Lodging in the Normandy area

http://www.hotel-de-sainte-croix.com/english/html/acces.html

We really liked this B&B in Bayeux. Absolutely beautiful, charming hostess, lovely antique furniture, even the outside is wonderful looking. Oh, and the breakfast was soooo yummy. Great price (75 € for a double last year) and we had a king size bed and a gigantic bathroom.

We stayed in Bayeux this July at the Hotel d' Argouges and loved it! Great old mansion and the owners were very friendly and helpful.

http://www.hotel-dargouges.com/

Thanks both Jo and Jed for responding. I will check out both of them soon. Marlys

We stayed at a lovely old French farmhouse outside of Bayeux in Crepon -- Ferme de la Ranconniere
www.ranconniere.com
It was beautiful and the food was wonderful. Short drive into Bayeux or to the beach at Arromanches.

We had the same good experience Janis did at the Ranconniere. Note that it's over on the Arromanches side of the D-Day beaches. You then head west to get to Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Pont du Hoc, etc, or do those earlier in the day before you get to Ranconniere.

We stayed at La Cour Sainte Catherine in Honfleur and loved it.

The Churchill Hotel was right in the middle of Bayeux, nice rooms and friendly staff

We also stayed at the Churchill in Bayeux. It's centrally located and only steps away from the D-Day tour pick-up spot...Battlebus, Overlord, etc. We loved it. The people are warm and friendly and the accommodations first rate. I browsed the many nice comments in the guest book, and it appears that many veterans have stayed there over the years.

Wow, thanks for all of the great suggestions, I will certainly start researching and booking. We will be in Brussels and Bruges first....any ideas for those cities, and is it worth out time and trouble to travel to Antwerp? Rick doesn't cover that city in is DVD or book. Thanks again, Marlys, from Wisconsin

In Bruges we stayed at the "Dieltiens-Debruyne Bed and Breakfast" and really enjoyed it. The hosts were very nice and had a great breakfast! Floors were a little creaky, but that's the charm of the house I guess!

Don't know how long you plan to be in Bruges -- we stayed in an exceptional apartment about a block away from the main square. Look on vrbo.com for Bruges. It is very contemporary and has a small rooftop table & chairs. Price was 98 euros/night the last time I looked.
I can highly recommend it.

I think Antwerp is charming. Liked the harbour and the maritime museum, the diamond quarter, the architecture and the food. I know it has lots of other things to recommend it, but it is easier for you to do a google search on that, I think.

We stayed at the Hotel le Bayeux--clean, simple, and close to the tapestry and the cathedral. The manager/owner was very helpful.

Antwerp is worth a quick visit overnight visit if you have the time. The magnificent late Gothic cathedral here is one of Europe's overlooked gems. I also think it's Grote Markt is one of the most impressive in all of the Low Countries. Don't expect Bruge's museum-perfect charm, though. Unlike Bruge, Antwerp grew into a bustling modern industrial port city... which in my opinion, makes it overall more interesting.

Marlys,

I'd suggest basing yourself in Bayeux. It's a wonderful town and is fairly central to the locations you mentioned. It's a very walkable small city and there is car hire available if required. It's also one of the best locations for joining tours of the D-Day beaches (if you were considering that?). BattleBus tours depart from the Bayeux area, so staying close is essential.

Check the France Guidebook for lodging suggestions, but one suggestion (depending on your budget) would the Churchill Hotel.

Happy travels!

Thanks all for the suggestions. We will be staying in Bayeux or in the immediate area. We will have a car hopefully! Traveling by train from Brussels to somewhere in France (Rouen perhaps?) I haven't checked with Rick Steves's organization yet about train schedules or the best town to depart the train and rent a car. Don't want to venture into Paris and be driving at the same time! Has anyone stayed in Brussels? We will make that our home base and take day trips. Sounds like Antwerp is worth visiting, along with Bruges. Thanks again. Marlys

I have read many posts of those who like Brussels, but we didn't. True, we were there only briefly, spent a bit of time sipping framboise on the Grand Place, but found the city somewhat dirty and unappealing. Nice small airport to fly home from, though. We took a day trip to Rouen and walked all over the place and enjoyed that very much.