Next summer we will arrive at Heathrow around 10am. We plan to spend two nights in England before heading to France. Normandy Beaches is the only destination we are completely certain of and will plan to spend one night in the area. Our final destination is Greece, so we won't be spending much additional time in France.
If we take the train from Heathrow, what makes the most sense destination-wise given our limited time in England? Then for getting to D-Day beaches, go through Paris, rather than a ferry? Four adults plus luggage. Mostly trying to get our initial couple of days lined up at this point. Thank you.
Posted by
878 posts
I'd take the train to Lille. Rent a car at the Lille train station and visit all the Normandy region you want to visit. You can return the car at a different location within France for a nominal fee. So you could drop the car off in Caen, Rouen, Rennes depending on where you end that portion of the trip, then take the train to Paris/CDG. (Caen is closest to Bayeux and Normandy beaches.)
We returned our rental car in Lille this past spring after a lovely visit to Normandy Super easy...right across the street from the train station. The roads are nicely maintained and the countryside is pretty to drive through.
Posted by
Somewhere out there
158 posts
Lille is almost 400km from Caen. It’s a nice drive but certainly not convenient to the area you want to visit. Personally, take Eurostar to Paris and then a train to Caen. Last round about route would be Portsmouth to Ouisterham Ferry and taxi over to Caen.
Choices……..
Posted by
Lake District, England
7758 posts
Portsmouth would be a very good place for your opening 2 nights in the UK- dead easy to reach from Heathrow.
Then the Portsmouth to Caen ferry. Then rental car from Caen to Caen (or CDG I suppose if that is where you fly from to Greece) though.
Posted by
Freedonia
16235 posts
When you get to Normandy, do you plan to tour the area on our own or take a guided tour?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Frank II - we will mostly like tour on our own rather than do a guided tour