rjs

My husband and I will be in Paris in Sept 2010. We were planning on taking a train from Paris to Bayeux. However, I had read a post that someone said the train stopped first in Caen, then went on to Bayeux. We want to see Normandy and were thinking of staying in Bayeux as our base (to also visit other towns nearby). I'm having a hard time getting a hotel in the town of Bayeux. Do you think that Caen would also be a good place for a base? We were planning on renting a car once we settled in either Bayeux or Caen and driving around there area from there. Any suggestions would be really appreciated!! Thanks!

StCirq

Caen was bombed to smithereens in WWII; Bayeux was pretty much unscathed. For that reason, Bayeux is a far prettier place. I wouldn't want to stay in Caen.

The Corail train does stop in Caen before continuing to Bayeux. I would get off at Caen and pick up your rental car there, as there are many options right at the train station, unlike in Bayeux. It's only a 20-minute drive from Caen to Bayeux.

Not sure why you're having trouble finding a hotel in Bayeux. There are many good choices.

Michael

Since you plan to rent a car, you do not need to stay in Bayeux or Caen proper. You could stay in a B&B or gites (if the stay is long enough) anywhere in that area.

http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites...ambres_d_hotes

http://www.france-voyage.com/

grandmere

What St. Cirq said.

Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux is nice, reasonably priced.
Le Petit Bistro recommended for dinner, walking distance from Hotel d'A.

rjs

The reason I'm having trouble finding a hotel in Bayeux is that almost everyone that I tried to book for the time period we're going is full up and has no vacancies. However, I tried again today and found one vacancy at a hotel in the city of Bayeux! Thanks for all your help!

rhaithcock

HELP!! I am training to Normandy from Paris in late August. I cannot find any rental car available on SUNDAY, anywhere in Normandy! Any advice? I was thinking of training into Caen or Bayeaux and staying the night - then getting a car in the morning. Thoughts? HELP??

laurie_ann

It may not be that cars are not available generally but that the rental car offices are not open on Sundays. For example I checked Avis in Caen and neither the airport nor the rail station office is open on Sunday August 28. If you must leave Paris on a Sunday, consider picking up your rental car in Paris on that Sunday and driving to Normandy. (Avis at least shows the airports and a few city locations in Paris that are open on Sundays.) Or train to Normandy on a Sunday, stay in the city your train arrives at overnight and pick up the rental car Monday morning.

TimS

Most of the locations at the major train stations in Paris are open on Sundays. It shouldn't be too difficult to drive OUT of Paris on a Sunday. Most of the traffic will be coming into the city.

tdk320n

We went to Bayeaux last May and stayed at a lovely moderately priced hotel which had been recommended on this forum; Not sure if you checked this one. The name is HOTEL BAQEAUX REINE MATHILDE. It is in the center of the town.
We were staying in Paris, took an early morning train to Caen, saw the fabulous museum , took the train from there to Bayeaux, saw the great tapestries, spent a delightful evening in Bayeaux. We took a Band of Brothers tour the next day and returned to Paris that night, All in all a really interesting and worth while 2 days.

Elizscha

Bayeux is fabulous. I was there years ago and fell in love with the area. We stayed at the Lion D'Or and it is perfectly situated. Bayeux-tourisme.com is your best bet. We are planning on being in Bayeux in October 2010

Judyrem

Yes, Eilzscha, Bayeux is fabulous, I loved it. Do stay there RJS. I probably would have stayed in Lion D'Or. I liked the location better than Hotel D'Argogues.

Mainhattengirl

Bayeux is so pretty and perfect for strolling around on pleasant evenings, or mornings for that fact. We stayed at the Hotel du St.Croix and thought it was an absulutely lovely B&B. Delicous breakfast and charming hostess with beautiful decor and antiques through-out.
http://www.hotel-de-sainte-croix.com...tml/acces.html

We liked the Battlebus tours, did the 2 day American Experience and can't wait to go back and do more of them, especially the British Experience and Canadian Experiece. Thought the WW2 Museum in Bayeux was excellent.

Scootoir

It's been a few years but we have taken the train from Paris to Caen twice, in 1998 & 2002. Picked up rental car in Caen and stayed at the Hotel Churchill in Bayeux both trips. Very comfortable hotel, pleasant staff and easy parking. Love the cathedral in Bayeux and walking to dinner every night. On the second trip we went as far as Mont St. Michel. Driving was easy in the area and there is so much to see.