I have been on here asking a few questions before regarding our tentative intinery, but I think now we have figured out a route, however need some input. I should mention right away, that , my husband has had a stroke and while travel is fine, driving/signage/Map reading is not so easy for him, so driving is out. Having said this, here is what is happening. Paris for 3 days and then down to Provence where we have a house for a week. (Other family member will drive) When done this, we return with our family to Paris, they fly home, we stay for another week. We think we will do this then - train to Bayeux and base ourselves out of there for 3 days to visit the war sights, Mont st, Michael, Honfleur (and ?) ..now it gets dicey, we would like to go to Tours, to stay and visit the chateaux(s) etc. is it necessary to have a car in the Loire/Tours area or can we see enough with local transportation? We would then train back to Paris for our return flight home. Any thoughts or suggestions on this? Should we forget Tours/area and stick with Normandy and maybe some of Brittany for that last week. Whatever is easiest travel by train would be the greatest influence on our decision. Thanks for help, hope this makes sense.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
There are several chateaux accessible by train:
Château de Chenonceau
Château Royal de Blois
Château Royal d'Amboise
Château de Chambord - train then shuttle
Forteresse Royale de Chinon
There are more. Pin the ones you want to visit on google maps and see where the most central location for you to stay would be.
Posted by
OP
Saskatchewan
297 posts
Post script to my posting, will we be able to train easily from Bayeux to the Loire (Tours)? We are looking at kinda if a circle -Paris, Bayeux, Tours , Paris.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16894 posts
A few times per day, you can get from Bayeux to St. Pierre-des-Corps or Tours with just one train connection in Caen. Avoid train connections in Paris, since they require changing stations, too, by taxi or metro. How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.
Posted by
OP
Saskatchewan
297 posts
Thanks, I hope someone can weigh in with a little more detail on my itinerary , I'm still waffling here but will do more research.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I think having a car is best suited for all you describe.
Day 1 Train to Rouen - 1 night
Day 2 Pick up hire car. Visit Honfleur. Drive to Bayeux - 2 nights
Day 3 D Day sights
Day 4 Drive to Mont St Michel - 1 night
Day 5 Drive to Loire Valley - 2 nights
Day 6 Visit chateaux
Day 7 Return car in Tours. Train to Paris
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
http://www.loire-valley-tours.com
This might be your best bet without a car.
Maybe this for D-day beaches.
bayeuxshuttle