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France itinerary help Normandy-Loire

Hello all-
I am planning our first trip to France in early October (myself, husband and our 2 adult children). We are staying in Paris 6 nights to start, with day trips to Versailles and Giverny. We will then have 6 nights to spend somewhere else before departing from CDG. My original plan was to take a train to Normandy, pick up a car (sleeping in Bayeux) for 2 nights, drive to Mont St Michel for one night, and then drive to Amboise (or another Loire base) for the final 3 nights. That would have us driving back to Paris-CDG on departure day to return the car, (which looks to be a roughly 3 hour drive). If we leave by 7 am, we should be at the airport with hours to spare. Obviously, there are risks to this, but with a 2:40 pm flight, it seemed reasonable to someone who has never been to France so maybe I am crazy to try it. Our departure day is a Saturday. I'd rather not waste our last full day traveling back to Paris but would consider an option closer to the airport if it made sense.

If anyone has done something similar, (or has a better idea), I'd appreciate feedback. We can move the MtSM night to Bayeux, or to Amboise, and just day trip to the Mont but I'd love to stay there as it looks pretty amazing. I usually dislike one night stays, but it seems worth it to stay there(?) The only thing booked so far is Paris, so we are still flexible with those 6 nights.

Thanks!

Posted by
7347 posts

Your plan looks good except for the drive from Amboise on departure day. The drive is only 3 hours in ideal conditions, with no allowance for traffic slowdown or accidents, or stopping for a gas fill up, and then drop off. And you will want to be in the airport a full 3 hours before departure. Is it possible? Of course. But what is your plan B if the unexpected happens?

If you dont want to spend your full last day in Paris, then dont. But consider leaving Amboise later in the afternoon and just spend the evening in Senlis or Chantilly, which are close to CDG

Posted by
9401 posts

Can you flip your itinerary and put all Paris nights at the end?

I would never want to be that far away from departure airport.