FrenchMystiqueTours

<<Which are currently nearly the same thing >>

But which might be different in the future.

Banff

Very detailed information - thank you so much! I will check these sites out when I get a little later when I have some time to really sit down and figure everything out.

PalenQ

I would not judge a mode of transportation on what is cost effective - at least not my number one criteria and I rather liked driving in Paris when I did it many many times - an excitement - stick with the car IMO obviosuly sinc you got it all planned out - curious as to where you free-parking hotel is in Paris - might be nice for others to know.

Most of us consider car trips to be great for visiting things in between A and B but that does not appear to be your case - like to MSM from Bruges - a anice drive along the Normandy coast via Trouville, Etretat, Honfleur, etc could be sweet and on the way back to Paris his Giverny or even Versailles or Chartres.

But if just transportation between those three places I'd take the train and if you figure all the costs of a car it may be cheaper especially if you get those ridiculously discounted tickets like Paris to Bruges for 29-39 euros each way (www.thalys.com).

aliced

Yes, absolutely worth to visit. We did it from Paris via car for about 3 nights going Dieppe, Honfleur, Etretat, Deauville, Normandy beaches, Mont St. Michel then looping back through Chartres. If you don't have 3 nights, I would investigate by train per above posts. We stayed at 3 of the exquisite Bienvenue au Chateaux, which largely are situated in NW France; very reasonable in cost.

PalenQ

Note that recently Paris introduced new measures to combat an air pollution level approaching or even exceeding Bejing's recently - some types of diesels are banned and on dirty days a speed limit of 12 mph in instituted with lots of cops around to dish out 30 euro fines and on alternating days license plates with odd and even would only be allowed. Be cognizant of these possible changes and good luck!

FrenchMystiqueTours

If I were driving from Brugge to MSM I wouldn't do it as a straight shot either and I would take a few days to do scenic drives and visit places but it's not my vacation.

PalenQ

FrenchMystique - IYE do many hotels in Paris itself offer 'free' parking? Those inside the Peripherique that is?

Banff

I booked through a third party site so I am not sure if free parking was offered as an extra incentive or if the hotel always offers it. My reservation specifically says "free parking" but reservation is required.
There were actually several hotels that offered free parking but the one I purchased is Hotel des Bains.
If I take my time between Brugges and MSM, where would you suggest staying or visiting?
thank you.

PalenQ

Honfleur would be a nice stop - lots of artists put up there during the Impressionist Age - and of course Bayeux - at the epicenter of the D-Day beaches would be a natural as well - Bayeux is also a very sweet old town worth a visit itself.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Since you asked I would agree that the trip between Brugge and MSM could easily warrant several days of traveling/exploring. The highlight places would be the scenic coastal routes around Fécamp and Etretat, plus visits to both of those places, Honfleur, Deauville/Trouville, the Pays d'Auge region south of Honfleur (cheese and cidre country), Bayeux and D-Day sites and then on to MSM. These are just the major sites. I didn't want to inject my opinion but I would drop Brugge altogether and split time between Normandy and Paris.

BTW, I see nothing on the Hôtel des Bains website about parking of any kind so I'd double check that:

http://www.hotel-des-bains-montparnasse.com/

kerouac

If you go to Mont Saint Michel, you should continue on to Saint Malo as well.

Once you get started with additional destinations, there is no end to it!

PalenQ

If you cannot park at the hotel it will cost you a ton to find a parking garage IME - street parking is not generally allowed I believe except for parking discs and meters. Why not just end up in Paris with the car and return it as soon as you get there (or before and take a train in).

kerouac

I like driving around France, but if I could get it to fit my schedule, I would not hesitate to return a car for two or three days and then rent another one when I left the city. Naturally, rental rates for certain times periods come into play here, so careful calculations are necessary.

dwdvagamundo

Banff--

I wouldn't spend two nites on MSM. There's just not that much to see and do. If you must, spend one nite and go to Ducey or somewhere else.

FWIW, our best memory of MSM was watching it from our b & b on the mainland as the tide went out, the sheep came back to shore, the lights came on, etc. after a great meal. Hardly remember our time on MSM as it was so much like other medieval places we've visited over the years.

FrenchMystiqueTours

I think a night on the Mont woud be great but I'd spend a second night in either Dinan or Saint-Malo.

Banff

I am on the road right now so when I have a chance I plan on sitting down and reviewing all the great advice provided. Thank you.
Honestly, it would take quite a convincing to pry Brugge out of our travel plans since I love it so much but I will definitely check out the suggestions provided. Beyond Normandy and MSM I know absolutely nothing about NW France.
And I hear you about the car and dropping it off upon arrival in Paris. I've read the fine print on my reservation and I clearly have "free parking" at the hotel mentioned but if the RER B is only $10 pp I will try to drop the car off in town if possible . . . no need to hold onto it in order to save $30.
Again, thanks

Banff

My apologies . . . I guess when I originally looked up the hotel name there were several with the same or similar names. Here is the link for the one I have a reservation with that also has free parking. Nothing special.


http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/des-...otelFacilities

janisj

Banff: OK -- did it not concern you at all that "Paris" is not included in the hotel's address?

No wonder parking is free . . . the hotel is out beyond Vincennes almost to Créteil

MmePerdu

It could be worse. Think of it as yet one more reason to return the car on arrival near Paris and find yourself a hotel actually in Paris.

There used to be a joke in LA real estate circles when properties were described as "Beverly Hills adjacent", read crummy, not too far away, not in Beverly Hills. This place kind of looks similar on all fronts.

I hope, besides free parking, it has free cancellation.

Banff

Welcome back . . . I thought you left the discussion.
I truly appreciate your advice but sometimes it's not what you say, it's how you say it.

Prior to this thread I knew nothing about NW France. After researching the suggestions provided I'm most likely cutting Brugge out of the equation.
So, If you all had 4/5 days in that area how would you allot your time?