Normandy first - hotel info?
 

Our family will be flying into Paris and then driving to Normandy for 5 days. I've looked at the Lion d'Or in Bayeux as one option as well as the Castel Albertine, Cheval Blanc and l'Absinthe in Honfleur. Given that we'd like to see Mont St Michel, the beaches, museums,etc., what is your opinion of the best location, should we look at two different hotel sites, stay in one central, anybody out there stayed in one of these places? thanks

Well, my family have stayed at the Lion d'Or and they liked it. Bayeux is a gorgous town - tons of lovely restaurants - where else other than france can you eat like a king on 3 courses for under 15 euros?! There are lots of great little shops too.<BR><BR>Honfleur is also lovely - very touristy during summer, but very pretty so worth visiting. I think Mont St Michel would be quite a long haul from Honfleur, so you'd prob be better going from Bayeux. Also, I know it's been said before - but do go early to the Mont St M, it does get horribly crowded. <BR>Enjoy!

Our family did the following last year (although some of it was because we had to change our rental car 4 times in 5 days). We stayed in Honfleur at the Cheval Blanc-we enjoyed it. Then drove over to Bayeaux and stayed for two nights at the Hotel D'argouges(went to Caen, battlefields,etc.) then went and stayed one night at MSM(worth it beyond words-magical at night without all the tourists,walking along the ramparts with the wind and the ocean.......) and then was recommended to go over to St. Malo for a night. We loved that area and wish that we could have stayed another night or two. Our family usually will try to do two nights at a hotel as to avoid the pack up and drive routine? Definitely stay in Bayeaux as it is a wonderful town with cute shops that are reasonable and great eating. The Petit Normand (?) that someone recommended actually was a great cheap place to eat and wonderful food! Enjoy the area-a great area to visit! Any other questions-feel free to ask!

I just returned last week from Bayeux. I stopped in at the Lion d'Or, the Churchill and the Hotel d'Argouges. Of the three, I preferred the Churchill. It was cheaper than the Lion d'Or, but right across the street and in the center of town. You could eat dinner at the Lion d'Or. The Hotel d'Argouges is beautiful, but about a 7-min walk up the main drag to the Place St Patrice. On Saturday morning the square turns into an amazing country market. I stayed at the hotel Mogador on the same square, only 37 EUR for a double room with private bath/shower and breakfast. The Churchill and Argougues were about 65 EUR, and the Lion D'Or required buying meals in addition to rooms. I had a great meal at the restaurant across the street from the cathedral - Le Petit Bistro. It was much much better than the Petit Normand. I booked a full day D-Day beaches tour with Battlebus, which was excellent.

You do not say when you will be there, which might change advise.<BR><BR>I would recomend staying a night at Mont-Saint-Michel. Perhaps doing that the last night of your Normandy trip. It was nice during the day (in March when the crowds are small), but really cool in the evening after dinner. <BR><BR> Keith