Best way to get from CDG to Caen France

Easiest would be a taxi to Gare St-Lazare in Paris, then a train to Caen. You don't need to reserve or pre-purchase for the train. The taxi will cost 50+ euros for up to four people. Less expensive would be the RER B (commuter rail) to Gare du Nord, then walk a tunnel to the RER E station at Magenta, then the E to Hausmann St-Lazare, then a short walk to the station. For two or more people with bags after an overnight flight, I'd go with the taxi from CDG to Gare St-Lazare.

Here's a very useful guide to trains in and around Paris. Despite many posts here, the French railway system still refuses to provide direct service from CDG to Normandy. ;-)

I agree completely with the first response. If however, you want another mass transit option which is my preference over the RER even though it takes a bit longer, consider the Roissybus which drops you off a short walk from Gare St Lazare. https://en.parisinfo.com/transport/73373/RoissyBus. The amount of walking is the same IMO as with the RER with the benefit that the entire trip is above ground.

Or rent your car directly from CDG, and save the time and cost of going into central Paris.

Definitely train to Caen from Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris. But if you are only 1 or 2 people without an inordinate amount of luggage, you can take the RoissyBus from the airport to the Paris train station. It leaves from right outside of CDG arrivals and drops you at the Opéra Garnier for 16.20€ per person. It is a seven minute walk from there to the train station. I find it more pleasant than any train/metro combo, you don't have to change or navigate stairs or escalators and the bus doesn't wreak of urine. Taxi is good for more people, or travelers with too much luggage.

You don't say from where you will be arriving, but if you can arrive wide awake, picking a car up at CDG isn't too bad. But depending on the time of day, you could be stuck in rush-hour traffic until you can spin free of the periphery roads. After that it is smooth sailing. However if you're traveling from the States, people on this forum will call you a criminal for driving after an overnight flight.

However if you're traveling from the States, people on this forum will call you a criminal for driving after an overnight flight.

Driving from CDG to Caen is pushing it, but if you were perhaps planning to see Giverny and if you can change your plans accordingly, you could drive to somewhere near Giverny and stay overnight. That's a reasonable distance after a long flight and the best route avoid Paris traffic altogether.

If no change of plan, then taxi to St Lazare (for 2 people I wouldn't mess with the Roissybus, you would save 23€ but the wait for the bus is up to 15-20 min and the walk to St Lazare, while less than 10 minutes, can be very very busy. Great for solo travellers though) plus train to Caen is perfect.

Thank you all for the information!

Lisa