Celiaanne

We've had a change of plans so that we can be at MSM for the high tides. So, our itinerary so far:

April 8 Arrive CDG 7:00 a.m.

April 9 - 11 Two nights at La Croix Blanche (best I could do through Auberge St. Pierre office) in MSM.

April 11 - 13 Two nights in Bayeux for D-Day Beaches

Does anyone have any suggestions where to stay the first night on our way to MSM? We will be going to Bayeux for 2 nights to see the Beaches, so I don't want to go there.

I guess what I am asking for is a recommendtion for a route to MSM that would include an interesting place to stop for the night. We'll be jetlagged, so we will probably want to just wander around.

Is the best route through Rouen and Caen (which would have us backtracking to Bayeux)? That is what it looks like on the map, but I'm hoping there's something better I don't know about.

Thank you for any help.

StuDudley

I would hop on the TGV to Rennes & stay there. One train leaves CDG at 10 & another at 12:37.

Rennes is one of my favorite cities in France. You could visit the Chateaux of Vitre and/or Fougeres on the way to MSM. No need to rent a car the first day, which might save you 1 day's rental.

If you want to stay in a smaller town, take the TGV to Rennes, rent a car there, & drive to Dinan for the night. Visit the lovely coastline in Brittany - much more scenic than Normandy, IMO

Stu Dudley

Celiaanne

Thanks, Stu. I love the idea of the trains, but I don't like the reality of them -- finding the track, buying the tickets, etc., all the while jet-lagged. I've done it, but I'm not crazy about it.

It's usually lifting the luggage (22&quot onto the car that presents the biggest problem. But, that sounds like such a good idea with good train times for us, that I am going to check out the cost v the rental car charge... And, my husband will be there to do the lifting...

I find the French train site difficult to navigage, so wish me luck -- and thank you.

StuDudley

There are only 2 tracks at the CDG TGV station - 1 in each direction. Finding the track is a no-brainer. Purchase your tickets in advance on the PC and print them at home, or call the English speaking number & have them mailed to you.

THE SNCF site is horrible. I research here:
http://www.reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

note that dates are dd/mm/yyyy and CDG is "Paris cdg tgv"

but you need to use the SNCF site to buy them
CDG is "Roissy" on this site.

Stu Dudley

Michael

The CDG train station is not as complex as the Parisian ones. You can buy your tickets ahead of time. If you find train stations confusing because of jet-lag, driving might not be a good idea with its need for constant alertness.

Celiaanne

Thanks again, Stu, especially for the research site.

If I did this correctly (in French, even though I clicked on the English sign?), the fare for 2 seniors is 44 E or $67, which isn't too bad. This is a PREM fare which has a 5 E insurance option -- I think. Any thoughts on making a 10:27 train from a US Airways flight arriving @ 6:55? I'm thinking the insurance, if it allows you to change time, etc., might be worth it...? Anyone willing to double check my interpretation, especially of the insurance info? I am very hesitant to go ahead with it as I have a limited comprehension of French.

Michael, I know it doesn't make sense, but I find it easier to drive than deal with trains. Maybe it's the adrenalin, but I don't have a problem driving (with a good navigator) after an international flight. But, since station is so simple, I might just go the train.

Gretchen

If you can take the train from CDG, that is the way to go!! make your car arrangements, of course.

iris1745

Celianne;Consider going to CHARTRES that might take you one and a half hours to reach from CDG. It has a wonderfull cathedral. Then it would be an easy drive on the N12 to MSM. Also, if you have not booked a hotel for MSM, look at Chateau de Bouceel. It is the 'best' for location and price. ENJOY Iris

StuDudley

I would be comfortable with a 2 1/2 hr train connection.

I would be curious about the insurance also. My wife reads/speaks French - but she's out right now.

It would be better to hear from someone who actually had to use the insurance. How many articles have we read in travel magazines about cancellation insurance that was not what it's really made out to be?

Perhaps start a new thread
"French TGV cancellation insurance - what does it cover?" and stress that you would like to hear from someone who has needed to use it.

I don't recall too many discussions (if any) about this insurance.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

Correction - you have a 3 1/2 hr connection. That's even better.

Unless your plane is 1 hr late, AND it takes longer than 1 1/2 hrs to retrive your bag (or some combination amounting to 2 1/2 hrs) there should not be a problem. Remember, you only need to get to the train 2 mins before departure - not 30 mins like you need to do on an airplane.

Stu Dudley

Michael

This year I purchased the insurance. It allows for the cancellation of or changing (although not necessarily at the original price) the ticket, but does not apply, if I remember correctly, to a missed train.

