My girlfriend and I are going flying into London arriving May 23rd, and leaving from Paris on June 3rd. We planned on seeing, London,Normandy,Paris, and Strasbourg. My question is what is the best way to travel once we leave London. Should we stop in Calais or Lille and rent a car to drive to Normandy,or go to Paris first, and do trains from Paris to Normandy and Strasbourg. I was also thinking of going to St.Andelys(sp?) to see Richard the Lionhearts Castle. We plan on staying in London for 3 days, so that leaves about 8 days for France. We have a pretty solid list of things to see in everywhere except Strasbourg.I appreciate any help and suggestions for the itinerary.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
I count 10 full days on the ground for sight-seeing, excluding your arrival and departure days, 11 days if you include your arrival day. 3 days for London leaves 7 or 8 days for Paris, Strasbourg, and "Normandy" (a big area). We can give a more specific answer if you specify where in Normandy you have in mind, it makes a difference in how we answer the question about train or car.
Posted by
OP
Baltimore, MD, United States
5 posts
Since Normandy is pretty big I was considering doing a tour, either victory tours or battle bus. I know a good bit about the landings but I feel like a tour would be a better use of our time. Victory Tours starts from Bayuex I believe. We want to spend at least one full day in Normandy and spend the night. I want to see the American landing sites,German bunkers and the the Cemetery at Colleville.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Gregory, there's a lot to be said for having a car in Normandy, which would let you visit Les Andelys. But if you're really only going to spend a day touring the D-Day beaches you could do as well by train via Paris.
You've probably already thought about this, but many would find three French destinations a stretch for 8 days, plus you will have to double back to Paris.
Can you envision a trip with only two of those destinations? You'd lose that destination, of course, but you'd gain more time in the other places you've chosen (including London if you like). You won't exhaust the possibilities in the time you have.
That you have no specific list of things to see and do in Strasbourg suggests you could skip it this trip, which would simplify the logistics of your itinerary.
Good luck!