We'll be travelling from Paris Gare du Nord in Sept. to Bayeaux and staying in Bayeaux for three nights and making a trip to Mont San Michele during that time.We're thinking of renting a car in Paris for the Normandy stay then back to Paris. Good idea vs "training" it? Any suggests of stops or routes along the way? Or Place to rent an auto in Paris? Thanks. Denny
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
The easiest place is right at Nord. It has a large selection and an easy escape.
Make a turn out of the parking garage and then another one at the end of the block. From then on you're on four lane until you pull into Caen/Bayeux. Within a quarter mile you're on freeway. Once you get off the peripherique, you follow the same route number all the way to Caen. The Caen bypass is still four lanes and takes you right to the road to Bayeux which is also four lanes.
From Nord, you can be in Caen faster than you could get there by train and be about even, at worst, pulling into Bayeux.
The only reason you'd want to use the train is if you wanted to pay for it and a car on the same day.
The drive takes two and a half hours. Rouen and Honfleur are not far off the track.
If you wanted to take the train, only go as far as Caen since there's several rental places just out the station door. Bayeux has one, non-competitive rental place a healthy taxi ride from the station.
Additional thoughts:
. if you're going to Nord straight from the airport, get the car at the airport. You'll pass within a couple of miles of Nord enroute to Lower Normandy and do it faster than if you took the RER into town.
. the train to Lower Normandy doesn't leave from Nord, it leaves a from Gare Saint-Lazare.
Posted by
Florida
498 posts
In my opinion you are very brave to consider renting a car once you're in Paris. You may be a far more experienced traveler than I and have better command of the French language, but from my point of view, you should be arranging your rental before you leave on your trip. There are suggestions about how to do this, and why, in the Travel Tips section of these forums and in Rick Steves' books.
We've had good results with Gemut.com for car rentals in France.
Of course, I'm only speaking from my own experience and abilities. If you don't need the safeguards that renting from the U.S. provides, then of course my opinion, while well-intentioned, is not useful to you.
Have a good trip.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10600 posts
I use Auto Europe to rent cars in Europe. I plan to do the same thing you're doing when I arrive at Gare du Nord via Eurostar in September. I considered taking the train to Caen and renting the car there. Ed is right that there is no point in paying for train tickets plus renting a car the same day.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
Unless you have driven in France before, do not drive in Paris. It is too stressful for a first-timer, and you will probably get lost. Take the train from Paris to Caen. Across the street from the train station there are four car rental offices--Europcar, Hertz, Avis, and Sixt. Pick up your car there and drive to Bayeux.