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Itinerary advice: Normandy - Loire Valley - Paris

Posted by (South FL) on

After some feedback on my original plan I have revised the first part of my trip

Arrive CDG Sunday 9/14 7:30am – train to Vernon
1 Night Vernon –in the morning rent car and see Giverny
1 Night Honfleur
2 Nights Bayeux – tour D day beaches
1 Night Mont St Michele
3 Nights Amboise – tour Loire Valley
1 Night Chartres
4 Nights Paris
Questions: Does it make sense to stay in Honfleur or should we continue on and add the extra night to Bayeux or add Dinan? Should we stop in Rouen or Etretat on the way or is this trying to do too much?
Should I do this in reverse and start in Chartres? I still want to end in Paris (we have both been there or I would add more days)

Posted by
1328 posts

We thought lunch in Honfluer on the way from Rouen to Bayeux sufficed; though I know others like it. I'd add an extra night in Bayeux or add Dinan. Are you staying on MSM or near MSM? If near, you could spend 2 nights at that location and do a day trip to Dinan on St Malo.

Posted by
11 posts

We are staying on MSM so maybe we'll add Dinan

Posted by
78 posts

Chartres is so close to Paris, and is easily doable in a day, so not sure what is to be gained by adding a night there. Every night in a different place means packing up and moving your stuff, then checking in and getting settled once again, so I like to minimize one-nighters and focus on day trips whenever possible. Chartres is the perfect example of a day trip from Paris.

Why not go from Amboise straight to Paris, set up a home base, and then take day trips to Chartres or other places within an hour or two? Since you've already seen Paris you won't need to spend five full days sightseeing there but it is a good central location for side trips.

Posted by
7455 posts

I would not sleep in Honfleur, 2 hours is more than you need there. You'll be there mid-afternoon after Giverny, and 3 nights in Bayeux will be more restful.

I like Chartres as a place to spend the night. It has a different 'flavor' at night, and there are good restaurants there.

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