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Paris and Normandy hotel questions

Posted by (Illinois) on

Hello! We're traveling to France this fall and were going to book Hotel Diana in Paris as I'd seen many good reviews. However, it appears that it was purchased by a hotel group, and the latest reviews have not been as good.

I've narrowed down two other options - Hotel Minerve and Hotel de Suez, both in the Latin Quarter. Do any of you have recent experience with either of these locations?

We're also going up to Normandy and would like to find a hotel for around $150 or so a night tops anywhere around Caen, Bayeux, or on the coast. I've looked at several B&Bs, but one of our requirements is to have our own bathroom and WC in the room, so perhaps we should stick with a traditional hotel. Le Petit Matin in Bayeux looked wonderful, but they are over $200 a night for the time we'll be there. We'll also have a car, so free parking or close street parking would be a big bonus.

I appreciate your help!

Posted by
264 posts

I would recommend Bayeux, a charming town. If you book early, you should be able to get a B&B place that fits your needs. There is a large parking lot on the edge of town closest to the train station, so you might take that into account. Be sure to visit the cathedral and the tapestry (if it is not closed for restoration) when you are there. Peter

Posted by
1337 posts

I second the recommendation for Bayeux. It is central, charming, and has many historical sites, hotels and restaurants. IMHO, Caen is really just a post-war industrial city with very little remaining history to see. Most of it was bombed to the ground during the Battle of Normandy. There are also many B&Bs in the greater Bayeux area with a private bathroom. Parking in downtown Bayeux proper can be a slight challenge, so ask ahead. There are a few hotels with good reviews in Bayeux, but I almost always stay in one of a few B&Bs in Sainte-Mère-Église with an en suite bath.

Posted by
1407 posts

ParmerPhil's impression of Caen is vastly different from mine. I consider William the Conqueror's Castle, rue du Vaugueux and neighborhood, and several historic churches - all within walking distance of city center - much more than post-war. I wouldn't write the city off if you find lodging that fits your budget and appeals to you.

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