travel by train or car
 

My husband and 3 daughters are staying in Paris 7 days and would like to visit Normandy, Mont. St. Michel, as well the other area's of interest along the way. What would be the best way to travel, by car or train?

I started to say definitely by car, then noticed you are staying in Paris for 7 days, so I'm not sure. You do not want to drive in Paris, but it is much easier and more enjoyable to have a car to travel around Normandy, etc.

Car rental for one week for 5 people will be much cheaper than individual train fares, but car rental for less than a week is expensive. There are fly and drive rail passes, which combine both. It's been many years since I used a rail pass, but you might look into this, especially if it still includes RER transportation around Paris.

It sounds like you have list of places that you want to stop at. Traveling in Normandy is probably easiest by car. We took the train from Paris to Caen (which saved having to negotiate metro Paris streets).

Hi nb,

Is this your first visit to Paris?

If so, I suggest that you spend the whole week there.

((I))

Normandy asks for a car to visit... Have you tried to figure out the following:
- leave Paris by train to Caen
- rent a car in Caen an do your Normandy tour (2 or 3 days)
- on the day of departure, go to the airport with the car and leave it there.

Unless, as said before, if this is your 1st time to Paris, then stay in Paris.

Last year my sisters and I were considering traveling to Normandy. Here is a thread with the train vs. car discussion that you might find helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34546067