After staying in the St. Malo, Dinard, and Dinan area for 1 week, my wife and I are working ourselves back towards Paris. We would love to stay in Rouen, but train travel to Rouen from Dinan leaves a lot to be desired. Can anyone suggest other towns/cities to visit on the way towards Rouen and Paris using train travel (direct routes from one city to another). We will have another week and a half in which to explore some areas of France. Thanks again!
Posted by
Washington DC
28096 posts
Rennes is on the normal path to Paris/Rouen from Dinan. I stayed in Rennes and made side-trips to Fougeres (a diversion to the south for you) and Vitre. Vitre is east of Rennes, basically on the way toward Paris, but it is not served by the TGV, so if you look at train schedules from Vitre to Paris, you will probably be routed back to Rennes (it's about 30 minutes on a regional train) in order to pick up the TGV. If you chose an option on the rail website other than "prefer fast connections" or the like, you may be offered an all-regional path to Paris so you can see what other towns are possible stops if you're willing to travel slowly.
Just from looking at a map, it appears that Chartres might be a possibility on the way from Dinan/Rennes to Paris.
Some of the trains between Paris and Rouen seem to stop at Vernon, which I believe is the nearest station for Monet's garden at Giverny.
I thought Rouen was very attractive (heavily rebuilt though it is) and enjoyed the museums there.
Posted by
151 posts
You could stay in Caen (Calvados), on your way from Dinan to Rouen. It is not a very easy train trip but possible : 25 min train from Dinan to Dol, stop in Dol for 1.5 hour (or take a 25-min taxi ride from Dinan to Dol), then 2.5-hour train to Caen. There is quite much to see around Caen. And on another day, 2-hour train from Caen to Rouen.
An alternative is actually to stay in Rennes / Vitré / Le Mans, and from Le Mans a train to Caen.
PS : there are a few TGV trains stopping in Vitré
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12314 posts
I went the opposite direction. There are trains that continue through Rouen to Caen and Bayeaux - so consider either of those as a place to connect to Rouen then back to Paris.
There is a second train station in Rouen that I didn't use, not sure where trains coming from there connect to? Chartres, Loire Valley, Rennes use different lines so you have to work a little to get from any of those to Rouen.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2088 posts
Vitré is nice, but the historic centre of Le Mans is really lovely and certainly worth a visit to my opinion.
Posted by
Washington DC
28096 posts
Thanks for mentioning that, Wil. I saw Le Mans on the map but have never been there. I might have a chance next year, and I'll keep your recommendation in mind.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2088 posts
Think it was 2004 that I visited Le Mans, my B&B host gave me the hint to look around and indeed she was right, it’s nice there and I liked it very much.
For having an idea you can ofcourse look around with google streetview (it hasn't changed much in the meanwhile), following the narrow streets between cathedral Saint-Julien and a bit more south the tram line (Rue de la Galère to be more precise). It’s also worth seeing the medieval walls from the riverside.