Paris, Normandy and ?????
 

Hi -

I've been writing on this board (and have received excellent feedback) about a trip we are taking to France. We are currently reserved for three nights at Chateau D'Audrieu in Normandy (Relais & Chateaux property) and for six nights at the Prince de Galles (Starwood points).

It seems that my wife, a teacher, will be finished with summer school on June 20th rather than the 23rd, which means we can now leave on vacation three or four days earlier. We converted Starwood points to Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific) and snagged two first class tickets, Newark to London to Paris. So the question is -

what could I add as another destination outside of Paris for three nights or, should we simply look into a stopover in London on the way?

As always, thanks for any input/advice.

Steve

That's an easy one.

Paris to Le Havre, Le Havre to [I assume you plan on seeing] the beaches at Normandy and the American Cemetery, from there to Avranches and Mont Saint Michel [having an omelette at Le Mere Poulard of course] then from Mont Saint Michel to Chartres and then back to Paris.

It is about a 2-hour 121 mile drive from central Paris to Le Havre, about a 70 mile, hour-and-a-half drive from Le Havre to Vierville/St. Laurent [American Cemetery].

From Vierville to Cherbourg it is about a 50 mile one-hour drive and then another 170 mile drive from Cherbourg to Creances to Avaranches/Mont Saint Michel.

From Mont Saint Michel to Chartres is a 210 mile, 3.5-hour drive and another 55 mile, 1-hour drive from Chartre to central Paris.

Including plenty of time to makes stops along the way this is an easy +/- 450 mile circle that can be done comfortably in two days or at a very relaxed pace in three. It will also make for an unforgettable side trip.