Just returned from 2 weeks in Paris, Normandy, Brittany and Loire Valley
 

Just got back from our 1st. trip to France and thanks to all the suggestions on this forum, we had a great time.
We started off with 3 days in Paris (definitely not enough time) where we took a cab from the CDG to Hotel Madison in the 6th. We spent out 1st. full day on the Hop On/Hop Off bus where we got to see all the major sights. We bought the 2 day pass and it was our transporation while we were in Paris. We would get off at the stop that was interesting to us and then get back on the next bus to the next stop.
We then picked up our rental car (AutoEurope) and headed out to Honfleur. The weather was rainy most of the day but we still managed to enjoy our stay in the short time we were there.
Left the next morning to see the Caen Museum which was so moving especially the movies. Onto Bayeux where we had 2 nights reservation at D'Argouges and a 1 day Battlebus tour of the American Beaches. The hotel was a perfect location in the greatest town. Our Battlebus tour guide, Geert, was so interesting that we kept picking up people whereever we went because of all the info. he had. We enjoyed the area so much, we ended up staying 4 nights and going back to the beaches and cemetary more than once. I would also recommend seeing the German cemetary with the Peace Trees - quite a contrast to the American cemetary. I felt so proud to be an American in this area - USA flags were flying everywhere as was statues of Eisenhower along with street names of Rossevelt, Eisenhower, etc.
We then headed out to Mont St. Michel where we spent all of 1 hour. I was hoping to find a peaceful abbey such as Monticassino in Italy but instead nothing but buses, cars and people. We ended up spending the next 2 nights at St. Malo and really enjoyed it. Spend 1 of those days in Cancale where we tried oysters for the 1st. time while everyone laughed at us.
A long drive to the Loire Valley (Anne d'Anjou in Saumur) where we ran into a group of travelers from England who had shipped over their 1950 Bentley's to tour with. How fun!
Next was Chenonseau where we visited the Chateau and enjoyed some wine tasting.
All in all, the trip was wonderful and can't wait to return. I would love to spend more time in Paris and would like to investigate more of Brittany which seems to be underrated but we found to be interesting.
Thanks you everyone for all your help in planning this trip - I love this forum and recommend it to anyone who'll listen. Now to start planning our next trip..........

Welcome Home,
I am so happy that you had such a wonderful trip, especially for the first trip to France. There is so much to explore and see, not to mention, eat. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for your report. It’s just too bad you did not enjoy your visit to Mont St. Michel. I was planning a daytrip there. I may stay over a couple of nights to get away from the crowds.

Thank you for the tips.

Thanks for the report - sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I hope to go to Normandy on my next trip to France. I did a daytrip to Mont St. Michel a few years ago, and felt about the same way you did. I'm sure it would be better to spend the night there. I also have stayed at the Anne d'Anjou in Saumur, and loved it.

Glad to hear you had a wonderful time.
Last year we too stayed at the Anne de Anjou Hotel in Saumur overlooking the Loire. You didn't have the front room with the little balcony by any chance?