First France trip itinerary

That works. But if it was me, I'd push on to Rouen on my arrival day, then have all of my Paris nights at the end. This eliminates one change of hotel.

5 nights in Paris is short but better than 3 nights and 2 nights. I'd start in Rouen as well and finish in Paris. You can take a train to Rouen after arrival -- use that first crummy jet lag day to get to your first town.

From Charles de Gaulle airport take a train to the Paris Saint-Lazare station that requires a transfer at Châtelet les Halles. The train from Saint-Lazare to Rouen Rive Droite is direct. The whole journey will take 3h: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/. I too agree sleeping in Rouen on arrival day and exploring Paris at the end of your stay since that’s where you are flying home from.

These are great suggestions!! And I like the idea of spending time on the first day on the train. Thanks all.

dkremer,
Just fyi, Brittany is a large area. Two nights means about 1 1/2 days (first day is a morning drive from Bayeux). Where in Brittany are you planning to stay? If Dinan, for instance, you will have a half day, one night, full day, second night, then leave for the Loire Vally the next day. What do you want to see in Brittany? Be sure to allow for enough time to drive around there if, for instance, you want to go to Quimper or Carnac. We spent about four hours en route from Carnac to Saumur, but we traveled on the small roads.
When you leave Brittany, plan on a minimum of 3 hours, depending on where you are leaving from and where you are staying and which type of roads you take (autoroute or not?). It may take up to five hours. Be sure to factor in transfer times to get the most out of your visit. You will be going to one of my favorite parts of France! Brittany is almost like a country unto itself (in a very good way!). I hope you can get the most out of this "land's end" (Finisterre) of France. It does present a majestic face to the mighty Atlantic, and that informs the personality of the Breton populace.

Enjoy your trip and amusez-pvous bien!

dkremer,
Also, the suggestion to head straight to Rouen first is an excellent one. A brief rest on the train ride, a stay near the center of town to walk around, view the cathedral and the half-timbered buildings, a nice dinner and a good nights sleep there will start off your trip on the right foot.
Bon voyage!

I so appreciate all the advice. The one other place I want to see is Giverny but taking the train from Paris after flying in- means we have luggage. I can’t seem to find a place to store it so was thinking we would go straight to Rouen and then maybe back track to Giverny? Or is it better to see on our way back to Paris before we return the car?

Visit Giverny on your way back to Paris before you return your car.

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I have a similar question for the experts. We will arrive in Paris via the Chunnel from London in September. We have two weeks to enjoy Paris, a few day trips (Versailles as an example), and also want to spend some time exploring Normandy. We would like to rent a car for Normandy. Would you suggest taking the train immediately on arrival to a town in Normandy and renting a car just for that part of the trip? Or spending some time in Paris, then renting a car to explore Normandy before coming back? And if the latter, shoudl I rent a car in Paris or somewhere in Normandy? Definitely not interested in driving in Paris but not sure how challenging it is to get out of the city if I rent there. Thanks for any suggestions. We are thinking of three days in Normandy to explore the WWII sites, Mont St Michel and Bayeux.

Margaret. I assume you mean you will arrive into Paris from London on the Eurostar. You can certainly head straight to Normandy and pick up/drop off a rental car there. You would go from the Gare du Nord station to the St Lazare station, and then by train to Caen. There are several rental agencies close to the station. But make rental reservations in advance, and be sure to check their open hours. They are often closed for lunch, half day Saturday, and probably closed on Sunday. Caen is only a half hour drive or so to Bayeux.