I'm trying to put together an itinerary for 6 days in September in the Normandy area and would love any suggestions. We want to see all of the beaches, cemeteries, Mt. St. Michel, etc. but also want to have time to roam at our leisure through quaint little towns. I've heard from several people and read that Honfleur is a lovely little coastal town but am concerned about being able to find a hotel where we can also park our car. Also since I don't have a feel for distances I am wondering if we should only plan on staying in one place for three nights and then move on to another area. I'm starting to panic and feel that by the time I make up my mind we won't be able to find accomodations! Has anyone used the Logis-de-France network of accomodations in that area?

Joan, <BR>Plenty of time to make your reservations. Mt. St. Michel is the only one you need to book ASAP. La Mere Poulard has lovely rooms. Tel NO. 02-33-60-14-01. Les Terasses Poulard in another one 02-33-60-14-09. You must stay on Mont to get the full effect of the place. Too many people during the day. I becomes magical by night. Pack a small bag for that night, the parking lot is at the base of Le Mont. <BR>My favorite in Honfleur is La Ferme Saint Simeon, it's a little expensive but well worth it. The best beds in town. See www.relaischateaux,fr/simeon <BR>You could spend the remaining nights at Colonel Chilcott. See www.vibo.com/vibo/352.htm Very inexpensive so you can spurge on Honfleur. Nice location for day trips. <BR>Have fun <BR> <BR> <BR>

Last weekend I stayed in Hotel le Cheval Blanc, which does offer car parking if you book in advance in a garage nearby... I think they only rent a few spaces there from the owners so you would need to book the space when booking the room. <BR> <BR>For more info on the hotel please see my recent post entitled Kavey's Normandy Trip Report/ Diary May 2001 which is currently fairly easy to find... it details the hotel a little more. <BR> <BR>I have also read goof things about the Ferme St Simeon but it was well outside our price range... <BR> <BR>Kavey

I was there for one day last year and did a whirlwind tour. I can't say much, but I can say that Point du Hoc is a muct on your itinerary. 50 years later, the level of destruction there is unbeleivable. It gives you a little bit of an idea of what it must have been like. Just standing on Omaha Beach at lowtide is pretty amazing. Those poor guys had a loooong walk/run/crawl before they would get any cover.

We based ourselves at the B and B owned by American Mike Cassady and his French wife outside the town of Caen. It was a great quiet location for exploring the beaches and a nice day drive to Mt St Michael. <BR> <BR>Name is Manior des Tourpes. Email is [email protected]. <BR> <BR>The place is in an old mansion and has four bedrooms. Ours was very large and overlooked the front yard and a nearby Dives River. Rate was 400F per night with breakfast for two. Mike was very helpful on routes to drive, etc. <BR> <BR>The day we were heading to Omaha we had breakfast with a German couple staying there. I don't think they were in the area for the same reason we were.

We stayed at the Hotel Lechat in Honfleur for several nights last year. Wonderful old hotel with very hospitable management. Honfleur is not to be believed - it is beautiful.

If you're interested in buying copper pots, visit Villedieu l'poile (probably don't have the spelling right). It's a lovely little town where the pots are made and are a lot cheaper than here in the US. Be sure to look for the mark that indicates the pot is made in Villedieu--some shops import them over other areas or countries. The shopkeepers that sell the local pots have signs explaining this. We stayed in Bayeux as we were only there for 2 nights and wanted to visit the D-Day beaches.

It's Villedieu-les-Poeles and you must make sure that the cookware is truly manufactured there. Good prices on the real thing - but heavy to carry back! (and the shopkeeper told me that shipping negates the cost savings of purchasing there - so I bought one lovely gratin pan and carried it back).

The food at FERME ST SIMEAN is very good and very expensive and away from the madding crowd. It is very formal. the following year we ate at one of the cafes that line the water and it was fun because you chat up with people. My favorite place to eat in that area is in Trouville -THE VAPEURS....The mussels are my favorite dish there