We're flying into Zurich and out of Paris 2 weeks later. We're visiting the Bernese Oberland, and would like to visit Mont St. Michel (and vicinity, such as Fougeres, Bayeux and Arromanches) before departing from Paris. Our current plan is to take an early direct train from Bern to Paris (Gare Lyon), rent a car, and drive to Normandy (Bayeux). Is that a crazy idea?
(we've visited Paris numerous times before and don't plan to spend much time there this trip).
Posted by
Washington, DC
872 posts
What time would you arrive in Paris from Bern? I see that as a long day of travel (at least six in a train, and another three in car). So yes, slightly crazy. Can you spend your leg of the Paris stay when you arrive (like a couple of nights), go the airport and pick up the rental car, go to Normandy and MSM, and then drive back to airport the morning of departure? You can stay in a cute village the night before like St Germain en Laye, Vernon/Giverny, Versailles, or Chantilly.
Or consider a budget airline from Switzerland to Paris (although this would take just as long). This website should help: http://www.whichbudget.com/
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
We did something very like this once, so I completely understand your reasons for your plan. It was not an optimal travel day, though! Two things you might want to consider. First, if you take the train all the way to Bayeux, you will probably get there earlier in the day than if you drive, because (a) the trains are faster, especially getting out of the city, and (b) you can eat on the train. Also, you can spend the rest of that day seeing Bayeux and not get your car until the next day, avoiding a rental day's expenses. Second, if you do drive from Paris, maybe look into taking the metro or RER to someplace on the western edge of the city and renting from there.
Posted by
OP
Chevy Chase, MD, US
18 posts
Thank you Adam and Maryam for your suggestions! I took a look at flights (never considered this possiblity) and found a cheap fare from Basel to Nantes. The flight itself leaves Basel midday and arrives in Nantes 1 hour later. Basel looks like it is a hike from Murren (where we'll likely stay) but still easier than multiple train changes. What do you think? THe new idea is to pick up the rental car in Nantes and drop off in Versailles or somewhere on a convenient RER line. (Is Versailles a good one?) but we're more than open to suggestions!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Dropping in Versailles: As it happens, PHB, we once did what you suggest (it was the same trip in fact) for the same reason. It was not a disaster but did not work very well: traffic was terrible and it seemed to take forever to get into Versailles. Maybe we just hit rush hour, and maybe you wouldn't. And we did get into Paris eventually. However, we wished that we had chucked the car in Chartres and taken the train.