacroute garnie, Alsatian white wines, and flamenkuchen before leaving Alsace. (I can't answer for the spelling; I'm doing my best to remember). We did stay at the Novotel in the city center, and what it might lack in charm, it does have the nice flat screen tv, mini bar, etc., if that's what you're wanting.

I regret not trying the cakes, which looked amazingly beautiful, but couldn't eat everything that looked good. In Baden Baden I didn't have much time, so didn't do much more than walk around and look. It is a lovely place to look at, and I'm sure the spas and casinos are great as well. We did go down to the slot machines in a large casino where you must pay 1E to enter, but receive a complimentary drink at the bar with your ticket. I dropped ,50E in a machine so I could say I had been gambling in Baden Baden.

Paris is big and beautiful. My approach is not to worry about seeing everything as it is completely impossible, but to pick out some things and be content. I went to the Rodin museum (good, but if you are short on time and or money, just do the garden); climbed to the second platform of the Eiffel Tower (lots of things to do on the first and second levels and I tell myself I saw most of Paris); strolled the Champs Elysee; visited some of the churches, but mostly walked around or rode the bus and looked, looked, looked, remembering to look up for the surprises on the buildings, above the store fronts, and to look down because dogs are truly every where although most are amazingly well mannered. Mine would be beside themselves on the bus or metro; these are nonchalant.

I would like to thank other posters on this site that gave me great information before I left. It was a wonderful trip (but I'm glad to be home).

Hi ebgibbs :)

I enjoyed reading your report. We're heading to Bayeux and Strasbourg next year, so I've been looking into hotels.

We've enjoyed our stays at various Novotels and have been looking at the ones in these cities. Would you stay there again? (I know you didn't stay in the one in Bayeux, but location wise how was it?)

How was the parking situation?

Thanks for posting!

I can't respond about the parking as I didn't have a car. Both the Novotel in Strasbourg and the Hotel D'Agouge in Bayeau (again, I don't vouch for the spelling) were well situated for walking. I can't imagine that you won't love both cities.