Getting to Bayeux from Rouen - Suggestions and/or Help

[suspaul]

We will be on a Viking cruise in a few weeks, Paris & the Heart of Normandy. We will be docked in Rouen from approximately 1:00pm on day 4 and remain docked until day 6 at 7:00am. Day 5 is an all day included tour to the Normandy beaches but we're interested in seeing the Bayeux Tapestries so we'd like to arrange either a tour from Rouen or take a train or rent a car for the day. Does anyone have experience doing this or anything to enlighten us? I see it's about 2 hours from Rouen so we'd have all day but I'm hitting a wall in planning.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Host Jazzbeau]

I would borrow some guidebooks from the library and read the chapters on Normandy. You will find maps and descriptions of the towns that are within a reasonable radius from Rouen. I prefer Rick Steves (fewer sights with more depth), but Fodors tends to list lots more sightseeing ideas. Fodors also has a nice introduction to Normandy cuisine, but all their restaurant suggestions are full-course places that might be too much for lunch; Rick is much better for lunch suggestions.

 

As to renting a car, beyond the well-known American names you should also check Europcar, which has several locations in Rouen; manual transmission cars start a little over $50 for the day. Be aware that renting from a Railway station location will incur a surcharge (just like an airport), so a downtown location will be cheaper. The CD on your boat should be able to help you get a cab from the dock to the car rental.

[suspaul]

Thanks! We're used to independent travel but this is just throwing a slight wrench in the works. Viking used to offer another option (included tour) that did have a stop to see the Bayeux Tapestries but apparently they don't offer it any longer. Will look at a guidebook, we too like Rick Steves and will look at alternatives. Don't mind driving but since it's December we'd rather take a train.

[notamermaid]

Hello,

 

you can take a train from Rouen, the two towns are connected via an interchange at Caen. Caen is also well worth seeing I have heard. Trains are not so frequent, the journey takes over two hours one way.

 

Check here: http://www.sncf.com/

set language to English

or here: http://www.eurail.com/destinations/france

 

more info on the region here: http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/plan-your-trip-369-2.html

 

and finally the museum itself: http://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/en/la_tapisserie_de_bayeux_en.html

 

People who have seen it have told me it is really fascinating and well worth seeing.

 

The train journey will take you through some lovely countryside, however as the sun sets around 4pm in December, you will hardly see any of it on your return journey!

 

Have a great cruise.

 

notamermaid

 

Rhine valley in fog this morning, river view looks like a steamed-up laundry room.

[4774Papa]

We did an excursion from Celebrity Infinity last May that went to the Normandy beaches and other WWII sites as well as Bayeux. The Tapestries were amazing. Don't miss it.

 

My sense is that getting there would be best on a tour or car rental.

 

If you go, you might as well visit Omaha Beach and some of the other battle sites.

[suspaul]

Thanks to all! notametermaid, I'm going to look at the train, would rather do that, thanks for the helpful links.

[Talisker92]

Rouen is definitely worth visiting. The pictures below are of the Gros Horlage (big clock) and the cathedral. Monet pained the cathedral many times at different angles and lighting

[frantic36]

If you can get to Bayeux I would highly recommend going. The tapestry was an amazing sight, no taking photos though of the tapestry. You wear audio headphones which 'talk' you through the different scenes in the tapestry.

 

Bayeux town itself is lovely and we would like to stay for a few days in the future and use it as a base to explore the Normandy beaches etc.

 

Also in Bayeux is a beautiful Cathedral which is also well worth a visit.

 

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/France/Basse_Normandie/Bayeux-136477/Things_To_Do-Bayeux-Cathedrale_Notre_Dame-BR-1.html

 

We went with a ship's tour so I can't help with logistics of getting there I'm sorry.

[suspaul]

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I appreciate all of the positive info for visiting Bayeux and think we will try to do an independent trip there while docked in Rouen.