My husband and I are planning a trip to Disneyland Paris and the WW1 in that area. After our three days in the area we then plan on driving to the Normandy area but about five days and then flying back out of CDG. We are planning on renting a car from CDG and returning it to CDG. Has anyone driven a similar route before and what advice do you have.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5320 posts
It's at least a 3 hour drive back to CDG. Plus extra time for possible traffic disruptions around Paris, gas fill up and car drop off. And needing to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight. I wouldn't risk a long distance flight with that long a drive the same day. Consider returning to Paris the evening before your flight.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for your response. Yes we were planning on returning the car the night before and getting an airport hotel.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2650 posts
If you are going to be near Marne-la-Vallée, I would rent a car from there to drive to Normandy. Many companies, such as Europcar or Sixt do not charge to change drop off from pickup location as long as both are in France. I would not go to CDG to pickup a rental. It is too far out of the way as A13 to Normandy is on the opposite side of Paris and some CDG rentals have been restricted to arriving passengers only, not sure why.
What time is your CDG departure? If it is early, I would return the night before and stay at one of the hotels on the airport, specifically along the CDGVAL line connecting the various terminals. If it is late in the day, I would drop off at CDG, and you can avoid Paris traveling north of the city. There is a gas station at the entrance to CDG where you can make a last refueling, and dropping off your car is extremely easy with directional signs in English. Basically, the rental return is on the ground level of terminal 2, within a short walk of the check in counters. There are free trolleys to help transport your luggage.
Posted by
Somewhere out there
190 posts
Been driving from CDG to Normandie for 7 years. Very much doable despite doom and gloom from some circles on the forum. “The World War 1” in the area is pretty much limited to the Marne. If you drive a bit further east or northeast WW-1 sites are more numerous. Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry, Meuse Argonne all come to mind. As to Normandy, history, apples and rural scenery abound.
Your plan plan is altogether doable. Good Luck!
Posted by
SoCal
926 posts
Great thing about renting at CDG is that, if you're staying at the airport Sheraton (much the best place IMO), it's a simple walk upstairs from rental car return or at least it used to be.