First Trip to France (and not the last!)

We went to France from 09/02/15 to 09/23/15. We planned the trip ourselves using Rick's France and Paris 2015 books. The info contained is invaluable, especially for first time overseas travelers. We spent 8 days in Rouen, 9 days in Amboise, and 4 days in Paris. We had a wonderful time and are planning to return next year. I will use the "Practicalities" chapter of the France 2015 book to guide an outline of our trip.
1. Money: We obtained some euros in the USA to pay for emergencies. We won't do that again because atm's are everywhere. Our chip & pin debit and credit cards worked well. Warning: Don't use your debit card at two different banks within minutes of each withdrawal, your bank will block your card for security reasons. It took two days to get the block removed. Luckily, we had two different debit cards. We used cash for almost every transaction. 2. Sightseeing: Rouen- We saw most of what Rick mentions in the book and a lot more. We highly recommend Jardin des Plantes, Cote de Ste. Catherine, and St. Sever. We used trains and buses to get to Vernon and Monet's Garden and LeHavre and Honfleur. We kicked around in Vernon and LeHavre...Amboise: Amboise is a jewel. We walked everywhere in that town: into neighborhoods, to cemeteries, Ile d'Or, along the river, the Pagoda, Clos de Luce. We saw four chateaux: Chateau Royal d'Amboise, Chambord, Cheverny, and Chenonceau. Chambord is a must see. From Amboise we went to Tours and Bourges and spent a day in each. The cathedrals in each city are our favorites...Paris: We saw some of the usual sights, but much preferred strolling thru neighborhoods like Marais, Montmartre, and Rue Cler. We loved the Carnavalet Museum,our barge ride on the Canal St. Martin, & the Rodin Museum. 3.Sleeping: Rouen- We rented a gite thru Gites de France. The clean,spacious gite (No.G4061) has a well equipped kitchen. It's near Place St. Marc in an area with many shops, restos, & markets...Amboise- We stayed at L'Iris des Marais, a B&B. We loved this place. The owners, Katia & Vianney Frain, are lovely people and made us feel at home. We used their garden often for picnics. The beds are comfortable and the breakfasts delicious. M. Frain, an accomplished collage artist, has his gallery next to the B&B. He gave us a tour of his studio...Paris- Hotel Jean Bart: excellent staff and service; very comfortable and clean. We walked everywhere easily from there. 4. Eating: Rouen- We used our kitchen and ate out. Our favorite restaurant was La Petite Auberge...Amboise- Without a doubt, La Fourchette is tops. The food is fresh and well prepared. You must have a reservation-get it in the morning, early...Paris- "La Crepe rit du Clown" is a bargain and the food is quite tasty. We did a lot of picnicking in all three cities: outdoor markets supplied bread, cheese, meat and fresh tomatoes. Cheese to die for: Cremeux des Citeaux aux truffes. 5.Communicating I bought an unlocked smartphone before our trip. I bought a SIM card at a tabac, wasted 10euros. Buy your SIM at one of the phone stores like Orange or SFR and let them set it up. 6. Transportation In all three cities we walked everywhere, 10 to 15 miles per day. We never rented a car. We also made use of all the modes of public transportation: trains, metros, buses. They are easy to use and get you where you want to go (or close). For instance, we rode the bus to Chenonceau and had lots of time for the chateau. 7. Resources: We used the TI's in all the cities we visited; they are invaluable. The French workers in shops, restos, train stations, etc. are very willing to help. They all know a little English. Summary: We are so glad we spent many days in Rouen and Amboise. We really felt like temporary locals by the time we left. We were never bored. Traveling to these smaller cities first prepared us for the bustle of Paris and gave new meaning to the saying "Less is more."