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Paris, Normandy & Amsterdam with College Graduate

Paris, Normandy & Amsterdam with College Graduate

Old Nov 19th, 2017, 07:25 AM
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Paris, Normandy & Amsterdam with College Graduate

My son is graduating from college in April. We are planning to surprise him with a trip to Europe. We will be flying into Paris on May 1st and flying out of Paris on May 17th. We are planning on visiting Paris, Normandy Region/Mt. St. Michel and Amsterdam. Haven't a clue how to get to Normandy and where to stay for three days. Also don't know where to stay in Paris where my 21 year old will enjoy and won't break the bank (>$500 a night for two rooms). Also considering renting from AirBnB and VRBO.

All suggestions for our itinerary is welcomed. Thank you for all your help.

Katherine
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 08:27 AM
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I'd catch the train out of Paris to Rouen and hire a car from there, getting out of Paris is a bit of a pain. Look at seat61.com to understand the French rail system. Depending on how well you handle jet lag you might just take a car from CDG rather than go into Paris and put all your Paris time at the end of the holiday. Where to stay, certainly Bayeux is a great little place to stay, road transport is not great in Normandy but Bayeux is pretty good. It also has a Medievel structure and the "tapestry".

Amsterdam and Paris are both better visited by the local train/tram/bus system, so get rid of the car when you come back from Brittany.

You might like to look at St M staying on the island, just one night but v pleasant.
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 08:35 AM
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Yes take train to Normandy -I'd suggest to Caen - if going to D-Day beaches area and drive to Bayeux - great base for D-day beaches and drive to Mont Saint-Michel and to Rennes, returning car and taking train to Paris.

Paris-Amsterdam about 3.5 hours on train (www.thalys.com).

for lots on trains and booking own discounted tickets online check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

without car take train to Bayeux and hook up with mini-bus tours to D-Day beaches highlights and take train to Pontorson- 6 miles from Mt Saint-Michel and then buses from MSM right to TGV train in Rennes to Paris.

Best way Normandy to Amsterdam is via Paris.
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 08:38 AM
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Book a fast train from Paris to Amsterdam about 90 days in advance. Try to land in Paris and leave from AMS.
Good luck with their security. Be nice to them.

Have a good trip !

Most airbnb are illegal in paris.
2000 RMB per night per room is enough. Check on booking.com.
Select the area you want to be in - look at a map of paris per arrondissement and select the art. 6-7 as most US tourists seem to do.
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 08:51 AM
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In Paris, if you do not see a 13-digit registration number on the websites you consult, it will be an illegal apartment.

Agencies may list properties without the 13-digit registration number, and are not breaking any laws.

The burden falls on the property owner, who has to apply for the registration number before the end of December 2017.
This number cannot be faked, as it is tied to the financial information of the property owner, and there is only space for 13 digits.
If the property owner has a year-long tenant, it must be specified in writing (in advance) that the tenant may sub-let. This is highly unusual, so I would be on my guard.

You don't really need an apartment, you just need 2 connecting rooms with a minibar. You'll probably be out all day anyway.
I'd suggest you search on booking.com in the 6th arrondissement. There's lots to do there, and good Metro connections.
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 09:07 AM
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You didn't mention this specifically but I am assuming you are thinking of flying into Paris and then return from Amsterdam on an open jaws ticket. That would save you the time returning to Paris. Also, just FYI, May 1st is a holiday in Paris.

If you decide to stay in a hotel I have recommended this one to friends, the Hotel Odessa. It is a pretty simple 2 star place but nicely located in Montparnasse and easy walking distance to St Germain and the Latin Quarter. They have family rooms although at your sons age you will probably want to get 2 adjoining rooms:

http://www.hotel-odessa.com/en/superior-room/
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 09:15 AM
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Be aware that May 1 is a major holiday in France and many things will be closed - including (probably) car rental places in Paris. CDG rentals will most likely be open There are other bank holidays in France in May. Hotels seem to get booked up then..

Option 1.
I suggest that you land at CDG, rent a car, and spend the first 2 nights in Honfleur - a 2 1/4 hr drive. If all drivers have trouble with just lag - see Option 2. Explore the Pays d'Auge by car.

Then 2 nights in Bayeux & do the WWII stuff and explore some more of Normandy (there is MUCH more to Normandy than WWII sites).

Late in the day, drive to MSM & spend the night. We're staying here next year https://www.auberge-saint-pierre.fr/en/

Explore more of MSM the next morning. Then drive to Rennes, visit, return the car & take the 1 1/2 hr TGV to Paris.

Visit Paris

TGV/Thalys to Amsterdam. One train change involved. Fly home from Amsterdam.


Option 2
Fly to Amsterdam

TGV/Thalys to CDG airport (one train change involved). Rent a car & do Normandy.

TGV Rennes to Paris & spend your remaining time in Paris. Fly home from Paris.

Stu Dudley
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 09:46 AM
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If you are stuck with flights in & out of Paris, I would skip Amsterdam. If will consume most of a day (5 hrs + to & from train station time) both going & coming. Add some time in Brittany and skip Amsterdam.

>>Paris-Amsterdam about 3.5 hours on train (www.thalys.com).
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 09:57 AM
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It sounds like you have already booked your flights - right? It would have been better in to Paris and home from Amsterdam (or vice versa).

As it is you will want to be IN Paris the night of the 16th so that sorta screws up the itinerary.

If Amsterdam is a must, I'd get it out of the way first. Either immediately fly on to AMS from CDG or take the trains via Brussels. Flying would be easier since you will already be at the airport - but you need to allow a lot of time to transit through CDG. Then return to France and do the rest of your plan.

