Any suggestions for car rentals from Paris to the Normandy coast and sights along the way. We plan 3 days for this. (We have never rented a car in Europe, having always taken Rick Steves tours).
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
It'd be best if you made it either at the very beginning (pick up at the airport, return at Nord) or at the very end (pick up at Nord, return at airport). Nord to Nord would also work if it's got to be in the middle. All three options make the traffic easy. Use kayak.com or similar and pick the best deal - - nothing else matters if you're sticking with a major outfit (which could include Sixt, Europcar, and Autoeurope, plus a few more that you may not have heard of). Here's the last time we beat this subject to death: http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/88561/car-rentalgare-du-norddriving-to-normandy.html You're looking at about three hours from Paris/CDG to Caen/Bayeux. Rouen is at about the midpoint and worth a couple or three hour stop. Anything else would depend upon how much time you intend to devote to the WW II stuff. You can spend a month in either Normandy and not see it all.
Posted by
Gillette, New jersey, USA
69 posts
You could also take the train from Gare st Lazare to Caen or Bayeux and rent a car there, then return it and take the train back. Read the posts re. How to buy train tickets from the us carefully so you do not overpay.
Posted by
naples
12 posts
We rented at Nord on a Sunday and returned at Nord weekday. MISTAKE big time - traffic was horrendous. Added 2 hours to rental. Return at airport and take train into Paris.
Definitely stay in Honfleur at hotel recommended by Rick. Right on the harbor with exposed beams. Very unique.
Posted by
Clearwater, Florida, United States
3 posts
We kept it simple as possible. Rented from Avis at the airport, stayed in small village farm house out side of Bayeux, returned car to airport. Took subway to Paris for three days.