Hi,
I had a quick question and really couldn't find enough information on this topic.
I'm going to be traveling to France in the beginning of June and will be heading out to MSM and Normandy for two and half days. I planned on spending a half day at MSM and a full day at Normandy. I'll be in Normandy during the week of the anniversary of d-day. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to see but I was wondering as few things.
1) Should I flip the itinerary and spend one day at MSM and 1/2 day at normandy
I understand that the train is one of the best ways to get out to MSM but we're not too sure how to get to Normandy from there. We'll be staying in Colombel and they have bikes for us to rent or transportation to get us to MSM but getting to Normandy might be more difficult. I have considered driving from Paris to this area so we can have the car to do what we like at our own pace. However, I'm a little bit apprehensive about driving in a completely different country
2) What is driving like in France? Is there anything I need to be aware of? Toll roads? Getting around? How long is the drive from Paris to MSM?
3) Are there other options I can take to get from MSM to Normandy? Bus? Shuttles?
We have to be back in Paris by the early afternoon to catch another train elsewhere. Hence, 1/2 day will be spent just traveling back.
Thanks all. Feel free to link to topics that already answer parts of these questions. Thanks.
I have been and feel you will need more time for the Normandy area. I have a frend in France and we used his car. I feel you will need a car for the Normandy area. I would not be that concerned about driving. Just get some good map of the area.
The only other option I can tink of is one of the Paris Vsion tours to the area.
Mont St Michel is IN Normandy - you will already be there.
I guessing you really mean the Normandy (D-Day) beaches - from MSM you really need a car, but there are a couple of slow trains a day from Dol de Bretagne (near MSM) to Bayeux. You'd need a car (or pick up a tour) when you got there though.
I used a car in this area as well. I researched the trains, and it really wasn't a convenient way to go to both places. MSM would have been doable by train, but it took too long to get to the beaches by public transit for us to work it in to the 2 days we had. We saved a lot of time by having a car, and could stop wherever we wanted on a whim. I couldn't say how long it took us to get to MSM from Paris -- we stopped a couple of times, and got lost in Paris (due to my poor sense of direction.)
The roads were great, and easy to drive. They are large toll roads (expensive, about 15 Euro each direction, as I recall.) Near the Normandy beaches, they can be narrow 2 lane roads. Lots of signs, including signs for the various sites.
All freeways (with very few exceptions) are toll roads - no other roads. Tolls are modest (compared to other costs driving)Prices are on the net. The €15 above sounds reasonable for thast distance.
2½ days is VERY rushed. there isn't mush to see at the invasion coast. Do to other interesting places like Bayeux
Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate all of the help. I understand that 2 days in very rushed and that we won't be able to take all of it in. It was looking like driving was the best option. We'll be doing that instead and preparing with maps and tolls.
Thanks! I love this forum. I'll help out with posts when I can.
Bjoern,
The viamichelin site is amazing. I feel pretty confident driving around France now.
So is 1 day too much time at MSM? It's sounding like we only need a half day at the abbey if we show up when they open.
Personally I have visit MSM a few times - always showed up early morning (9 maybe) - saw abbey - walked back down the road - had lunch (although all (?) places are pretty much turist traps) - and left and did not feel I/*we needed more time - and I am FARE from a "France: 3 days, Germany 2 days -see Belgium on the way from France to Germany"-type of traveller
Since you'll have a car, you can avoid the expensive tourist cafes, and find one in a nearby town. The places on (and near) the island are very pricey, and very touristy.
FYI - you can avoid the street of tacky gift shops by climbing MSM via the ramparts. Immediately after you cross the little drawbridge, go through the doorway to your right. That will take you to the ramparts, and spectacular views.
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