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Four days outside of Paris

Hi all,
After reading some of the advice on this site I have narrowed down the additional days outside of Paris. Does this seem reasonable?

Pick up rental car in Paris then head to Giverny and Honfluer, is it possible to continue on and stay in Bayuex that night?
Day two: DD beaches and Mont St. Michel in the afternoon, travel to Amboise in the afternoon
Day three: Chatauex viewing
Day four: bike ride or sightsee around Ambroise and then vineyard in afternoon
train back to paris in am.

Let me know if anyone has any suggestions on changes they would make and if you have any recommendations on accommodations in either area.

Much appreciated.

Posted by
2085 posts

To my opinion day one is busy, but doable. Day two is too much, I would take the time needed to visit the D-day beaches and then heading to MSM. If possible visit in the evening or early next morning before going to Amboise for visiting a few châteaux the time left before going back to Paris. On the spot see how much time left for a bike ride.

Thought about combining Bayeux with the Tapestry?

Posted by
16895 posts

Most people spend a whole day between DD beaches (several sites) and Bayeux. You can see MSM pretty quickly, but it would better to sleep there than to try and push on. Or, you could cut MSM to focus on the other areas and reduce driving.

Posted by
6713 posts

I agree with Wil, day one looks possible but rushed, day two is way too much.

I'd suggest sticking to Normandy and MSM, save the Loire for another trip when you can spend more time there chateaux viewing, bike riding, and vineyarding.

The Bayeux Tapestry was a highlight of our last trip, well worth a couple of hours with the exhibits or even a half day. The Normandy invasion in reverse 900 years before.

Posted by
10193 posts

I don't think it's possible to see DDay Beaches, Mont St Michel, and drive to Amboise all in the same day. Getting to and then seeing either DDay Beaches OR Mont St Michel will basically take a day, and that's not counting a drive onward to Amboise. Unfortunately your Normandy sights are too far from the Loire Valley sites. You need to pick one locale or another with only four days.

Posted by
2083 posts

Rome2Rio might be a good place to start. You can get some idea of drive times and costs between your locations. Not sure exactly how accurate it is, but it can generate some numbers for you quickly and easily. We're checking it to ballpark train vs car as we plan a two week trip to France for 3. Good luck.

Posted by
3696 posts

I think it is way too busy. If you do all these things it will simply be a drive by. I think the beaches require plenty of time simply to absorb and think about all that happened there. Also MSM will probably be crowded in the afternoon so if you par, take the shuttle over, return and drive on it will leave little time to even walk around. I would make sure to stay a night on MSM and also a night in Bayeux to see the tapestry and visit the charming town. That is close to the beaches for an easy drive.