Normandy vs. Eze

Our trip last year we came thru Italy to the South of France (Nice/Villefranche/Monaco), then up to Paris and Mont St Michel/Caen area...I loved both and would be hard pressed to choose a fav... but, for quaint, historical and authentic, I'd have to say Normandy...the south was lovely and warm and glitzy, but there was something about the little villages and stone houses of the North that I also loved...I found them both very different but magical in their own way...(mind you, Provence area - Avignon, Arles, et al...was very historical and quaint as well)

I absolutely agree with Nicole! Normandy is wonderful! My family just got back from a 3 week trip to Provence and we did an overnight in Villefranche sur Mer (near Eze). We loved our trip to Provence; but both my husband and I agree that we absolutely preferred Normandy over Provence. To us, Normandy is perfect. We found the landscape so beautiful and charming: rolling green hills dotted with white cows; beautiful Norman stone churches; English cottage homes, some with thatched roofs and of course the water of the English Channel. It is an idyllic place. If you are interested in the Landing beaches and memorials, they are fascinating. The American Cemetery is beautiful too. We can not wait to return to Normandy. I loved Mont St. Michel as well; we did an overnight there. We stayed in a Rick Steves recommendation, Le Mas Normande - it was wonderful and in a great location, near Arromanches - Port Winston.

Apples : Normandy Oranges : Eze, Nice You choose!

Something not mentioned are the people in Normandy... I love all of France but the people in Normandy stand out as being the most friendly, warm, nice and welcoming.

We've done both but Normandie is where we love to go. We stayed east of Bayeux in a 400 year old working farm modernized as a comfy B&B, just outside Villers-Bocage. Breakfasts were to die for and we were 90 minutes from Mont St. Michel, 20 minutes from the D Day beaches, only 10 miles from Bayeux with all that it had to offer. We loved to drift along the back roads, stopping to buy local home made cheeses, breads, wine, sandwiches, Calvados, or locally made trinkets, wood carvings, and jewelry. The Normans still remember that it was the allied forcespredominately the Brits, Canadians, and the Americans that fought for and won their freedom from the Nazi yoke. They still appreciate Americans and the old timers can tell stories of the battles that took place in and around their homes. A terrific tank battle took place in Villers-Bocage with huge British losses from the SS Panzer Brigades that stopped the Brits cold. You can probably Google more about it if interested. We plan to return next spring and just keep on drifting the back roads through small towns and farms. Priceless....

George, we love doing the same.. drive the two-lane roads and just explore.. it's heaven. We absolutely love Normandy.

Another very pretty village in Normandy is Le Bec-Hellouin, officially one of the "plus beaux villages." There is an abbey, which can be toured, I'm remembering with a guide. The abbey had a connection to William the Conqueror. It's been many years, but I'm remembering a nice lunch at Auberge de l'Abbaye, on the road to the abbey.

Thanks for the replies! I guess the problem is that I want to do everything but I don't have the time to do justice to both so... difficult choices. It sounds really great to spend some time at a chateau in the Normandy countryside. But the south has its appeals as well. Hmm...

Brandon, Especially as this is your first trip to Europe, my suggestion would be Normandy, especially given the criteria you mentioned ("quaint, historical, and authentic"). The south of France tends to be somewhat "posh and glitzy" and while Eze may not fit that description, Nice and Monaco do (IMO). Another benefit of choosing Normandy is that transportation will be easier, which means you'll have more time for touring. If you're planning to visit D-Day sites, I'd highly recommend taking one of the excellent local tours, as it will provide a much more interesting and rewarding look at the history. Bayeux makes a good home base for visiting that area. Be sure to try some Calvados while you're there. Happy travels!

Ezekiel is a small lovely town but I was only there for a few hours on a tour from a cruise ship. I spent 5 nights in Bayeaux and would love to return again to see more of the Canadian and British beaches. They are so different. Mont St Michelle is very touristy and crowded. We spent the night, I would highly recommend this because it is lovely after all the buses leave. My vote is Normandy. I also loved our Battle Bus Tours with Dale Booth. I hear he has his own company now.

Been to both a number of times and although I love Provence (closer to St Remy however, not Nice) I have also become really attached to Normandy and the surrounding area. It has a whole different feeling as others have described, but from your description it would be the north. If you do decide to go south then I would change the locations if you want quaint, etc. While Eze is charming, it is still very touristy and all the other locations are busy and crammed with people. Love Bayeux and staying the night on MSM was a highlight.

Eze is pretty, but very compact and a little too much like a perfect "stage set" for me.