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Post by Shoesy on Aug 20, 2008 22:14:53 GMT -5
Well, now that I don't have any weddings to plan and my summer trip to N.Y. is behind me, it's time I started thinking about a 2009 trip to Paris, right? Well, we're seriously considering beginning it with 3 nights in Normandy.......let's say in June.  Naturally, we want our visit to include the D-Day beaches and Mt. St. Michel, and I've been trying to come up with the best option as to a place to stay for 3 nights. We would like to be in the same place for all 3 nights in order to avoid the checking in/ checking out hassle, which would also mean being stuck with luggage in our car.  (We'll have a rental.) Staying in Bayeux could be a good option, though it would mean a bit of a drive to Mont St. Michel and back.  I'm also considering this really nice-looking chateau 18 km. from MSM, which would then be a bit far from the beaches. www.chateaudebouceel.com/ Any ideas? Needless to say, I'm very inexperienced when it comes to planning trips.  |
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Post by GitteK on Aug 21, 2008 3:11:16 GMT -5
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 21, 2008 4:25:12 GMT -5
Wow, Gitte! I've just exalted you for giving me some magical places to check out. Thanks a million.  This is going to be so much fun.  |
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Post by Jody on Aug 21, 2008 5:12:13 GMT -5
Driving in Normandy is easy and most places are accessible within a relatively short time. We stayed inland at LeVey but traveled to the beaches, MSM, Caen, Honfleur , Bayeux , and some of the interior Normandy villages easily each day. You might consider staying at Col. Chilcott's place. www.vrbo.com/352.. He is a retired British colonel and gives tours of the beaches. The beaches themselves are just taht..beaches...so it really improves the experience to have someone who can explain what happened. If you stay there the tour is separate and you can visit the other places on your own. You don't have to stay there to use his services.I wish we had because I'm sure we would have appreciated it more. As it is David is quite knowledgeable about the landings and even he said he would have liked more info. A friend of mine has stayed there a few times and really liked it. |
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 21, 2008 6:28:33 GMT -5
And a big thanks to you too, Demarais. I was thinking that we'd need some kind of tour in order to understand exactly what went on over there. |
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Post by sunshine817 on Aug 21, 2008 8:08:43 GMT -5
Shoesy, if you can manage the time to drive along the beaches, it's very interesting to compare and contrast ALL of the beaches -- the different forces had far different experiences, all because of the topography of the beaches they drew to invade from.
Honfleur is one of my favorite places ever -- it's a beautiful small village, with restaurants snuggled next to the tiny harbor, and the moules frites are top-shelf. We've been there in September and June, and somehow everyone is welcoming and friendly - one of the few heavily-touristed towns we've visited that hadn't been jaded by the throngs.
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Post by mossie on Aug 21, 2008 8:36:43 GMT -5
This area is so well worth a visit. MSM is a magical place, and Honfleur is the perfect picture postcard.
We toured the area once and stayed in Courselles, one of the British beaches; Cancale, which is a fishing port with a view across the bay to MSM; and Bayeaux which has the famous tapestry. The Arromanches Mulberry harbour is a must with quite a good museum, but there are interesting little museums and memorials all through the area, not forgetting Pegasus Bridge.
I worked with a man who was in our forces who took this area. He never talked about it until his retirement day when I took him home and casually asked what he had done in the war. He told me his war only lasted four days and the only weapon he used was his knife.
The cemetaries are very moving and they are all along the coast.
Falaise must also to be seen, it was the final pinchpoint where the Germans were savaged by air and land forces.
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Post by gracejoan on Aug 21, 2008 8:45:07 GMT -5
Chateau d'Audrieu is a nice place. I have stayed there. A good location to head in all directions. Some people also like Chateau de Sully.
Cancale is not as central, but De Bricourt-Richeux is a very fine place. Their 3 star restaurant Maisons de Bricourt is a place not to miss.
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 21, 2008 8:56:22 GMT -5
Thanks for all your replies. Before my last trip to Paris in 2006, (I know....it was much too long ago ) we went to the Loire Valley for 3 nights, and I loved it so much that I was afraid that any other place would be a disappointment. However, your posts show me that I was apparently wrong and that there's a lot to see and enjoy in Normandy. |
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Post by sistereurope on Aug 21, 2008 8:59:11 GMT -5
Shoesy, I have no suggestions for you as I've never been to Normandy, but I just wanted to say "YIPPPEEEE - you're planning a trip to PARIS!!! I'm VERY happy for you... ;D |
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Post by luckyluc on Aug 21, 2008 9:07:21 GMT -5
When in Normandie we stay at the Chateau de Goville, near Bayeux. The only problem is that you will not want to leave! www.chateaugoville.com |
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Post by sunshine817 on Aug 21, 2008 9:10:57 GMT -5
And therein lies the rub, Shoesy -- We have visited most of the regions of France, and have yet to find one we DIDN'T like! Every village, every departement, has something about it that makes it special, and very enjoyable.
