My family has a trip planned which includes Paris (including day trips to Giverny and Versaille) and Normandy. After Paris, each couple is separating for two nights before rejoining in Caen where we'll rent a car and visit Etratat, Honfluer, Bayuex, the D-Day sights, Mont Saint Michel and the surrounding area. I'm having a hard time figuring out where to go for those two nights that is reachable by train from Paris. From what I've read, it seems like two nights in Caen or Rouen might be too many. A
m I wrong? Any suggestions from those who are more familiar with the area will be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3303 posts
I’d suggest Chartres or Reims. Both less than an hour by train. If you want to venture a bit further, Lyon is a great place to visit.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1489 posts
Rouen is a beautiful city with its half-timbered buildings and the wonderful cathedral, plus it's full of history re the Hundred Years War. It is easily reachable by train from Paris, and if you can snag a day trip while there to the Jumiege Abbey, that is very much worth a visit. The countryside around there, along the Seine River, is lovely.I don't know about trains from Rouen to Caen, but both are important cities, so I am sure there is good transportation options between the two.
Posted by
Chicago
1239 posts
I'm a little confused by the "two days" vs "two nights" indications. However, since it seems you will have a full day plus travel on two sides of that, Tours for a day visit to some Loire Valley chateau would work:
Day 1 - Paris to Tours - train travel time can be as short as an hour. Explore Tours on arrival
Day 2 - see a Loire Valley chateau or chateaux. Examples of easy options - day tour company such as AccoDispo, travel 15 minutes by train to Amboise and DIY that city with multiple chateaux options, or travel a bit farther by train to Blois for chateau.
Day 3 - Tours to Caen - there are trains that don't require a Paris connection. 4 - 5 hours, but tolerable.
Posted by
Chicago
8680 posts
Chartres is lovely and the Cathedral illuminations are wonderful. Well worth a night or even two. If you do that eat here:
https://restaurant-moulin-ponceau.fr/fr/
Food service and view all amazing.
St. Malo is gorgeous and if you have read All the Light You Cannot See' it is even more evocative. You can train there from Paris. We stayed at an apartment near the sea wall -- if you are there for a couple of nights there are hotels in the old walled part of the city. And the place has got great restaurants. (reserve)
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all.