Driving from CDG to Bayeux

Be aware that you have to deal with jetlag if your flight was intercontinental. The busy roads around Paris are not the ideal place to deal with it, can resulting in unsafe situations.

For driving around Paris usually I prefer to take the circular A86 freeway (in this case ccw) following the blue signs. Coming from CDG take A1 freeway direction Paris-centre and later follow exit direction Nanterre – La Défence with little red sign on top A86. Keep following A86 for about 16km till exit A14 Rouen – péage. Follow A14 becoming later A13, the tollroad (péage) direction Normandy.

Driving along the A1 you will see loads of signs with all kinds of directions and can be a bit intimidating / confusing. An uptodate GPS is ok, but practising with google streetview can give you a good impression what to expect. Nanterre is a suburb of Paris and not to confuse with Nantes.

The cash toll booths (marked by a green arrow) will take bills up to 20 euros as well as coins. Don't try to use the credit card lanes--your US card probably won't work. And the cash payment machines usually also have a credit card slot, so if you're lucky, the card might work after all (be sure you know your card's PIN). I've done this drive after a long flight from the States. It is doable, but the previous poster is correct. Use Google Streetview to check out some of the major interchanges BEFORE you set foot in France.

nirali,

As the first reply indicated, driving after a long flight while suffering jet lag is not the best idea, and has been compared to driving in an impaired condition. Also note that it's highly advisable to have an International Driver's Permit or a certified translation of your home driver's license. With an I.D.P. you will also have to take your home D.L.

I don't have any comments to offer on that drive or stops along the way.

To my opinion toll tags make only sense if you use it for a longer period, not for a few times. As far as I know you have to buy the tag in combination with a subscription and worth the investment if you have the plan to visit France more often.

After a few hours drive and quite close to the A13 Pont-l´Évêque has some nice spots with half timbered houses around the church. More picture perfect is Beuvron-en-Auge more west on the way to Caen. For me the half timbered houses are the real charm of Normandy and become further west more rare.

I have learned that seeing France or Germany by car, it is nice to take the low road. Use gps and tell it to avoid tolls and major highways. The gps will take you down scenic country roads. It will take longer, but you get to see much more of the country this way and if you get tired of doing this, then tell gps to allow tolls and highways and it will take you to one. Doing it this way, no tolls and gas is cheaper. However, gas stations are closed on Sunday, in rural communities. Carefour is a grocery chain that has gas stations in rural areas.

Don't bother; just get the train and relax.
It is really not worth the angst and worry and the train is just fine. You may have some taxi and metro changes but then you just sit back.