Help. We are flying to Paris and spending a few days there. Then we want to visit the DDay beaches, Honfluer and Rouen. Should we take the train to Caen, rent the car there, see the beaches, Honfluer and Rouen and then return the car at the airport 3 days later? Or does that not make sense?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10185 posts
The plan makes sense if you are visiting Honfleur and Rouen on your way back to the airport after touring the beaches. To get the most out of your time seeing the beaches, if it's WWII that interests you, you should go with a guide such as Overload Tours. That way if you encounter rain and wind, the driver will be able to get you to the sites, tell the story, and get you on to the next site. That's not the most ideal time of year. One July, we had 54-degree and rain while visiting the beaches, but it could have equally been 80. Very unpredictable weather there.
Posted by
OP
52 posts
I don't really have a choice with the time of year. We do intend to use a tour guide on the beaches. I'm just trying to figure out if there is a better way to do this. Basically, I'm renting the car so I can see Honfluer, because I am under the impression that I can't take a train there.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10185 posts
You are correct about needing a car to get to Honfleur and your plan is good. With the car, you would also be able to stop in Etretat between Honfleur on your way to Rouen.
For your other question about renting a car near the 8th, look at the available rental locations on autoeurope.com or kemwel.com (same company but prices can vary) and look for the 8th for pick up locations. We've used rue de Berri location of Europecar, and also rented at Porte Maillot. Just be aware that in the 8th, you might find yourself going around the Etoile. You need to be able to get on the peripherique (ring road), which will take you to the autoroute to Normandy.