Does this sound like a plan?
Fly into Paris for 3 nights. Day trip to Versailles. Still trying to decide which hotel to book. Stayed in Hotel Beaugency last time in Paris. Stay Rue Cler area again or choose another area? Then train to Bayeux for 4 nights. Stay at Hotel Churchill. Battlebus tours in Normandy. Train back to Paris. Chunnel to London. Rick Steves’ London City tour. 3 extra days in London, with day trip to Bath. Depart from London. Hopefully, the carry-on restrictions will be lifted by summer. I’ve been taking many cues and notes from this super helpline board for ideas … picnic at Le Jardin du Luxembourg, perhaps an evening concert at St. Chapelle, visit to Rodin Museum, Evensong at Westminster, tea at the Orangery at Kensington, an evening of London theater…am I planning too much into this 18 day trip? Thanks to everyone for all the great information.
Posted by
Pearland, TX, USA
852 posts
Hi Sharon
We haven't rented any apartment in Paris, but have noticed how many RS readers have made use of Vacation-In-Paris apartments. This is a USA company with headquarters here and available to discuss apartments with you -- just click at the bottom of the home page for the 1-800 toll free number. If you want testimonials, we suggest you post a request on this RS web site (we are sure many would respond).
... www.vacationinparis.com... (scroll to the bottom of 'all apartments' and find even a London flat...). You could have your Paris apartment key before you leave Sour Lake. bon voyage ! P.
Posted by
Pearland, TX, USA
852 posts
Hi,(again) Sharon...
We happened onto this information by accident a while back ... it may be of interest to you as respects your Normandy area side trip...
Posted by
OP
TX
515 posts
Yes, we have thought about the Paris apartment rental. Since we will be in Paris for three nights, and they require that minimum stay, it's a possibility. I have been browsing the site and found many wonderful small apts. Will contact them. Also, I found Hertz car rental in Bayeux, and I presume there are others. I will do some further research. Is it easy to drive in this part of France? I had thought about a night at Arromanches at Hotel de la Marine. Anyone ever stayed there? Seems lovely, right on the beach, with wonderful remarks on tripadvisor.
Posted by
la frette sur seine
448 posts
Silly question, but is "tweaking" a miss-spelling or just a word i've never heard?
....4 nights in Bayeux seems just a bit too long, unless you have friends, family in the area...maybe add some of that time to Paris....And what time of year do you plan to go?
.......................and i've always wanted to mention this, but don't overdo the Battlebus tours...a bit will be enough....Just touch a couple of the beaches, see Mére St Eglise and Pointe du Hoc...I never suggest the "peace museum" in Caen...very expensive, and disappointing for people who come to remember and commerate WW2
Posted by
OP
TX
515 posts
Thanks, everyone. The Rick Steves' London tour is 7 days nearing the end of our trip. Bayeux for 4 nights simply to allow for train travel time and a little down time to roam Bayeux; it seems a lovely little town. Or perhaps a day trip to Mont St. Michel, if time and inclination allows. Battlebus tours because we have read many great reviews and because the tours will take us to many parts of Normandy, for example, Carentan, where my father was bivouacked when he first got to France in WWII. We also would like to see Rouen for a few hours, where he was stationed with the 179th Hospital at Hotel Dieu in 1944-45. Perhaps on one the travel days back from Bayeux. Still trying to figure that one out. We were in Paris for 4 nights before, so have seen many sites. Regina, tweaking is another word, not often used, for changing, altering, fine-tuning. Thanks again, for your input.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Four days seems like a lot for Bayeux, but not for Normandy, so consider renting a car for a few days.
It would put Rouen, Honfleur, and Mont St. Michel within easy reach.
You could return the car in Rouen and catch the train to Paris, though I'd be tempted to hop the channel by ferry.
Posted by
Montgomery, New York, USA
11 posts
Sharon, great itinerary. You'll love the Battle Bus tour. It leaves early in the morning from the Hotel Churchill parking lot. You will need to arrive at the hotel the night before and stay the next night.
I'd suggest traveling to another close town for a couple of nights. rent a car for a couple of days.
Suggest staying/visiting Mont Mt. Michel or Honfleur. We stayed in Arromanches and one of Rick's tour groups was staying at the same hotel. It was right on one of the landing beaches. Have a great time.
Bill
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Regina: tweaking is a favorite American idiomatic expression, means fine tuning.
Posted by
la frette sur seine
448 posts
...I was so distracted by "tweaking" that i didn't notice that your trip was planned for June..Usually a good weather time and before the main tourist rush, though people still do come especially for D Day ceremonies. I think it will be special for you to visit places where your father served. My mother was an Army nurse taking care of wounded who made it back home...
Yes, do try to stay at the Hotel de la Marine. We've never stayed there, but last fall had a glass of white wine on their terrace...view of the sea, and war remains, but lovely anyhow...........Roads in this area are a bit narrow, but i vaguely remember signs suggesting reduced speeds during summer season.
A rental car certainly gives flexibility and the chance to change your mind....or de-tweak.
I'm currently trying to tweak my trip to NH, USA to fill the freezer of my older parents with food for the winter and set up their christmas tree before returning to france to do the tree here. Feel free to give ME advice....