Normandy and Champagne
 

We're renting a car the end of April to travel through Normandy and then to Champagne. Please give us tips on what's great to see and what's not. Merci!

Normandy & Champagne?<BR>Don't drink and drive, pls

Cute reply.. but seriously does anyone have favorite spots along the Normandy coast, specifically from Omaha Beach to Honfleur to Fecamp?<BR><BR>And in the champagne region we're looking for quaint villages, champagne tasting and nice panoramas for photos. Please help!

If you are renting a car, you'll have no problem. I have heard from others that the Normandy beaches were not worth seeing, I personally disagree as it was an incredibly moving experience for myself and my wife. Good starting places to get to the beaches are Bayeux and Caen, where they have a bus service in case you don't want to drive to the beaches. As far as Champagne is concerned, I would recommend Reims, where they make Moet et Chandon, the company that makes Dom Perignon and you get tastings. In fact, there is a whole street in Reims that is nothing but Champagne caves and tours.

Hi Lori:<BR><BR> Make sure you spend some time in Hornfleur and Bayeaux as well as Mont St<BR>Michel which is on the border of Brittany and Normandy if possible. To <BR>bad you did not have more time to go to<BR>Brittany as San Marlo and Quimper are<BR>very nice. In champagne I think Reims<BR>but I have not been there yet. Have fun<BR> El

Hi Lori:<BR>I forgot to tell you to go to Giverny <BR>on the way to Normandy.<BR> Have a great time.<BR><BR> El

Lori,<BR><BR>This is in the "for what it's worth" category, as I don't have personal experiences to pass on.<BR><BR>But the Karen Brown website (www.karenbrown.com) has a lot of driving itineraries you can download for a fee (the Champagne region one is $5.49).<BR><BR>I downloaded the Champagne itinerary when I was planning to stay there last spring, and I thought it had a decent coverage (the Michelin Green Guide for the area was better, but that's no surprise). I decided not to go to the area, so I can't tell you how well it worked or if any of the villages were over-rated.<BR><BR>But the itinerary does give suggested routes, stops, sights, historical notes, etc. I thought it was worth the $5.49 for the immediate information and the level of coverage.<BR><BR>Hope this helps!<BR><BR>s