Places to stay for a tour of Normandy
 

We will arrive Paris and want to spend four days in Normandy before driving south to Bordeaux to board our river cruise. We are looking for tips for a great bed and breakfast or apartment in the Normandy area to rent for two couples. We will have a car. Any tips will be appreciated.

Bayeux is close to the W.W.II landing beaches and also has the famous tapestry that is worth a visit. It is also close enough for a day trip to the Mont St. Michel.

Thanks. Are there any bed and breakfast hotels or inns that you recommend?

I use http://en.gites-de-france.com/search-book.html and http://www.france-voyage.com/en/ to find places.

I don't have any specific recommendations for B&B's but you can look at tourist office websites as just one of many resources to find one that suits your needs. There are also many websites where you can search for a B&B in France (B&B's are called chambres d'hôtes in French). The three that I always use are:

www.abritel.fr
www.homelidays.com
www.gites-de-france.com

If you need tips on things to see and do in Normandy have a look at this thread:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic....html#39058384

Bayeux is great place to stay. I stayed in a chateu just outside of town. Absolutely spectacular and affordable.
Swans swimming in pond in front of stone chateau as you
enter driveway. They have rooms in the chateau and
townhouse style apartments in a newer/rebuilt separate building that would accomodate 2 couples perfectlly.
Breakfast available in chateau. Hotel-Chateau de Bellefontaine, 49, rue de bellfontaine 02 31 22 00 10.
Located just east of the ring road near train station.
When driving from Paris, see Caen Cathedral, just about only thing to survive WWII, and must see is the Museum of the Liberation on way to Bayeux. They close early 4 or 5 p.m.
Bayeux has tapestry, and plaza that DeGaule first addressed
French after invasion, also Eisenhower. Bayeux was not bombed and remained almost intact, and was first city liberated in France, by English/Canadians.
Day trips to coast to see bunkers are easy, must see Langue sur Mer (if memory serves me) only cannons still intact.
Point du hoc, Omaha and Utah beaches, cemetaries and Sainte Mer Eglise,where John Steele famously hung on parachute on DDay a.m., first village liberated and Airbone Museum with gliders and planes.See "The Longest Day" movie or book for historical feel.
Bon Journie!

My husband and I stayed at the Hotel de la Sainte Croix in Bayeux in May 2012. We really enjoyed it. Madame Florence was a great host. There is only enough parking for 2 cars at the B&B but there is free parking in a municipal lot about 2 blocks away. Bayeux is a great location for touring the area and we really liked the town itself.

Château de la Bellefontaine is my favorite place to stay in Bayeux. Incredibly affordable for what it is.

We loved Bayeux. You might try the B&B Aggarthi in Bayeux. It's between the train station and the city center, a few blocks from both the Bayeux Tapestry as well as the cathedral, and only a short walk to where the D-Day tours depart from. It does have room for at least some parking within the compound. Check out the reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor and booking.com

2 of my favorites spots in Normandy are La Ferme de la Ranconniere outside of Arromanches and not far from the D day museum if you are doing it.
http://www.ranconniere.fr/?lang=en
This is a 13th century farmhouse and when we were there still operated by the family. It was also occupied by the Nazi's in WWII. When we noticed the wall around the farm we asked if it was to keep out the Germans, the answer no, to keep out the British, that's how far back. Rooms truly lovely, food in a separate dining building was also great.

We also spent one night on Mont St Michel, at la Vielle Auberge. Not in the caliber of Ranconniere but with the atmosphere of the Mont it was very special. To have toured the Abbey, and been there after most of the tourists leave, sitting on the wall with a bottle of wine to watch the ocean rush in was wonderful, along with a nice dinner. Rooms are probably smaller than they appear on line, but fine for one night.
http://www.lavieilleauberge-montsain...rie-photos.php

Both have parking (at the Mont you get a special pass after check in (if you go, only take a small overnight bag with you the streets are really really narrow and packed during the afternoon). la Ferme has 30+ rooms, Auberge maybe 10.
By the way if you have not thought about it, Monet's gardens are an easy visit from Normandy on your way into Paris.

Have a great trip.

We also stayed at Château de la Bellefontaine.

I looked around very carefully at other places and I believe this was the nicest.

It is very laid back French. We were put in the newer building which was kind of motel-ish but very roomy.

The setting is lovely.

hotel Churchill. it's a beautiful family owned hotel. Check it out online. i also agree...check out tripadvisor.

Another vote for the Churchill Hotel. We had two rooms there and loved our stay.

We also had a great stay at the Hotel Reine Mathilde, also in Bayeux. Very similar to the Churchill in that it is very affordable, in a great location, and the staff are very helpful.

I would definitely stay at both of these hotels again, FWIW.

Thanks for all the great information. It helps with my planning.

Another vote for Hotel Churchill. We stayed there a year and a half ago. Very kind and helpful staff and just a walk out the back to catch the vans for the Normandy tours. If you haven't selected a tour yet I would suggest Paul Woodlage (not sure about the spelling but close), he was absolutely excellent.

Hotel Lion d'Or is wonderful, walk everywhere in Bayeaux, plenty of parking, excellent restaurant, historical.

Sorry for the incorrect spelling, the Normandy tour guide is Paul Woodadge. Marvelous!!!

Are your interests centered around Bayeaux and the WWII sites?

If not, look into Rouen and Honfleur as possible charming stays.

Have a look at my TR/blog to see if that helps:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-uk-stops.cfm

We actually stayed in 2 places in/around Bayeux and much preferred the Chateau de Damigny over the Churchill Hotel, but that's us.

From the TR:

<b>Bayeux , Churchill Hotel</b> (2 nights)
1 family room, 190€/night. Stayed here because the chateau below wasn’t available all 5 nights. Nice choice for staying in town. Parking worked out but their claim that they have parking is a little dubious (not 24 hrs in my book though there are some options that aren’t too far away). Very helpful and friendly staff, particularly the gentleman in the afternoon. Pricey breakfast was not included so we ate elsewhere.

<b>Bayeux, Chateau de Damigny </b>(3 nights)

http://www.chateaudamigny.fr/?lang=en

2 rooms, €80 each including breakfast. 5 minute drive into Bayeux. Family run and very peaceful. Fairly new B&B with 5 rooms. Rooms were nice; nothing fancy about the common areas or outside but friendly. Best part was the ”table d’hotes” with the hosts and other guests. 28€ pp (half for kids) including multiple course and drinks. Vincent has trained as a chef in addition to running the B&B and the food was outstanding and spending the night with the other guests was very enjoyable. We did it two nights. Best food of the week; felt very French. Highly recommended.

Appreciate all the help. I will be locking some things down soon.