Hello! We are planning a family trip to Europe and will have 4 nights in France (from London to San Sebastian, Spain, where my daughter will do a study abroad). We decided not to stay in Paris (that's another trip). This is what I'm thinking: Day 1- Eurostar from London to Paris to Caen (stay in Caen days 1-3). Day 2- rent a car at the airport (we can get a discount at Enterprise) go to Normandy beaches. Day 3- day trip to Mont St-Michel and St Malo. Day 4- drive to Bordeaux and drop off the car at the airport. Stay the night in Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, take the train to Hendaye and meet our friend there, arriving in San Sebastian that night. It seems insane, but it would be really cool if we could squeeze in one castle in the Loire area. How could I make this happen? I would need to drop the car off in Bordeaux and we need to be in San Sebastian on Day 5.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
748 posts
I would suggest staying in Bayeaux rather than Caen. Charming smaller town with much to see. Convenient for Normandy Beaches and Mont St Michel. Though others may suggest staying at bayeaux for 2 nights and then nearer Mont St Michel
Posted by
Washington DC
28102 posts
I know you plan to drive, but you'll get more out of your visits to D-Day sites if you take one of the van tours offered by companies like Overlord Tours. Most of the Overloard tours depart from Bayeux. If you try to do this on your own, you'll undoubtedly miss a lot of the interesting sites that a professional driver/guide will take you to. My full-day tour cost 100 euros.
Posted by
Greenville, SC
39 posts
Definitely stay in Bayeux. Loved it there. See if u can get room on the Mont. it’s so crowded on the Mont but if u r staying there u can enjoy morning and evening when the day trippers are gone
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
The fastest driving route from Caen to Bordeaux takes you through Tours. Not far east of Tours are two fine chateaux, Amboise and Chenonceaux. Either of them would probably be the easiest to visit on your way south. But Via Michelin shows 374 miles between Caen and Bordeaux, taking about 5 1/2 hours (without any stops or chateau detours), so it will be a long day.
That said, I agree with the other poster that Bayeux would be a better Normandy base than Caen, because of the cathedral and tapestry there and because it's a more attractive, and smaller, city. You could get the car in Caen and drive on to Bayeux in a short time. From Bayeux to Bordeaux would take about half an hour longer than Caen to Bordeaux.
By the way, Enterprise has a location right outside the Caen rail station. No need to go to the airport.
Posted by
OP
116 posts
Ooh, thank you so much for all of your replies! It's all very useful!
I'd love to take a tour to the Normandy beaches, but there are 4 of us, so it would be closer to $400 for us. The car should be under $300.
We are used to long drives, so 5 1/2 hours is very doable... but stopping and seeing things along the way would make it much longer :(
I'll check out Bayeaux...and thanks for the info on Enterprise at the rail station.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I think your plan is charming, but would suggest a different option, which is to head south right away and spend time in the Dordogne.
It is a splendid place and can be hard to get to, but since you will be going to the SW anyway, your trip affords to the chance to explore that area.
Yes, that means saving Normandy or the Loire for another time (you really do not have time for both), but you won't regret it.
Logistically, I'd look at flights from London to either Bordeaux or Toulouse, with a drive from there to the Dordogne valley. You might also take the fast train from Paris; the express is, I believe, only 2 hours.
There are plenty of chateau in the Dordogne, though of a different era than the Loire palaces.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would leave Normandy for your future Paris trip.
Fly with easyjet from Gatwick to Nantes, then get a car for the drive down to Biarritz- St Jean de Luz, stopping at La Rochelle and Bordeaux.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
If you do choose Normandy, definitely take a guided tour of the beaches. Caen, is bigger, with more choice of accommodations, and a well-reviewed "Peace" war museum that does tours of the beaches. Bayeux is an easy train commute if you choose a tour based there. Plus Caen has its own war history and the fortress-castle of William the Conqueror.
Alternatively: Paris-Lyon by train, then train to Avignon, and from there to Biarritz/Hendaye.