need help for Caen, Bayeux and Normandy arrangement
 

Hi, i am finalizing our itinerary and need help on Normandy part.

The most recent plan is travel from Paris to Bayeux and stay over night there (day 1) and then take a tour (or not) on the next day for Normandy, and then if the tour only takes half day, we will go to MSM (day 2). Otherwise we will go on the third day and after the visit we will drive right to Amboise on the same day (day 3).

The problem is we cant find rental car available in Bayeux for our dates (we will return the car to Versailles and stay there for one night and then go to visit Versailles the day after), but there are some in Caen.

The question is if we should stay in Caen or pick up the car and drive to Bayeux (i dont know why we need to goto Bayeux though :). My understanding the museums for ww2 is near Caen, am i right?

also, shall we join a tour for the Normandy tour? or we can drive around by ourselves?

third question is how long will the visit to Mount Saint Michael take considering we depart from Cern/Bayeux? Is it possible for us to drive to Tours on the same day?

Sorry for all these questions. Thank you in advance.

We have twice taken the train from Paris to Caen, picked up a rental car and driven from there. On the first visit we went to the Memorial Peace Museum in Caen then drove to Bayeux. The next day to the American Cemetery and Omaha beach. We loved the Bayeux cathedral and enjoyed the town. On the second trip we visited the British Cemetery in Bayeux, the Bayeux WWII museum, the town of Arromanches and Mont St. Michel. Stayed at the Hotel Churchill both trips, comfortable and easy parking.

We found it easy to drive in Normandy and enjoyed touring on our own. I think it is less than 2 hours to drive to Mont St. Michel from Bayeux. You could go from Bayeux to MSM to Tours in the same day with planning.

Bayeux is one of the most charming towns in France. It is well worth your time to stay there for a day to visit the cathedral and the Bayeux tapestry. Omaha Beach and the American cemetary are a short drive from Bayeux and easy to visit on your own.

Rent your car in Caen, visit the museum there, drive to Bayeux, stay overnight, see the cathedral and the tapestry, Omaha beach and the American cemetary, drive to MSM.

I thought Bayeux was okay, but never would call it one of the most charming towns in France. If you aren't interested in the tapestry, I don't see any reason you have to go into Bayeux, no.

thanks everyone, scootoir in particular: ) exactly what i want to do and know.

i will goto MSM. so i guess i will spend at least couple of hours in Bayeux anyway.

Is parking in these places as well as in Loire Valley easy and cheap (or free)?

scrap the plan. MSM closes after 1/11 :(