normandy trip
 

I am giong on a bike trip to normandy in May. the trip will cover all the D Day sites and 1/2 day in Bayeux. I thought I would rent a car and spend another 3 days tooling around. How much time should I spend in Caen? Is Falaise worth a visit? What other recommendations do you have for my 3 days? Can I rent a car in Normandy somewhere or will I have to go back to Paris? I've been to Rouen, am not into beaches unless there's something compelling to see besides water. I also like going to cute villages and tooling around. What do you all think?

I wouldn't spend more than a half day in Caen, truthfully, but would recommend it as a central place to rent a car (several agencies across from the train station's main entrance). While in Caen, visit the Abbaye, walk around a bit and enjoy a meal there. More info at http://www.ville-caen.fr/tourisme/

A car would be a good idea for visiting those charming little villages and some of the abbeys on the Route des Abbeyes. In Caen, visit both the Abbeye des Hommes and the Abbeye des Dames, then check out Honfleur for its delightful buildings around the harbor. From there you can head back toward Rouen, visiting villages along the way, turn the car in in the city, and take the train back to Paris.

I wouldn't spend more than half a day touring Caen itself, but I happily spent a half-day there at the Mémorial museum - one of the most memorable experiences of our last trip to Normandy.

thanks everyone for advice. Does anyone have any car rental recommendations in caen and any hotel reservations in caen too since it seems to be somewhat central.

We rented through www.autoeurope.com and the car was from Europcar; we had picked it up at CDG and then returned it in Caen, right across the street from the train station.

Wonderful little (as in tiny!) neighborhood bistro in Caen that I highly recommend: Bouchon de Vaugueux, 12, rue de Graindorge. We didn't make reservations and had to wait outside for 45 min. on a week night in early May. I'd call: 33 2 31 44 26 26

Have fun!

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I've used AutoEurope for car rentals for years and years - great company. You do know you should rent the car before you go, right?

I wouldn't stay in Caen, which isn't that appealing a city, especially when lovely Bayeux is only a half-hour away.

We love the Château de la Bellefontaine in Bayeux, but there seem to be a preponderance of Fodorites who recommend the Hôtel d'Argouges.

Le Petit Bistro in Bayeux is also a favorite here.

You might check out the gites-de-france and logis-de-france websites, e.g., http://www.gites-de-france-calvados.fr/default.asp, for little hotels or B&Bs in smaller towns in the vicinity of Caen, rather than staying in the city itself.