Hi,
We are finalizing our trip to Normandy and Brittany and it was suggested we leave our car in Rouen, stay there and take the train right to the CDG. My husband was a bit nervous about missing the place, but we won't leave until 1 or 2 which should give us plenty of time to get there. We will leave our rental (any suggestions on types) that night and find a restaurant near our hotel. Any hotel suggestions--nice but convenient.
Thanks for your help,
jjashworth

How exactly do you intend to take the train to CDG from Rouen? I mean you can do it, sort of, but you have to take the train into Paris to gare St Lazare and then transfer somehow (combo of walking/metro/RER) to get to the RER B line at Gare du Nord to the airport.

At least, that's the only way I know -- did someone tell you there was a direct train from Rouen to CDG?

Hi Christine,
I am sorry. I meant Rennes, but when I check the SNCF Website they refuse to recognize CDG Airport or Roissy. I have finally given up. Stu mentioned that we should leave our rental in Rennes, stay overnight and take the train right to the airport. I can not find such animal. I see where you can do it from the airport to Rennes, but not reversible. Would appreciate your help or anyone who would know. Stu--can you help with this? If it is 3 hours or more and not many trains, it might not work if we have to be at the airport by 12 0r so.
thanks,
jjashworth

Looks like they have changed the direct train from Rennes to CDG a bit. On Sun Sept 16, 2007 we took the 9:10am TGV that arrived at 12:14pm. Now it leaves Rennes at 9:15 and arrives at 12:37. The schedule I checked was for April travel this year. Perhaps the summer schedule is different.

Stu Dudley

Thanks, Stu,
I am afraid that we would be an hour too late by train. It was a great idea. We are more upset about the prices of the fares right now and hope they come down. Maybe we can come up with some way to get rid of the car closer to Paris and still be able to get to the airport without the hastle of returning a rental.
jjashworth

Hi, again,
Is it possible to stay in a cute town like giverny and leave our rental car there? We would rather stay in a small town near the airport. Our other alternative is stating at the airport but we will be eating in a commercial place and hanging around till 11:30 waiting for our plane. Any thoughts?
jjashworth

You'd want to stay in a town with a TGV connection to CDG. Giverny (Vernon) would get you to central Paris, on a regular train.

If your flight doesn't leave till after 1:00, I would just drive to CDG from les Andelys or another town close by (I wasn't impressed with Vernon).

Stu Dudley

Just a thought. I have returned cars several times at CDG, both at Terminal 1 and 2, and have not found it difficult. The signs are clear, if very deep within the airport, and if one stays in the left lane, the terminal traffic is not a problem. There are several Chateaux within a half an hour drive of the airport which offer reasonable lodgings and include breakfast in their rates. They include the Chateau de Montvillargane ($$$$)and the Chateau des Bondons ($$$).

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will check out those 2 chateaus. We may just stay in "chateau" Courtyard 10 minutes from the airport. My husband doesn't believe the excellent reviews from there and would rather stay in a nicer place for the last night so I will check these out. We just want to make it simple, but we may just drive right to the airport and stay outside of it somewhere.
Thanks, so much,
jjashworth

okay, we are getting closer. We are staying in Trebeurden at a lovely hotel on the water for 1 night and then need a place to stay near Vannes or Rennes that is maybe on the water or inland is fine so we can drive to CDG airport on the last day and stay at or near the airport. We would like something nice with an excellent restaurant.
Any suggestions?
thanks,
jjashworth

Except for Sunday, there is a direct TGV leaving Rennes at 06:10 and arriving at CDG at 09:14.

Two other places you could consider staying are Chantilly and Senlis, both just north of CDG.

HI jjashworth,

The SNCF site does have CDG. It is posted as "Paris CDG airport". We are looking at taking a train from CDG to Rennes.

Hi,
We have changed our plans again. We will stay near Lorient 1 night, drive to Rennes, leave the car at a rental place and take a train to Paris CDG Airport where we can get a shuttle to the Courtyard Hotel. We will stay overnight and leave the next day for the US. That will give us all day to get to the Courtyard, with hopefully a little time to see some of Rennes and a leissurely train ride. Now to get the train schedule. I find that CDG is rejected but I will try Paris CDG and see what happens.
Thanks again for all your help,
jjashworth