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Paris to Normandy by train. Car Rental in Caen? Day Trip and Overnight at Mont St-Michel.

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In October, we arrive in Paris. On a Sunday morning. Overnight there and then train from Gare St. Lazare to Caen. Plan is to pick up rental car in Caen and then stay in Caen or Bayeux. Need some help/insight on the following:

  • I hear, through the Travel Forum, Hertz is best at Caen location. Any advice on ordering on line and best suggestions on how to reserve a car and pay? I do use Booking.com, sometimes, but not sure if this is best??

  • Plenty of lodging options, from Rick, in Bayeux. Not much about lodging in Caen??? Any lodging/restaurant suggestions in this great town??

-Plan to return rental car in Caen, same rental agency at train station...then we are back to Paris by train to GSLazare.

-We want to stay one night (first night after getting rental car) on MSM. Any suggestions on those few hotels? Parking?

-Then we head back to Normandy to do the D Day beaches, on our own(all set there ! ). ( Staying those 3 days in Caen/Bayeux-and researching the hotels for parking rental car).

Thank You.
Lee/Joe

Posted by
1038 posts

Sounds like a great trip. We did this about 10 years ago before the new causeway to MSM was completed, so my perspective may be dated.

Regarding Caen or Bayeux, we stayed in Bayeux. We chose it because it is smaller, more walkable. There was also a medieval festival underway that weekend. I think the tapestry is now in the UK or will be by the time you arrive.

We stayed at a hotel on the mainland at MSM. Spent the day and returned after dinner. There was a large car park where you could leave your vehicle and take a bus to the island. I would think that the hotel you choose will have parking, luggage and arrival information.

On MSM, try the local lamb. It is raised on the local salt marsh grass. Very flavorful.

MSM is definitely one site I would like to see again.

Posted by
7016 posts

Regarding car rental- Caen is often recommended because of tye close proximity of multiple car rental agencies near the station. Have a look at AutoEurope - essentially a 3rd party booking site just for car rentals. It will show your options for agencies and vehicle types according to the filters you select.

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