We have visited France in each of the last 8 years, spending most of our time in Provence, Paris, Brittany and Languedoc. <BR> <BR>As we have never visited Normandy, we are thinking spending a few days there before heading for lavender season in Provence in early July. I have driven each year. <BR> <BR>Please provide suggestions re either car or train to Normandy from Paris, time, convenience, etc. Also,what is a good place to stay--Bayeux, Caen, on the ocean. We plan to be in the Normandy area 3/4 days and then motor or train down to St. Remy in Provence. <BR> <BR>Any help you can give will be appreciated.

Anthony: We traveled by car from Paris (CDG) to Caen this past June. It was a very easy enjoyable drive of about 2 1/2 hours. If I remember correctly, the tolls were about $13. or so one way. We stayed in Caen, which was fine, but I think I would go for a coastal town the next time. There are some lovely scenic drives around Rouen and the main highway from Paris routes you very close to Rouen. Try to do Mont. St. Michel. You need a day to do it if you are staying in Bayeux. We found the Michelin Green Guide-Normandy very helpful. I know nothing about the trip by train, but lots of Fodorites do. It was lovely there.

I love St. Malo (old fortified seaport from whence departed Jacques Cartier) and Mont St.Michel (stayed at Hotel du Jardin des Plantes in Avranche), but it is a bit west for easy travel to Provence. On the other hand, if you were to rent a car in Paris, drive up to see Normandy, and drop your car in Rouen (indeed lovely and scenic drives along Seine), there is a direct TGV to Avignon in the morning that would save you a long drive. (currently leaving at 8:55, arrives at 14:52, but the schedule is only through June 9 so be sure to check times) You can check various trains through the German site www.hafas.de

Last June we rented a car in Versailles and drove through Rouen and Caen on our way to Bayeux. We stayed at the Hotel Churchill in Bayeux. We were only in the area for a total of two days, but were able to wander around Bayeux visiting the famous tapestry and the cathedral. We also took in Omaha beach, American Cemetary, Point du Hoc, the Mulberrys, and the Memorial Museum in Caen. I definitley recommend driving to Normandy since there are so many wonderful things to see and do. We didn't have the time to visit Mont St. Michel, but I guess I'll save that for a later trip.

I just noticed the Karen Brown recommends the Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux. See http://www.karenbrown.com/franceinns...dargouges.html

Was there exactly that time last year. In addition to what others have said we stopped in Giverny on the way from Paris and found it great. Also I loved Honfleur - it's a beautiful harbour with very old brightly colored tall houses. Also, near Mt St Michel is the town of Dinan which is also very nice. Both are less touristy than some places - but still plenty to see. If you have Karen Brown's book check out the Inn and town of Le Bec Hellouin (sp?)- extremely small but the inn (and the food) was wonderful and there is a beautiful old abbey. No problem driving at all.

We looked into car vs. train from Normandy to Paris last year and driving came out to be the better answer for expense, convenience and for time. The only real inconvenience, other than the gas strike, was locating the dropoff station (Gare du Nord) but since you're doing it the other way, that shouldn't be a problem. <BR> <BR>If you are dropping off in a different location than where you pick the car up, some rental companies have a dropoff fee, which is sometimes very steep, so be sure to look for it in the fine print. I think we ended up with Alamo, which actually turned out to be National in Europe. <BR> <BR>We stayed in Rouen for one of the days and Caen for two. The D-day sites were convenient from Caen and we also visited Mont St. Michel from Caen, although it was a bit of a drive. I thought Caen was a nice location, if only for not having to repack for at least one night of our stay. We hadn't intended to visit Honfleur or the coast, so I didn't look into the hotels there, might be a better location in the summer months although probably crowded. <BR> <BR>I thought the highpoints of the trip were visiting Honfleur, driving along the coast from Honfleur towards the D-day beaches (very slow driving though), the visit to the beaches, particularly Pointe du Hoc, and Mont St Michel. We also liked Caen, there's an old castle in the center of town and a couple of abbeys to visit and also a very good museum on WWII which is a bit outside of town. We also enjoyed visiting Giverny which you can see en route from Paris to Normandy.

We have never had dropoff charges and have used several companies. The main extra charges I've seen in Europe are airport pickup or dropoff charges. We used AutoEurope last year (sort of a broker for lots of companies) and their rate was significantly lower than Hertz.

The Hotel Lion D'Or in Bayeux is charming. Lots of history, ambiance and great food. Of course, you will want to see the tapestry. Try to get to Cancale. The chateau de Bricourt ( not sure of the spelling) is an old manor house redone into a small hotel with great views. Their restaurant is one of the best I have ever been to, anywhere in the world. Au revoir.

You will find many answers to your questions when you visit our website at www.lignerolles.homestead.com<BR>My wife and I, both Dutch, own a Chateau close to Bayeux.We made the Chateau a Bed&amp;Breakfast and I tour in a minibus (max 8pax)the Landing Beaches.<BR>A good combination in lodging and seeing the D-Day sites.

We are spending 4 days in Normandy the beginning of May. We found what looks like a great B&amp;B through Karen Brown. The name is Domaine de la Picquoterie. The website is www.picquoterie.com. Has anyone heard about it or possibly stayed there? The location seems ideal.

Anthony, <BR> <BR>My husband and I just finished a quick trip to Normandy/Paris. I was a little nervous about driving to Normandy but it wound up being very easy and enjoyable. We picked the car up and dropped it off at CDG airport and that way we didn't have to drive in Paris. <BR> <BR>The way that the various sights are spread out between the small towns of Normandy, a car helps you to be able to do what you want to do when you want to do it very easily. <BR> <BR>It took us about 2-3 hours and we didn't hit any traffic. We stayed outside the small town of Port en Bassin which was nice. I think Caen would be too commercial and busy to be pleasant but that is just me.