Normandy and the loire
 

Finally we decided to spend 8 days seeing Normandy and Loire Valley. I have tentitively planned on one night at the La Chaine d'or, two nights near Bayeux or the beaches(??where), one night near Mont. St. Michel, two nights near Samur at Hotel Le Prieure, and two at the Hotel Bon Laboureur near Chenonceau. I am wondering though if 4 nights is enough in Normandy. Do you think I should change and just spend 3 nights in the Loire and add another night, possibly staying in Honfleur or near the d day beaches. Any thoughts on the hotels also would be appreciated.

IMO there's more of interest in the Loire than Normandy for the average tourist

two nights each in Saumur and Chenonceau seems perfect to me

Well, I'm of the opposite view: I think there is a great deal more of interest in Normandy.

But to address the specifics, I wouldn't stay somewhere *near* Baueux, I'd stay IN Bayeux, a very charming town and very accessible to the Caen Memorial and the D-Day beaches. And you'll want to see the Bayeux tapestry as well.

As for Saumur and Chenonceau, it depends on what your focus in the Loire is. On the eastern end there is Angers and its fortress and tapestries as well as the Jean-Lurcat museum, Saumur itself, and some other sites of interest. The western end has the concentration of castles. So it depends on what you're headed to see in the Loire. But no matter what, IMO three days is enough.

Where would you spend the other day in Normandy???

Honfleur.

Do you think 2 nights in Bayuex and area is enough to see the d-day sights adequately? Also I see you recommend the Chateau Belmonte(did I spell it correct). From there do you need to drive into Bayuex and is it hard to park in Bayuex? Some of the d-day trips seem to start downtown at 8:30 so I am wondering if it is better to stay within walking distance. The place looks very nice. Thanks

There is a large parking lot just a hop skip and jump from Bayeux's compact town centre. On the south side i believe from where the autoroute would come in.

Two nights in Bayuex is enough IMO - really cute town but small and one day on the D-day tour also fine.

Since I'm planning approx the same thing, I hope cparris doesn't mind if I chime in.

Any hotel recommendations in Bayeaux (clean, central and moderately priced)?

Thank you.

Last summer we stayed at the Hotel Churchill in Bayeux. Loved it! Great location, right in the heart of the town, and the hotel itself was great. The rooms were well kept and the staff were very helpful. We had two rooms. One was quite small, the other quite large. The hotel does not have a lift, just in case that matters to you. It is also an easy walk to the train station.

We are headed back next year and would definitely stay there again.

I spent two weeks in Tours (at language school), and visited lots of chateaux on weekends; I enjoyed being there, but agree with St. Cirq that Normandy is more interesting than the Loire region.

I recommend Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux as a good place to base when visiting WW II sites. It's in town, w/in walking distance of Tapestry and good restaurants, has parking. The common areas of the hotel are charmingly decorated; the rooms themselves are more basic, but clean, and the owners are friendly and helpful.

La Chaine d'Or (in Petit Andelys) is a beautiful little hotel situated on the banks of the Seine, and it's a perfect stop after an overnight flight into CDG for those going on to Normandy.

I don't know a Chateau Belmont in or near Bayeux. Last time I was there I stayed at the Chateau de la Bellefontaine just outside town (easy 5-minute walk into town) and loved it.

I think 2 days is ample for Bayeux. It's a charming place, but small. And we never had a problem with parking, though mostly we walked when visiting the town itself.

I knew I was alittle off. That good that it is walkable into town from the Chateau de la Bellefontaine. If I stay in town I don't want to have to drive to get downtown.

If you don't care about seeing more than a token chateau then yes Normandy is more interesting - especially if you include Mont Saint-Michel in it though i think it's technically in Brittany.
Sans chateaux the Loire to me is hohum- not really exciting countryside.

We have decided to go to Normandy for 4 nights. March 19-23. Need to fill in a hole in our schedule, so are renting a car from CDG mid-afternoon WEd March 19, dropping it in central Paris Easter Sunday.

We plan to stay at Les Fontaines, a highly recommended B&B in Barbery, just outside Caen, on the nights of the 19th and 20th.

We need somewhere for the subsequent 2 nights -- presumably somewhat closer to Paris, our next stop.

Suggestions of towns and/ or establishments?

We are not D-day fans and prefer quaint towns, nice countryside, access to moderately good restaurants.

Stop by Jumieges en route to paris for something really romantic IMO

I'd spend a couple of nights in Rouen, or a night in Rouen and a night in Les Andelys.

Aside, St.Cirq, I always value your opinion. Have you seen Chateau d Sully near Bayeux? We've booked two nights in May (suggestion here).

I think I might cancel the Le Prieure hotel. Is one night enough for the Samur area??