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Normandy, Paris, Provence Itinerary Review/Suggestions

Posted by (Overland Park, KS) on

My husband and I (both mid-60s) are planning a mid-June through early July 2022 trip to Normandy, Paris, and Provence. I've researched using this forum and the RS France guidebook and would appreciate your review and suggestions on my preliminary itinerary. I've not yet made any reservations (flight, hotel, train, tours, etc.) so the itinerary can be modified as needed. This will be our first trip to France. We enjoy museums (art, history), but not all day every day. We get most enjoyment out of seeing the sights, people watching, and strolling while sampling the regional food and drink. Must sees: D-Day beaches, major Paris sights, Provence lavender fields. I've done little research so far on the transportation aspect of the trip other than to know there are trains to the areas we want to go and there are rental cars available in the areas.

Day 1 (sleep in Bayeux): Arrive Paris, travel to Caen via train, rent car in Caen, on to Bayeux (~0.5 hr), explore Bayeux

Day 2 (sleep in Bayeux): Honfleur, travel time ~1.25 hr

Day 3 (sleep in Bayeux): D-Day tour

Day 4 (sleep in Bayeux): Beaches/D-Day on own

Day 5 (sleep in Mont St-Michel): Explore Bayeux in AM, travel to MSM (~2.25 hr) in PM to arrive about 1600, explore MSM

Day 6 (sleep in Paris): Explore MSM in AM, travel to Caen to return rental car (~2 hr), travel via train to Paris, evening river cruise

Day 7 (sleep in Paris): Paris walk, Louvre (closed on Tues), Rue Cler, Eiffel Tower

Day 8 (sleep in Paris): Champs-Elysees (Arc de Triomphe to Tuileries Garden), Orsay (closed on Mon), Montmartre/Sacre Coeur

Day 9 (sleep in Paris): Versailles (closed on Mon)

Day 10 (sleep in Paris): Marais, Left Bank

Day 11 (sleep in St-Remy): Travel to Avignon via TGV, rent car in Avignon, drive to St-Remy & explore St-Remy
Day 12 (sleep in St-Remy): Avignon/Pont du Gard

Day 13 (sleep in St-Remy): Arles (market Wed/Sat), Les Baux

Day 14 (sleep in St-Remy): Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (market Sun/Thu), Luberon (Roussillon/Gordes/Abbey Notre-Dame de Senanque/Menerbes, etc)

Day 15 (sleep in St-Remy): Cotes du Rhone wine drive

Day 16 (sleep in Paris): Travel to Paris via TGV, stay near CDG for flight next day

Day 17 (sleep at home): Travel home

Please let me know what could be done better, things left out, things to consider, etc. Thank you!

Posted by
14738 posts

The thing that jumps out at me is your last day. At this time you need a Covid antigen test one day before you fly back to the US. I would cut one of your nights the first time in Paris and add 2 at the end staying in Paris the night before your flight. That way you can go to a pharmacy near your hotel for your testing.

Of course, unknown what the rules might be by July.

BTW, I am a Rue Cler fan and stay in the neighborhood BUT it is not worth going over there just to see the 2 blocks of shops.

Posted by
333 posts

Linda, I think your itinerary is excellent. I'm attached to the Marais but you seem to have a good handle on things!
The only other info I'd offer is that we stayed in a local chateau in the Bayuex area: Chateau d'Asnieres en Bessin. It's totally your choice but a possibility. We had a comfortable stay and heard fantastic stories of the history of the estate (and the Nazi invasion) while having breakfast.

Posted by
7303 posts

It is a good plan!
You are hitting prime lavender season in Provence: instead of the Cotes du Rhone vineyard drive (they are pretty, but there are prettier vineyards in France), I would do a lavender drive!
The area around Ferrassières and Sault is a sea of purple by early July most years, and you can combine it with the drive up Mont Ventoux, or a visit to picturesque Montbrun les Bains.

If lavender is a bit "late" this year, then Valensole plateau will be better. It is a bit further, but still within reasonable distance from Saint-Rémy.

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