My friends and I (3 people) are vacationing in Paris in September. While we are there, we want to see the tapestry at Bayeux and Mont St Michel, but would only have one night in Normandy before returning to Paris. We are renting a car to travel to these sites. Has anyone visited these two sites in two days? If so, what is the best route to travel, and best place to stay for the night? Suggestions for other sites/places-to-eat along the route would be nice to know too.
Posted by
Alpine, CA, USA
47 posts
Joseph...my husband and I just spent 10 days in Paris this past May (with a 1 night overnighter in Bayeaux to see the D-Day sights and MSM). It is doable, although we did not see the tapestry, and we didn't feel rushed. We rented a car at Gare du Nord at 8am and drove straight to Bayeux (approx 3 hrs). Checked into our hotel, ate lunch and headed out to visit Omaha Beach, the American Cemetary and Pont du Hoc. Returned to Bayeux in evening, ate dinner in town and strolled around a bit. Next day had breakfast, visited the cathedral in Bayeaux, checked out of the hotel and drove to MSM (approx 1 1/2 hrs) which is a beautiful drive through the countryside...saw many chateaus along the way. Spent several hours visiting/touring MSM inside and outside (MSM was a definate HIGHLIGHT of our trip!) and then drove back to Paris (approx 4 hrs) arriving at Gare du Nord around 8:30pm. We drove the highways, which are toll roads...just watch your speed, as we got a surprise ticket in the mail upon our return home :( We stayed at the Hotel Churchill in Bayeux, which is a charming old hotel and loved it (had a beautiful view of the cathedral from our room). I don't recall the names of the restaurants where we ate, but did enjoy a tasty Guinness in a pub in Bayeux. Have a GREAT trip! Patti
Posted by
Rockville, MD, USA
653 posts
I spent five nights in Normandy, so I can't answer most of your questions. Two days sounds rushed but possibly doable- you'll be waking up in Paris, renting a car (last time I did this I was in Bayeux and they asked to see my passport, so back to the hotel for that), driving to Bayeux (google.com\maps says 2 hrs 40 min) and viewing the tapestry (which took me almost three hours counting all the exhibits and the gift shop). Then Mont St. Michel is another 1.5 hours by car. If you spend the night there and leave when the tour buses arrive the next morning it's about 3.5 hours back to Paris. Rick Steve's guide to Normandy will have most of the information you need. If you're looking for lunch in Bayeux I enjoyed L'Assiette Normande.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
A bit faster choice would be the 0645 train to Caen, fetch your car right across the street from the RR station around 0845, then to Bayeux about 15 miles. Fare for 3 -- 39 Euros total. You'd have nearly all day to do the beaches, tapestry, etc in and around Bayeux. Next day, arise EARLY, drive to MSM to beat the hordes, spend 2-3 hours, then a leisurely drive back to Caen, catch the 1748 or 1850 train back to Gare St. Lazare in Paris, again 39 Euros for 3. Two full days, lots of sights, and no traffic to fight around Paris. Snooze on the train coming and going. Works for us. www.sncf.com