We're having a difficult time making some decisions about our Northern France + Belgium trip in September/October 2012. Specifically, we're trying to determine if we should spend a night in Honfleur or Rouen. My husband is a medieval history buff and we were in Paris (1 Week) & Southern France (2weeks) in 2007. I'm looking for any advice or recommendations on our planned itinerary listed below, in particular with our Honfleur/Rouen dilemma. We'll be in Paris 5 nights (with a day trip each to Reims & Chartres); then train from Paris to Caen, rent a car, drive to Mont St Michel (overnight); then drive to Bayeux (2 nights) to see Tapestry & WWII museum & beaches. Then: Drive Bayeux to Honfleur (45-50 miles)? Overnight in Honfleur (pretty but not a lot there) with a stop next day in Rouen for Cathedral & Lunch on our way to overnight in Amiens? OR skip Honfleur & Drive Bayeux to Rouen (102 miles/3-4 hours) and overnight in Rouen? After leaving Bayeux, I thought it might be a good idea to spend 1 night in Honfleur and have a "down day" to regroup from all the museums & cathedrals of the prior 8 days - but we're thinking of skipping Honfleur to spend that night in Rouen to see cathedral, Joan of Arc, etc (must-sees). If we spend the night in Honfleur it will not give us much time if any, in Rouen to see the highlights since we would then need to continue driving to Amiens (another must-see for both of us) where we would then have little time to see the sights in Amiens before our departure the next morning for Brugges (3 nights) then Ghent (2 Nights) then Brussels (2 nights) where we have a lot planned. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Bayeux to Rouen via Honfleur is only a couple of hours and Honfleur is right at the midpoint. Rouen to Amiens is a bit over an hour. Two hours is enough for Honfleur, three if you go to the museum, four if you make it a lunch stop. Two hours will also do for a quick shot at Rouen. The cathedral and the Joan of Arc spot are a ten-minute walk apart (if you crawl). It takes no time to read the plaque (once you find it) where Joan was roasted. If you're pressed, you can make it from Bayeux to Amiens (with stops in both Honfleur and Rouen) in one day. My preferences for spending the night are Honfleur, Amiens, and Rouen (in that order). Going from Honfleur to Rouen, stay on the south side (right bank) of the Seine or you'll get into horrible traffic (don't be tempted to cross the new Normandgy Bridge toward Le Havre).
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1864 posts
We spent two hours in Honfleur - walked around, ate lunch. It's a pretty little town, the nearby bridge is very impressive. ....We also spent two hours in Rouen - it's a city and felt crowded. We walked the main street from the Jeanne d'Arc monument to the plague site at the other end, admired the cathedral and had lunch at the cafe right next to it. It's nice to see the cathedral after visiting Giverny, assuming you like Monet's paintings.......We felt we gave each site enough time. ....... Consider Les Andelys for your overnight. King Richard's Castle is there. We stayed at Chaine d'Or with a beautiful view of a mirror-perfect Seine right outside our window. It was interesting to see the Seine there after seeing the much narrower part of it in Paris........Since your husband is also a medieval history buff, he might enjoy visiting the sites of Crecy and Agincourt - they aren't too far north of the area.
Posted by
OP
Arlington, VA, USA
123 posts
Thank you Ed & Cynthina. Unfortunately, now I have even more decisions to make! Guess I'm trying to convince husband that we need a down day/night in Honfleur before going on to Rouen, Amiens and then the Belgium portion of our trip. I have overnight reservations in both Honfleur & Rouen (for the same night) and another reservation in Amiens for 1 night. We have plenty of time to make changes ... or perhaps I have time to change his mind!?!?! Thanks again. Jan.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10629 posts
Honfleur is a lovely stop for strolling. The church is unique, unlike any other you'll see in France for its size. The Eric Satie museum is interesting. Rouen has more for someone interested in medieval history.