Celiaanne

Thanks again to everyone. All good ideas. I'd thought of Chartres too as I've never been there. Sounds beautiful.

I think the reason I'm having a tough time deciding where/when/how is that I am "forced" to go to MSM at the very beginning of my time in the area and MSM is right in the middle of the area I would like to visit. So, I'm backtracing no matter what I do, instead of making a loop...

I would like to see some of the coast (and small towns) in Brittany and/or Normandy, maybe Rennes and Rouen but especially MSM and D-Day Beaches. Just can't figure out the best way to do this.

Love the planning, love the researching, but HATE the decision making!

I'll explore the insurance question. Thanks, Michael.

herself

Did this trip a few years ago with my sisters. Three old ladies driving out of CDG airport. Our first night was in Rouen with a stop in Giverny for Monet's gardens and lunch. Rouen, being the old capitol of Normandy has so much history connected to it that it was a must. Elizabeth and Henri etc.
It's a lovely ride thru this part of France to MSM. Too many beautiful villages that kept calling. We could have spent all our time around this area.
Is La Croix Blanche at MSM? If so, the mount does not need two nights.
Enjoy your trip. I wish my DH would be willing to go to Normany with me. I know he would love it and I would love to return. He is just being stuborn about going to France.

Celiaanne

Thanks, herself. Yes, La Croix is on MSM. I am thinking of canceling one night as it really can't be used as a base. I don't like one-night stays, but I guess that is going to be necessary.

Going to Rouen first is exactly what I was thinking whenn planning, followed by the Beaches and then SMS, but the darn tide schedule make me change my itinerary....to a more complicated one with backtracking involved, which I don't like to do.

This will be my husband's first trip to France -- told him I was looking into going alone as my usual European travaling companion, my sister, can't go right now. He decided he would join me. I've been wanting to see the Beaches for quite a while, and I think he will too. Buy your husband one of the books or renting movies on D-Day -- maybe that will change his mind!

kenn

Celiaanne: I have been following your MSM-Normandy Beaches inquires with great interest. Early September I will be making a similar trip, either before or after several days in Paris. I have researched motor coaches, rental car and preferred method, trains. Lots of logistics to consider whatever method you choose. Using Paris as a base and taking bus or train escorted day trips may be the simplest. http://aparistravel.com/Normandy%20day_tours.htm I would prefer an over night or two in Bayeux so I hope you let us know your final itinerary. Two questions: 1. What airline gets you into CDG at 7AM? 2. MSM tide schedules?

Celiaanne

Hi Kenn,

We will be in Paris for 2 weeks, so I thought I would use our other week to "do" Normany and Brittany. I am still working on the itinerary (having some reservation problems at the moment), but will let you know when I finalize -- at least the first few days, as I might do as Stu suggested before and try to wing a few days.

We are on a United flight from IAD that arrives 6:55 a.m.

Here's the site with the tide schedule: http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/restaurants2_gb.htm. Just click on Times of Tides. (Hope I'm reading and understnding it correctly!)

StuDudley

Tides are things you really need to consider when visiting some areas of Brittany. We were there for 2 weeks last year near Penvenan. We rented a Gite that was almost directly on the water. I had a day-by-day itinerary all laid out - which I had to completly discard when we got to our Gite and witnessed water on our doorstep in the morning, and 6 hours later - no water in sight.

We were there for 3 weeks in '01 and stayed near Dinan for 2 weeks and near Pt Aven for another. Tides in these areas really didn't impact our schedule because the coast was mainly high cliffs.

Stu Dudley

Celiaanne

Stu, maybe you can help me. I wanted to be on MSM for the highest tides, so I checked the April schedule (http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/restaurants2_gb.htm) and decided I should stay on the 9th and 10th when the tides are highest.

Is this a mistake? I know I sound clueless, and I am -- in spite of doing research.

Celiaanne

What I mean is...do I WANT to be there on the highest tide days...or is it a big hassle with little difference...confusing!

StuDudley

April 6,7,8,9 seem to be the highest tides.

I'm not sure it makes a big difference. Just about all the tides from April 5 to 10 are abnormally high - I think that's what the Range of 109 is indicating. We've never visited MSM in April, but when we were last there in June, the place was intolerable by 10:30 because of the crowds and all the postcard stands, trinket displays, racks with cereal bowls with every child's name on them - that the vendors pulled out in front of their shops. We got there at 8:00am before the crowds & shop openings and it was perfect.

I agree with others that MSM itself is a half-day visit. If you are even somewhat of a morning person and can get there by 8am, then any day from the 6th through the 9th would be an excellent time to be there.

Stu Dudley