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Looking for input on our itinerary for a first trip to France

Posted by on

Hello fellow travelers,

After many delays (thanks, Covid...), my wife and I are finally going to France next April. I've struggled to come up with a good itinerary and would love to get your feedback. Please point out any connections that you don't think are realistic and call out any stops on the route worth knowing about. Here goes-
Day 1 - Arrive in Paris at Noon on a Wednesday
Day 2 through 6 - Explore the city
Day 7 - Train to Caen, then rent a car and drive to Bayeux in Normandy.
Day 8 - The D-Day beaches and museums.
Day 9 - Drive to Mont Saint-Michel for the day and then back to Bayeux.
Day 10 - 3 hour drive to Amboise in the Loire.
Day 11 - Explore the Chateaus in Amboise.
Day 12 - 3:45 minute drive to Beaune in Burgundy
Day 13 - Explore Beaune
Day 14 - Do the wine loop
Day 15 - Drive to Dijon, return car and take train back to Paris
Day 16 - Paris
Day 17 - Late afternoon flight home

Adding a postscript: In order to add time in Normandy and Burgundy, we are thinking of taking the train from Caen back to Paris, take the metro from the Saint-Lazare station to the Gare de Lyon station and then taking the train to Dijon. Probably the same amount of time as if we drove, but more relaxing on the trains then a straight six hour drive.
Thanks so much!
Pat

Posted by
936 posts

I would consider the train to Caen instead of Rouen. We loved Rouen and enjoyed a 2 night stay. But if you aren't planning to do anything except pick up a car, I'd consider Caen. But there's plenty to enjoy on the drive from Rouen to Bayeux. We enjoyed a few stops along the cider route and lunch in Honfleur. (Clearly we didn't go in a straight line!)

However, you have so little time in Bayeux. DDay beaches and museums in one day is not enough. But if that's all you have I'd definitely go to Caen rather than Rouen to get your car.

Posted by
30 posts

Going to Caen is a great idea. For some reason, I didn't think the train went there directly from Paris, but it does. I would love to add a day to Normandy. At one point, we were going to drive straight to Beaune, but it's nearly six hours and neither of us wanted to spend a day just driving.

Posted by
1168 posts

I think two days in Bayeaux and the landing beaches is a lot, so disagreement with the previous respondent (vivent les differences!), but overall I find nothing to criticize in your itinerary. You're seeing a lot, and it might feel a bit rushed at times, but that's so often the case when visiting a new place for the first time. Have a wonderful time!

Posted by
8570 posts

It may be too late here, but I would organize this so you finish in Paris. by doing it this way you lose a really nice vacation day getting back to Paris. If you put Paris at the end you gain a day and you don't waste the penultimate day on logistics. Head for your furthest destination on arrival and end the trip in Paris.

Posted by
10637 posts

Looks good this way or with Paris at the beginning. I’d keep the car and drive between the Amboise and Beaune. It will be more relaxing than hauling luggage on three trains and a metro. Or are you saying that you would drop Amboise?

Posted by
1353 posts

exley,
Just one caveat....the websites that give you drive times usually don't factor in stops for food, gas or bathroom. Be sure and pad your drive times just in case there is a traffic upset also. If all goes well, great! If not, you are prepared and won't have the stress of arriving later than you expected.

Have a wonderful trip!

Posted by
8254 posts

Don't miss the amazing Bayeux Tapestry (900 year old tapestry that tells the story of the Norman conquest of England).

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