Help with Normandy and Driving

I think you'll find the driving pretty simple, so the main issue is getting to the car return at the time reserved. Toll roads can move faster than local roads with a lot of intersections, especially in built-up suburban areas. The round-about style of intersection means that everyone gets slowed down, versus a main road taking priority and a side road making a full stop.

Driving in France for us was easy. Just DO NOT GO OVER THE SPEED LIMIT EVEN A LITTLE BIT.....you will get a ticket in the mail. Not good. Easy road. Easy to understand and our Garmin with Europe maps was so accurate. No problems whatsoever.

When we did Normandy we did Fécamp to Étretat then on to Juno beach and canadian war cemetery to mont st Michel to then Honfleur ( a must.....sooooo pretty) then we went to Fougères then into the Loire. The reason we did this direction was that way your passenger is on the side of the ocean to take pictures when driving.

Loved every minute. Thought driving in France was easier than Toronto or Orlando for sure. We were in the off season so that may have helped but easy to navigate.

If you can manage driving in Atlanta and New York, you'll do fine in Normandy. Don't be nervous, just go online a learn a few new road signs and a few rules (merging onto highways, what the speed limit is when the sign simply voids the last speed limit sign, etc.). I always take the bigger roads if I am going any significant distance—like going to MSM from Normandy, or Paris to Normandy)—just as I would in the U.S. But driving through the little villages when you have time is a much richer cultural experience. Yes, French business hours aren't all 24/7. You should check where you want to pick-up and drop off the car and make sure they're either open—or there is a at least a key drop for drop-off. FWIW, I have been to Normandy a half dozen times—all with a car. And personally, I couldn't imagine traveling through Normandy without one. Normandy is beautiful, but mostly rural with limited to no public transportation to most sights. Enjoy!

We are not adventurous drivers and had no difficulty at all driving in Normandy for a week. We drove the toll roads effortlessly for longer distances, well maintained and many rest area type pull offs. Easiest to carry small bills and coins for tolls. Also drove the countryside easily as well. Be sure to confirm the rental office hours with certainty. Sometimes as I recall offices may close in midday for lunch, and Sundays can be restricted. Once a few years ago in France we arranged at pick up for an after hours return....car in garage, keys in the door slot, but that wouldn't be my first plan though it all worked out. We have liked working with Autoeurope for rentals. Have a great trip.

We spent two weeks in France last May. After a week in Paris we rented a car to travel the Loire Valley and Normandy. It was a great experience...loved it. Can not imagine doing that part of the trip without a car. The only mistake we made was dropping the rental car off at the Paris airport. BIG mistake! Took us 2 hours driving around the airport area (arguing, sometimes heatedly, which way to go) to find how to get to the rental car drop off (even using garmin & the Waze app). But we did figure it out. Travel is an adventure!

As typical American tourist on the French roads we understand your concerns. I've spend over 2 months on French roads. I'll say this from my perspective... the main highways are excellent to very good, secondary roads are very good, then one can get into new territory for American drivers on rural and lesser roads that poise a challenge with narrowness and sight lines. The road system in rural areas can be complex because it is built on centuries of pathways and small roads. So don't trust "Ms Garmin" all the time. Be patient when driving, help is always near ... with polite French you'll get along. Be aware of noon closing times for gas fill ups in rural areas. Be aware that there are about or over 10 companies managing the toll roads and not all are adapted to American chip cards, so try always go to cash or cash/card lanes on toll roads with ample coin/cash in hand on the toll roads. We have always avoided driving in Paris. I suggest the same. We've had a ball on our trips. We wish you this too!

Seconding all the good advice above, we would add -- as senior, 1st-time drivers in France last year: (i) no problems on either Motorways or backroads (Normandy and Provence); (ii) the drivers on the motorways are much more courteous than US drivers about staying out of the left ("fast") lanes unless overtaking another vehicle -- traffic moves in a much safer, fluid manner; (iii) trucks on the Motorways are either prohibited or severely limited on weekends; (iv) if your itinerary permits, consider returning the car to CDG to avoid the risk of a Sunday return in the countryside -- signage for the return is to CDG is excellent; (vi) if you do so, obtain at pick-up a clear understanding of locating your rental return location at CDG; (iv) if this makes sense, you can take a fixed-price taxi into Paris from CDG.

If you decide to take the motorways, check out other posts on managing the tolls booths (credit cards; occasional cash; etc.) It's not particularly daunting, but some advance knowledge will be helpful. Some info here: http://about-france.com/driving.htm
Bon Voyage, you'll be fine!

Ah, driving in France. First, every driver needs an International Driving Permit - you may never be asked for it, but it's required. Next, you are expected to know all the rules of the road, including speed limits - which may or may not be posted and as photobearsam said, do not speed. There are cameras and stiff fines. Locals will pass you - they know where the radar and cameras are. GPS is your best friend. It's easy on the toll roads but the other roads may have poor signage and cities can be a nightmare. Don't get me wrong, back roads and tiny villages are great.

Just as the others have mentioned, if you are used to driving Atlanta and New York, then you'll be perfectly fine driving the roads of France. Pluses and minuses are well stated. Yes, the Sunday return can be a bit difficult. If nothing is available in Caen for Sunday return (sometimes, some of the chains that operate near the central train station in Caen are open for limited hours on Sunday), then your best bet is driving to CDG airport, which does not require actual driving in Paris (it's north of the city). So, those would be the two best bets.

Also, I travel to France annually, renting vehicles with each trip. About 3 years ago, I asked about why Americans are not requested to show an International Drivers License for any reason. I was told by several officials, including the local police (when getting a ticket that wasn't via radar....which was a change....) that it's because the law requires that as long as you have a valid picture ID that is written in French (all USA passports are written in English and French), then no additional license is needed (outside of a valid driver's license from your state of residence, and it hasn't expired). So, don't waste money with that one.

Enjoy your trip!