Help planning a trip to France

Posted by Mike (Washington, DC, USA) on 08/05/09 07:16 AM

Hello,

We (my wife, our 7 year old son and I) are goiI am planning a 10 days trip to France in the end of August - beginning of September. The plan is to fly to CDG and transfer to Paris, where we will stay for 3 days. Then take a train to Tours pick up a car and drive to Amboise where we plan to stay for 2 days. After Amboise, a long drive to St. Malo/Dinan for couple days on the beach. Then drive to Mont St. Michel and stay there overnight. Drive to Honfleur, and Etretat, etc. for 1-2 days, and then to Rouen where we plan to return a car and stay for 1 night. Take a train back to Paris for one last day, and the very next day fly back to the US.
Would appreciate your advice, comments, suggestions on the plan itself as well as places to stay and things to do with kids.
Thanks in advance.

Posted by Adam

Boston

08/05/09 08:03 AM

4132 posts

Mike, it's been too long (alas) since I last visited these wonderful places for my recommendations about lodging to be any good. But I want to express my admiration for this plan, which shows much thought. You've picked a great time to travel, too.

You have probably thought about this, but it is sort of unfortunate that you have to double back to Paris at the end of your trip. I guess I mean, four days in Paris is great, but a shame to break them into two parts.

As an alternative, could you drive from Rouen directly to the airport on your last day? Or, could you start in Amboise and end in Paris? Either plan would eliminate the drag, admittedly small, of one change of venue.

Asumming you are just not into the D-Day sights or the Bayeux Tapestry, that's about the only constructive suggestion I can make. No, one more:

Enroute from Amboise, the ruined chateau in Fougeres makes a pleasant lunch break (and a real contrast to the Ancient Regime palaces of the Loire). I'll bet your son would enjoy it, and there is great Breton food available for lunch.

Have a great time!

Posted by Jon

Portland, Oregon, USA

08/05/09 08:10 AM

320 posts

Mike:

Looks like a good plan - not too much travel time between locations.

In the Loire there is a place that my son still talks about (he was 8 at the time). I cannot remember the name but it is a park where they have all of the Loire Chateaux in miniature - it is nicely done. I believe that we found it through Rick's book.

I agree too about Fougere - a real medieval castle. Have fun.

Posted by Mike OP

Washington, DC, USA

08/05/09 08:32 AM

2 posts

Adam, Jon -

Thank you for the advice. Fougeres is on my list to think about. Now I will give it a much closer look.

Going back to Paris prior to flying back home is a necessary evil, since I did not find any convenient trains from either Amboise or Rouen to CDG. And having a car for another 2 days and dropping it at the airport adds to the cost also. But still - will give it another think.

Posted by Adam

Boston

08/05/09 11:08 AM

4132 posts

Mike, there seem to be several direct trains between the TGV station near Amboise (St. Pierre-des-corps) and Charles deGaulle. By "direct" I mean, the train goes right to the airport in about 1-3/4 of an hour.

You could use this coming or going.