We like some better than others, but a bad day in France beats a good day at work hands down!
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Post by annettecinca on Aug 21, 2008 9:18:21 GMT -5
Shoesy, I'm so glad that you are officially planning a trip! I'm doing the happy dance for you |
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Post by Laidback on Aug 21, 2008 10:09:06 GMT -5
Shoesy, like you, we love the charm of old chateaus which have been converted to hotels. Two that we have stayed in near Bayeux are the chateau de Sully on the edge of Bayeux and the smaller, quirky Chateau de Goville, which has been in the same family since 1813 and the 10 rooms are named for past family members with displays in every nook and cranny of china collections, antique dolls and doll houses. These 2 chateaus are very different, the former a large relais and chateau type and the latter a little touch of kitsch out in the country a few kilometers from Bayeux. |
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 21, 2008 10:22:11 GMT -5
I think I've fallen in love with the Chateau de Goville. It looks so charming, and I especially love the fact that it has antique dolls and doll houses. It definitely appeals to the girly romantic that I am. |
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Post by geordy on Aug 21, 2008 17:23:05 GMT -5
Oh wonderful..so glad you are planning your next trip!! (esp. with that B'day coming around that time  ) Only been to Normandy on day trips but loved it and I'm sure you will too with all the info you've gotten here! How's the jet lag??? |
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Post by mtngrl on Aug 21, 2008 17:26:21 GMT -5
Shoesy--I almost hesitate to suggest the place we stayed in Bayeux last summer. The Hotel Churchill is the place, and the only reason I hesitate is because you have already gotten some great looking places suggested to you. This hotel is not luxe, but it is nice and very comfortable, and the location right in the heart of Bayeux was excellent. We did not have a car, so of course location was a big factor for us. But really, the hotel was great. My moms room was tiny, but very well kept, and our room was quite large. The owners/staff were exceptionally helpful.
We did the one day American Highlights tour with Battlebus and it was so good. Wished we would have booked the 2 day tour. Even my mom agreed, lol!
Which, she was just here for a week. And yes, she brought her bathrobe along, lol!
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 21, 2008 23:45:29 GMT -5
Mtngrl - So nice to see you !!! It's a wonderful coincidence that you should pop in just now because I was actually thinking of you yesterday when I did my homework on TA and saw that you had highly recommended the Hotel Churchill, which, as you probably know, is #1 on TA for Bayeux hotels. I was thinking of asking you about it since you and I both liked the Hotel Britannique in Paris. If we decide on staying on a hotel in Bayeux, it would probably be that one, but as it is now, I'm mesmerized by all the gorgeous chateux. I don't want to spend a fortune, though, and we will definitely have to take everything into consideration when we make decisions about this trip. |
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 22, 2008 3:57:29 GMT -5
My goodness! All this excitement about going to Normandy (I haven't even given Paris a thought yet  ) is making me think that maybe I need to stay there 4 nights instead of 3. My hubby might prefer a 2-day D-Day tour instead of a 1-day tour, and if those tours are as interesting as they say, I wouldn't object to that option. We could definitely stay in Normandy for 4 nights if we want, but how am I to decide? |
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Post by mtngrl on Aug 22, 2008 11:16:42 GMT -5
Shoesy--If you have the time, definitely stay for 4 nights and do the 2 day tour! Last year we were kicking ourselves for only doing the one day tour as we had no idea just how great it was going to be. If you do that, you could split your time between two places to stay. I know...more packing/unpacking...but the Churchills location is so nice to go have dinner and drinks and just walk back to the hotel.
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(We'll have a rental.) Staying in Bayeux could be a good option, though it would mean a bit of a drive to Mont St. Michel and back. 
I'm also considering this really nice-looking chateau 18 km. from MSM, which would then be a bit far from the beaches. www.chateaudebouceel.com/ 
)
) is making me think that maybe I need to stay there 4 nights instead of 3. My hubby might prefer a 2-day D-Day tour instead of a 1-day tour, and if those tours are as interesting as they say, I wouldn't object to that option. We could definitely stay in Normandy for 4 nights if we want, but how am I to decide? 
hahahha