France Help Bayeux/Giverny/Versailles?

My wife and I returned from our driving trip to Northern France a few months ago. You will have a great time.

We stayed in Amboise and Bayeux for two nights each. We stayed in Paris four nights. We drove from Paris to Amboise then on to Bayeux and Mont St. Michel. We skipped Giverny and Versailles. We have seen Versailles before and after reading a bit on Giverny deciced to spend more time in Normandy instead

Driving is the way to go. It gives you an opportunity to sightsee on the way and arrange your stops easily. From what I have read, Train schedules are not conducive to the areas you want to visit.

I will be glad to give you more detail including where we lodged and our visits in more detail if you wish.

Unless you are serious castle buffs, 3 nights in Amboise might be a bit much. I loved loved loved it, but 2 nights was plenty. I would knock a day off there and go see Versailles AND Giverny (although I have no advice to give on Giverny, despite wanting to see it since I was about 14, it has yet to make the cut when I go...)

A: Yes, drive to MSM. For contrast with the relatively modern Ancient Regime chateux of the Loire, stop at the ruin in Fougeres and have a Bretaigne lunch of gallettes and cider nearby.

A: 1 - 3 nights in Bayeux. If you are not interested in WWII sites, Bayeux may or may not be the best base for you to explore the region. Another candidate for an overnight: Honfleur.

A: Staying in Giverny is possible, if you go. Personally I would try to organize things so as to end the day in Paris.

A: Where extra day is a very personal decision, up to you.

OK, now for some unsolicited suggestions.

Consider proceeding directly to Amboise upon arrival, saving Paris for the end. Why? To consolidate your time there and eliminate a travel day.

If you do this, and the Ancient Regime chateaux of the Loire leave you breathless and wanting more, then by all means make time for Versailles later in your trip. If they leave you cold, skip Versailles.

Conversely, if you can't make yourself go to Amboise right off the plane, visit Versailles when in Paris. If you just love it then go heavy on the Loire chateaux. If not so much, consider cutting your Loire time short.

Three variations on a Giverny theme: Drive there from your penultimate Norman destination, when done return the car in Vernon if possible, take train to Paris.

Or, if ambitious, get up early, drive to Rouen (charming Norman city), spend several hours walking the old town, drive to Giverny, etc. as above.

Or, drive the Rouen the night before, return car, sleep there, walk the old town, take train to Giverny.

A final note: The gardens at Giverny are lovely. And very crowded. There's not much more to see there, though the countryside is beautiful and you could take a little hike. You probably know that there are no paintings there.

Have a great trip!

If the trip were mine I would want to include a visit to the WWII region/beaches and to the American Cemetery there (this can be done in part of a day from Bayeux) and I would not include Versailles.

Spent 4 nights in Normandy in June. Nothing more hauntingly beautiful and serene than the beaches and American Cemetery.

Jerry-What time are you arriving in Paris to begin your trip? We have done the same; broken up Paris in 2 segments. Never again. If you possibly can, I would continue on to my first destination away from Paris. I see that you're traveling from California. We also travel from the west coast to Europe. Paris is so wonderful at night, but we were so tired with jet lag that it was hard to take advantage of the nights there. Now we always start our trip in a small town a few hours away from the city we fly into (if you are returning that way; otherwise you can't help but do that city first). This time we started in a small town and saved Paris for last. That way your stay in Paris is uninterrupted, you're over your jet lag and can go late into the evening. Just a suggestion. Sorry it's not about your original post.

On our 2 day Battlebus tour, we saw the most amazing scenery. The American cemetary looks out over the sea, and the row upon row of graves is amazing when you see them for the first time. We also visited the German cemetary which was also beautiful in a very different way. When you get to the cliffs that overlook the beach, you will be amazed. As the tour guide took us to a sniper emplacement, we had a view of the entire beachhead. This was out, off some side road that I doubt most people would ever find without guidance. We were the only ones there. This is one of my best photos and also a great insight into how difficult it was to come up on a beach with snipers in such a good position. We stopped at so many places that were beautiful, but sad too, when one thinks of the death and destruction that took place there. Yeah, I am kinda passionate about this. Bayeux is a very pretty little town that did not get destroyed in the war. We enjoyed just walking around all the neighborhoods and side streets, admiring the houses.
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Great price, beautiful, large rooms and fantastic breakfast.

I would chime in that my wife was only "mildly" interested in WWII, but on our trip this summer we did a Battlebus tour from Bayeux and it was one of the highlights of the trip for her. Much more than wandering around looking at ruins and museums. The personal stories they use on the tours really hit home the impact of D-Day. Definitely one I would encourage people to do while in Normandy.

Thank you all for your wonderful information!!

It is all very helpful!!

May I ask why you think Honfleur is better than Bayeux?

Goodness, Bayeux is wonderful! I wouldn't presume to say that Honfleur is "better."

But depending on your priorities and itinerary, it could be a better base for you. (And it is a very charming Norman town on the sea.)

I don't think I would have mentioned it but for your remark about being only "mildly" interested in WWII.

Bayeux a brilliant base for the D-Day sights (and has other charms & is worth a visit), but if you have other priorities you also may want to consider other options.

Like Jo, we, too, took the 2 day Battlebus American tour. With Paul as our guide, we experienced the most amazing and humbling sights...places we would never have found on our own. Highly recommend these tours. You will never forget the stories and the feelings you have as you listen and gaze at all the lanes, bridges, hedgerows, fields, little churches, beaches, white crosses and Stars of David. So if you are interested in beauty, give Normandy a try.