Or -- either of Stu's suggestions would work . . .
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 10:23 AM
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Thank you for your suggestions. We got an amazing deal on our flights from Chicago in/out of Paris for $430. So yes we are locked in. We fly out on May 1st at 7:30 at night and land in Paris on May 2nd. Flying to Amsterdam soon as we land in Amsterdam is a good idea. We all want to go to Amsterdam due to seeing the Dutch Masters. Probably spend four nights.

Should we train from Amsterdam to the Normandy area in well full day (if Possible) then come back to Paris. We leave at night on the 17th.


I have been trying to get to Normandy for years, but it was so out of the way when we booked our other European trips that I am determined to get there this time. D-Day Beaches are a must, love to stay at Mt. St. Michael. How many days should we stay to fully enjoy the region?

Does anyone have any recommended places to stay or tours to go on in the Normandy area.
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 01:24 PM
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Visit Paris

TGV/Thalys to Amsterdam. One train change involved. Fly home from Amsterdam

Not from Paris - direct trains but yes coming back if going to CDG Airport have to go to Brussels and change to TGV to CDG Airport.

Better to yes fly as janis suggests -fly right away from CDG to Amsterdam and train to Paris and same day to Caen or Bayeux.

From Bayeux the mini-bus tours in one day will show you the highlights - then a day to MSM (driving would be neat but again you can go by train or the rest of places).
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 01:56 PM
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Bayeux is the best base IMO - one of few cities in the area not decimated during WW2 (like Caen was) and has its own main sights like the famous cathedral and museum with Queen Matilhda's Tapestry woven just after 1066 Norman Conquest of England and documents it. And a nice regional city.

You can get direct trains there from Bayeux to Pontorson for buses from station to MontSM. Hotels on tiny island itself are limited but there is a gaggle of hotels on mainland right opposite the island where the causeway greets the mainland and views of the Mont all illuminated at night from there is stupendous.
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 02:38 PM
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>>Should we train from Amsterdam to the Normandy area in well full day (if Possible) then come back to Paris.>I have been trying to get to Normandy.....How many days should we stay to fully enjoy the region?

Five - 6 nights. I think 4-5 nights (3-4 days) in Amsterdam, 6 nights (6 days) in Normandy, and 7 nights/6 1/2 days in Paris would be perfect.

Be careful to where you are in Sundays. If you try to pick up a car in Paris, Caen, or Bayeux - the train stations might be closed. Some close around noon on Saturday. Rental offices at CDG airport should be open.

My wife & I have vacationed for several weeks in Normandy & Brittany. I developed an itinerary that describes our favorite villages, scenic drives, markets, restaurants, etc. I have sent my various itineraries (I have others) to over 6,000 people on Fodors. If you would like a copy, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail.

Stu Dudley
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 02:44 PM
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We took the train from Paris to Caen and rented a car there. Easy driving there. We stayed in Bayeux and really liked the village. Good places to eat, nice laundromat, good pub. Churchhill hotel http://www.hotel-churchill.fr/en/

I like apartments in Paris but you could look at an apartment like this, https://www.citadines.com/en/france/...ris/index.html

You know it would be cheaper and shorter to take the eurostar to London but if you really want Amsterdam book three to four months in advance. I think four months out is earliest.
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 07:38 PM
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Thank you for your suggestions to fly to Amsterdam after we land at CDG. A round trip ticket from Paris is very doable. We would then travel to Normandy. Is it easy to Drive from CDG to Normandy? Is it easier to pick up a car at CDG especially on a Sunday or should we train from CDG on Saturday then pick up a car?
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 08:27 PM
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>>Is it easier to pick up a car at CDG especially on a Sunday or should we train from CDG on Saturday then pick up a car?
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 10:05 PM
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If I understand you do : land in CDG then fly tonSms
Then train to paris. Correct ? It would be easier than taking a flight from AMS to Cdg.
Then take another train to say Bayeux and rent the car there. Drop in bayeux and take another train back to paris.
The trains in Paris are in center of town - 45 min at leat from CDG.
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Old Nov 19th, 2017, 11:28 PM
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Take the train to Haute Normandie - here's a handy website:
http://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/plan...ris-633-2.html

Then you can pick up a car in Bayeux, or go on a guided tour. All this is explained in the link, above.

Looks like there are only 2 hotels on Mont St Michel - Auberge Saint Pierre and La Vieille Auberge.
It's a good thing you will land on May 2, by the way.

You have plenty of time to book tickets on the train. Book 90 days in advance for best prices.
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Old Nov 20th, 2017, 03:13 AM
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I suggest you take Stu Dudleys advice about renting at CDG and heading to Normandy. If you take the train to Caen, you have to go into Paris to catch that train.
We did much the same as Stu's itinerary, but did drive back to Paris via a stop in Chartres and returned the car at Orly, which is not difficult. Taxi into Paris.
Or go to Versailles and take the train from there.

We spent our first night in Rouen and saw the sights there so it wasn't a long drive. Giverney is also a possibility. There is a road north out of Rouen toward Honfleur--the Route des Abbes--which passes a number of medieval abbeys which are VERY interesting.

I recommend the Michelin Green Guide to Normandy for your planning--AND for your tour to see the D-Day beaches.
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Old Nov 20th, 2017, 03:14 AM
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And yes, Normandy is much more than the beaches--great cheese and cider. Be sure to visit a fromagerie and ciderie.
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