My husband is arriving in France a few weeks after the kids and I and we're trying to figure out the best way to meet up. We'll already be in the Calvados region of Normandy (town on Cambremer, about 30 minutes east of Caen) and staying there a few extra days after he arrives. He flies into CDG on a Friday in early August (if that matters). Would the best option be for him to then take the train from CDG to Rouen? Then we can pick him up from the train station in our rental car. Any other suggestions? Thanks so much!
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Is Cambremer close enough to Rouen to make this convenient for you? If so, it would seem like a good choice. The station (gare) you want is Rouen Rive Droite, located a few blocks north of the main tourist sights in the middle of the city. Here's a map of the station. You may want to choose a particular meeting place, like the wi-fi spot in the middle, or the marked meeting point near the northwest corner, or the cafe. The station has parking so you can leave the car there if you want to do some sightseeing on foot.
I just looked up Cambremer and it's much closer to Caen than to Rouen, so that may work better for you both. There's good train service to Caen and Rouen from Gare St-Lazare (but not necessarily the same train line).
But alas, for your husband, there's no train directly from CDG to Rouen or Caen. He'll have to make his way into Paris and get a train at the Gare St-Lazare. The easest (and most expensive) way to get to St-Lazare is by taxi from the airport (50 euros). Another good way is by the RER "B" local train from the airport to Gare du Nord, then by taxi or RER "E" to Gare St-Lazare. That will involve some walking and stairs with luggage but is much cheaper.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1212 posts
Everything that Dick says (Cambremer is much closer to Caen than Rouen). And I'll add that it may be easier to wait in a car outside of the station in Caen.
Also, my preferred way to get to Gare Saint-Lazare from CDG is the RoissyBus. It leaves right outside of arrivals, costs 12€ per person, and doesn't involve changes, stairs or escalators. It drops you off right next to the Opera Garnier, which is a 7-minute walk from the train station. I find it more peaceful and relaxing than tunneling underground from CDG.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Their are lots of direct trains to Rouen, which makes it the most convenient from Paris (I haven't tried from CDG). Depending on the time of day, you can also get direct trains from Paris St. Lazare to Caen, Bayeaux and Le Havre, and connections to Honfleur and others. I'd say it depends on where you're at at the time. Rouen is a little tricky to drive in compared to many smaller towns.