Driving across France

Regarding the Normandy part of your proposed itinerary, only: You've hit on a good way to do the Normandy D-Day beaches and cemeteries: driving a rental car to the Caen/Bayeux area, and then either hooking up with one of the tours such as BattleBus or doing your own self-tour in your rental car.

What thoughts, exactly? The Tour sites are on one side of France and Normandy another. Both are best visited by rental car and the Autoroutes are easy to drive between.

Sharon - sorry. I just didn't know what you meant by "what are your thoughts?" Were you looking for advice about rental car companies? Routes? The amount of time it might take? The wisdom of driving in France vs. taking the train? Sorry if I offended. You didn't specify how much time you have, etc. A lot of people ask these questions thinking that everything in France is an hour apart. It's not easy to discern what a poster's question means here. I had no way of knowing you've driven back and forth between Kansas and Mulkiteo and that was the context of your question.

If you're asking about routes between the French Alps and Normandy, I'd suggest driving north to Burgundy and enjoy the wine villages there. Then I'd do a route across the Loire Valley to Le Mans and go north to Normandy from there. There are important invasion battle sites on the way to Normandy.

The distance you are suggesting is a lot. The drive in both these areas can be quite stunning. Why not think about driving locally but taking the train for the distance between the two and pick up cars in the local area to venture out. For example train to Lyon and take up a car there. Rail Europe offers several Rail - Drive packages than might be an option to consider.

One of the things that I realize when driving in a foreign country is that typically as a driver you see very little. Not to mention the stress of finding ones way and reading everything in a foreign language. It can make a vacation a bit trying for long periods.

Alpe d'Huez has its own website to help you with planning regarding mountain closers. Given the ski season is still on (the mountain closes on the 27th) and the mountain is still receiving regular snow - you may need to consider that you will be driving in potential winter conditions in October.

http://www.alpedhuez.com/

It really depends on how much time you have in France. Having a rental car in Normandy/D-Day beaches is a must. Make sure you stop and visit the Caen museum. I agree with the suggestion to take a train for the long distances and then rent a car.

Hi Sharon, I recommend crossing France by car. While the autoroutes are good for covering great distances in a short time, the secondary roads are excellent, and you will see more of the countryside and towns. You wouldn't advise a visitor to stay on Interstate 5 from Vancouver to Blaine as the best way to see Washington State. Riding a train across France is similar; you only see the countryside zipping by at great speed. Rent a car, slow down, and see more. No matter which route you take, there is a lot to see between Alp d'Huez and Normandy. Charlie, Lodi, California

Sharon... We love to drive in France. The roads are lovely and kept up very, very well. There are often picnic tables on the back roads for picnics.The tollroads are good for getting somewhere quickly, but we prefer the back roads. Remember,if often takes twice as long to get somewhere than people tell you. We drove last year from Burgundy to the Dordogne and people told us it would take 4 hours and it took us 10 hours.We rented a Prius from Hertz and although it was not inexpensive, it really saved on gas.

For a trip like this I would get all the relevant Michelin guides, green and red, and maps. Plan an itinerary with many scenic stops and not too much driving per day. Have a great time!

While I respect the wisdom & experience behind recommendations to travel by train from the Alps to Normandy, I especially appreciate those who say 'go for it'. As luck has it, we actually love to travel together by car. This trip is our first to Europe together, and our last - he has Parkinson's. We're working through the 'retirement dreams' list NOW - while he can do it. (ex - in June we're travelling the Inside Passage, Washington to Skagway and back, by ferry! Walk on, island hop, avoid cruise crowds where possible. Test the bags we'll use in Europe.) We'd originally planned the train, until he admitted that it would be wonderful to drive a Tour route - like the Galibier and Alpe d'huez? Winter driving is no worry, we're experienced with that! Battlebus for Normandy a MUST - I loved them 4 yrs ago (can I find the same guide?) How long do we have for this - pretty much unlimited (except by $$) Will we have FUN???? I hope so, thanks to your collective encouragement.

I have had great luck with rental cars in France. Once we took the train from Paris to Rouen and a short taxi ride to Eurocar rental in the heart of the city. It is wonderful driving through France. When I have had mechanical problems, I had no problems with having them addressed in a timely manner.

Doug - regarding your response... If someone from Europe were to ask "Any thoughts/suggestions about driving across the USA" I'd actually give them an answer ("keep in mind that you're looking at over 3,000 miles. Don't bother driving between the Mississipi River and the Rockies. 101 or 1 on the west coast are wonderful drives. Fly to Las Vegas. Do try to drive the North California coast if possible and especially through the Redwoods from Eureka south to wine country.)

Keeping in mind that I've 'commuted' from Kansas to Seattle for years (2 1/2 days each wa) distances are not an issue. I know that if I have the time to choose, I'd rather travel across on I70 than I80 - that part of Wyoming wore out its welcome for me years ago. 70 isn't as quick, but sure as heck a lot more interesting to look at. That is the sort of information that would help someone who hasn't made that drive...

Doug - my apologies to you - you are correct. I should have been more specific.
Car rental companies/make/models/hints for getting a good deal.
Routes - which you've suggested, and others' recommendations to use the smaller roads, which we'd do in any case.
Things/towns to make a point of seeing or avoiding.

The more we play with intineraries, the more excited we've been getting about this trip. Our daughter has already dubbed it "Le Grande Tour" and has expressed much joy that we've decided to do this trip. I'm already thinking of dropping the quick trip to Switzerland for the Chocolate Train in favor of diverting to Bruges before heading to England. We chocoholics must stick together! I can see collecting a car in Turin, travel the Alps, cross-country by cattle trail to Normandy, up to Bruges where we'd revert to train. Paris, then the UK....
Still friends? ;-)