From Paris to mt saint Michel to Loire valley

Renting a car would be the easiest way to get around Normandy and the Loire Valley. You'll want 2-3 nights in Normandy, especially if you want to see the D DAY sights and museums, visit the museums and tapestry in Bayeux, as well as MSM. The usual advice is to either rent a car from an agency on the outskirts of Paris or train to Caen and pick up the car there ( rental agencies close to the train station - be sure to specify when reserving if you need an automatic). Instead of searching for what rental companies are located in a given place, check the AutoEurope website. They'll list the companies and rates available to you.

As for routes, check Google Maps or Via Michelin. Your rental car may or may not have GPS. It will take several hours from Normandy to reach the Loire. I'd pick the fastest route, so you can avoid wasting a lot of sightseeing time.

The Loire Valley is quite long, with literally dozens of chateaux, wineries, and lovely small towns. We stayed in Amboise for 3 nights (3 full days) and only managed 2 chateaux per day. I really wish we could have stayed longer, because there was SO much we didn't have time for.

You might find some of these helpful:

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My husband found driving in France(outside Paris) easy, but we had just come from Ireland. The big thing is that you need lots of change for the toll booths.

Andrew.reis- so you would consider Azay le Rideau, Chambord, and Chaumont (during the garden festival) mere drive bys??? I would respectfully beg to differ.

What is an expert traveller?

My husband and I took this exact trip 2 years ago in late May and it is still one of my favorites that we have ever made to France. We flew into Paris, rented a car at the airport and drove through Gerberoy ( a BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE OF FRANCE ).....beautiful to see and looked like a postcard! Spent that first night in Giverny (Monet’s home and gardens). Drove through Etratet, Rouen on our way to Honfleur-loved this beautiful coastal town where we spent a night. Drove the next day to Bayeux to be based for our Normandy visit. We were there at Hotel Churchill for 3 nights and took a day tour with Overlord Tours. We loved having a car in Normandy and the freedom to go back to the American cemetery after our tour to spend more time there....also loved the Bayeux tapestry, the Bayeux cathedral. Drove then to Mont St. Michel and spent 1 night on the island.....a bucket list goal....and so worth it. Left there and drove to Amboise to be based at Manior les Minimes (lovely old home that is restored as a hotel ) for 4 nights to see the Loire Valley and chateaus. The car made it also easy and we tried to do 2-3 chateaus, gardens a day. We LOVED Villandry......and Chenonceau....and due to the flooding of the Seine that spring Chambord was closed. Amboise was a great base. We drove back to Paris, turned in our car, and spent 5 nights on the Ile St. Louis enjoying a leisurely pace in Paris and a great location.
The scenery was beautiful.....the farmland on this drive was a delight. My husband and I love to get a car and drive so that we can enjoy pulling over whenever we want to explore. We did this on the drive through Normandy.....get the BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES OF FRANCE MAP from their website and do your best to see any of these that might be on your route. We did this and stopped at Beuvron-En-Auge for a delicious apple strudel one afternoon and a nice visit to their tourist office.
Hope this helps! If you need more info just private message me.

Hello all - we are now on our trip and wanted to thank you all for the excellent information, suggestions and encouragement. We are having a BLAST and gaining weight on all this delicious food!!!! Thank you so much! Wheeeee!!!!