On May 20 our group of 12 people will take the train from Paris to Rouen, where we will pick up our cars. The train arrives in Rouen around 12:00 and we are to pick up our cars at 4:00. During that time we plan to have lunch and see a bit of the city.

The problem, of course, is what to do with our luggage. As far as I can determine there is no place at the Rouen train station to store them. The best I can come up with is to see if an inexpensive hotel near the station would keep them for us if we pay the price of 1 night's stay. There is a "Hotel de la Gare" (what else?!) that advertises rooms for 40€. Split among 12 people that's only 3-4€ per person. I doubt we'd pay less than that for storage lockers if there were any.

Questions: Do you think this is safe? Is there any reason a hotel would not agree to do this? Do you have any other solution to suggest?

In case you're wondering why we don't just pick up the cars as soon as we arrive in Rouen and leave our bags in them, that would mean we'd have to turn the cars in on our last day by noon or pay an extra day's rental on 3 cars. That does not fit with our schedule.

Thanks!

Must remember to proofread title! I do know how to spell "luggage."

There is no place at the Rouen train station to leave luggage. I would suggest emailing a couple of hotels ahead of time and asking for storage and for their rates. Don't wait until you get there as they may not have adequate storage facilities or may not have a room available.

The other option is to ask the car rental agent if they have room for luggage for 12 people. My guess is that they do not have a back room large enough.

I think the hotel option is the way to go.

You could rent just one of the cars and load it up with the luggage and leave it in the rental car parking lot until you are done in Rouen.

Thanks, Adrienne, Linda & Morgan. I think I'll email that hotel and see what they say.

I've done the hotel thing a couple of times. With just two of us the bellman was happy to watch our bags for a few hours and 10EU. I'll bet the room idea will work out well!