"Prior to this thread I knew nothing about NW France."

You might consider getting the Michelin Green Gudie of the area -- it is quite good. :-)

thank you, i originally only planned on MSM.

I liked MSM more on the approach, looking like a fairy tale but once there, over crowded, poor restaurants, and junk being sold, it is still worth seeing.

"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."

Thanks, Banff!

Earlier, I don't believe it was what I said, but how you reacted to it. I try to limit my posts to useful ones, but you seemed to not want to hear. Better to berate the messenger. I'd much rather feel useful and it seems as though you now may be listening.

I completely understand the value in location but I need to balance that with expenses.
With that being said, am I being unrealistic with the car/Paris hotel location?
Here are my thoughts after considering the suggestions provided on this thread (Each # representing a Day):
1) Pick up car upon landing @ CDG, drive out and overnight in Honfleur.
2) Enjoy the morning in Honfleur and then drive to MSM stopping at Normandy on the way. Overnight in MSM
3) Drive on to Saint-Malo and overnight.
4) Drive on to Dinan and overnight.
5) Drive on to Chartres and overnight.
6-8) Paris
For someone who is trying to balance location with expenses . . . is this hotel location too far out? No access to the metro into Paris? From my perspective, this hotel is on the outskirts but if I can get free parking and leave it at this hotel (only using it to drive back to CDG upon departure) then I can avoid parking charges, avoid RER B costs of returning to CDG and also keep my costs for accomodations to a minimum?
Again, from my perspective I am giving up the convenience of location to have 3 people stay in Paris and get transport to CDG for a total of $140 for 2 nights? Am I being unrealistic. If the hotel just doesn't work, please let me know. I haven't been there, I don't know but if I can take a metro into town and save hundreds of dollars on hotel and transport I felt like it might be worthwhile.
Thanks

can't see any cost advantages to ending in Paris and keeping the car just to drive out to CDG - that in no way can be cost effective - how much per day are you paying for a car sitting in a Paris parking garage/lot?

Your itinerary now is very sweet I think overall.

Cheers!

and there has goota be RER/metro service not far from the hotel - may have a park and ride lot too so you can drive to the station. the hotel is not that far out - just beyond the Peripherique as I can tell.

PalenQ,
I looked at the price for a one week rental compared to a 5 day rental and it was the same price. If there is no difference between a 5 day rental and a 7 day rental and I have "free" parking at a hotel on the outskirts of Paris - would it not be ok to just park it at the hotel for those two days and take the metro into Paris . . . then on the last day of the trip I could take the car to CDG thus avoiding the RER B costs?
I'd prefer to drop the car off early but I figured why do so if you if already have "free" parking, a 5 day rental is the same as a 7 day rental and I could save the cost of the RER B back to CDG? Do you see my logic? I'm open to suggestions - just trying to iron out all the details.
thanks for taking your time.

Banf - well in that case YES keep the car - sounds like the perfect solution and being outside of the Peripheique - the Paris ring freeway is better to gaining access to it to scoot ove to CDG - but a word of caution - having driven that many times it can be very slow going at rush hours or unexpectedly at anytime of day - leave plenty of time.

Sounds like a wrap to me. bon voyage!

Banff - Double check with the car rental company that your rate doesn't change if you bring the car back early. I had that happen to me (in California) and the car rental company (Avis) charged us EXTRA (a lot extra) for bringing it back one day early. Made no sense whatsoever. They tried to explain it by saying they had to make room on their lot to accommodate the early return. Just a thought.

Nevermind, I see you are planning on keeping it for the longer time frame.

Just a quick note as I'm busy but tomorrow I'll have a few tips for you.

I live in the town next to where your hotel is located and I know that neighborhood and it is a nice neighborhood. Lots of stores, cafés, restos etc. The hotel is just a few minutes walk from the Maisons-Alfort Alfortville RER D stop. It is an 11 minute ride from there to Châtelet-les-Halles, which is in the center of Paris. Use the transport links I already provided to learn how to get around and to get info about transport tickets, passes, fares etc.

FYI - Honfleur is IN Normandy. Normandy is a large region, not just the area of the D-Day sites.

That hotel is quite far out. To book a place so far from the sites you want to see, because it gives you parking for an unneeded vehicle . . . is an extreme case of the tail wagging the dog.

I don't think we can judge the location of the hotel in miles but, as FMTs has pointed out, by time. And in a good neighborhood so, I think Banff has struck an excellent balance in his quest to save some money and go where they want to go and how. I take back my doubts and attitude and understand the difficulties in giving up what originally seemed a good plan, to arrive at a better one.

I didn't see FMT's post -- we were posting at the same time. So it may not be <i>terrible</i> but being in the center would be sooooooooo much nicer IME/IMO.

So, if I'm hearing everyone correctly:
* the new itinerary, while possibly a little rushed for some, is acceptable or at least preferable to the previous plan that included Brugge?
* And it sounds like the car will be ok so long as I A) can park it for free until returning it B) I am fully aware of traffic conditions and leave plenty of wiggle room?
Any additional advice or revision is welcomed.
Again, thanks for the time everyone has spent in helping me prevent a vacation disaster!

So it may not be terrible but being in the center would be sooooooooo much nicer IME/IMO.>

Not to me - like FrenchMystique says it is a really nice area with nice shops, etc - this is not something that can be said to be worse or better than in Paris - I love more real neighborhoods with real cafes and shops used by locals - too often a hotel in Paris is not in a vibrant neighborhood - some may prefer the center but many will not.

and as for being far out - well 11 minutes to Chatelet-Les-H is shorter transit than getting there from many in-Paris hotels.

"the new itinerary, while possibly a little rushed for some, is acceptable or at least preferable to the previous plan that included Brugge"

Yes!

Appreciate all the advice!

Any additional advice or revision is welcomed.>

Make sure your credit card will cover the CDW option and if it does the car rental company may place a charge for the replacement value of the car on your card until you return the car - blocking perhaps your credit limit if you want to use that card on your trip - I've heard of this happening.

some suggest buying the CDW option even if your credit card includes it.

great advice, I'll definitely check into that.

Years ago we went to Istanbul and didn't notify our cc company prior to departure - we were in for a rude awakening upon arrival when we couldn't use our cc. fortunately we met family there who helped us out financially until we were able to contact the company and get things straightened out.