We are taking a trip to Normandy in July (hoping it is as cool as it usually is there in the summer) and are planning on staying part of the time in Caen. My question is, what other location should we choose? There are so many appealing options, but we really prefer staying put for 5+ days rather than changing hotels every couple of nights. We will have a car and don't mind some driving for a day trip, or using public transportation. Given that we are planning on staying in Caen itself, we were thinking perhaps for the other site, we would choose a hotel or bed and breakfast in the countryside. We have thought about near to Rouen along the Seine, or maybe on the Côte Albâtre ou Fleurie. We like hiking, as well as visiting cultural and historic sites, and touring local producers (i.e. calvados distilleries or fromageries, etc.
thanks in advance!
Totally subjective and only based on our experience staying in Bayeux, but I would stay there (choosing it over Caen). For the additional location, I’m sure there are many other good options; I think it just depends on what you want to see/do. If you’re interested in Mont-St.-Michel, for example, maybe you could arrange to stay on the mount for a couple nights? Or venture into Brittany (we loved Dinan and St. Malo). I haven’t been to the others you me mentioned, so maybe others can weigh in on those and other options.