i will be landing in Paris on 5/15 and heading to the Loire Valley by train. Do you think that i will need a reservation? I assume that there is a rail link between the airport and the train station.
If I have one day to spend in Normandy where would you recommend staying?
Since I am planning on renting a car, is it easier to drive from Normandie to Rouen to drop off the car and take the train from Rouen back to Paris?
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6486 posts
We took a train to Chartres from the Montparnesse train station once. From there we picked up a car and spent a couple days in Loire (we'd been there before) and then drove to Brittany and Normandy. We eventually returned the car in Vernon, the train station near Giverney. I would say, yes, it'd be better to drive from Normandy to Rouen and then take a train to Paris.
There is also a high speed train from Paris to Tours. We once returned a car in Tours, there are several rental car companies there and took the train back to Paris. I had prepurchased those tickets to save money, but I'd never prepurchase train tickets for use upon arrival to a city via plane. I believe TGV trains for Tours come/go from Montparnesse as well.
One day in Normandy isn't very much. I'd say it depends on what you want to see. We spent most of a day at the museum in Caen, if that's what you'd like to do, stay in Caen. I think a lot of tours leave from Bayeux, so there's an option. We stayed in Arromanches because we wanted a small town and wanted to see the artificial harbor. From there we drove to Utah and Omaha beaches and a few other museums.
Posted by
197 posts
Yes, there is a rail link from CDG and the train station you want (Montparnasse). It is the RER. But if you have luggage, this can be a bit of a struggle, with the stairs. You might want to spend the extra money and take a taxi. I am told it is about 55 euros into Paris, for up to 4 people.
I am also told that you will get a much better price on your train ticket if you reserve well in advance. But the downside is that if your plane is late, or there is unusual traffic getting to the Montparnasse train station, you might miss your train. So it might be safer just to buy your ticket after arriving at the station. And be sure to "composter" (stamp) your train ticket before getting on the train. There are yellow machines near where the trains leave to do this - either watch others, or ask someone where the "composter" machine is.
I agree that one day in Normandy is quite short. We stayed in Bayeux and found it to be a lovely town, and we were able to take a WWII tour from there. As far as dropping your car off in Rouen and taking a train from there to Paris: why not drop your car off in Caen and taking the train to Paris? This will be quicker. Peter
Posted by
Washington DC
28096 posts
If your major interest in Normandy is the D-Day sites, I highly recommend that you take one of the van-tours, most of which originate in Bayeux. It works best if you spend the night before the tour in that town. Just driving yourself around will not be nearly as efficient or informative as taking one of the tours. They typically cost about 100 euros per person, and the tour groups are small.
I liked my Overlord Tour, but there are other options.