suspaul Posted November 24, 2014 #1 Share Posted November 24, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted November 24, 2014 #2 Share Posted November 24, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suspaul Posted November 25, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted November 25, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted November 25, 2014 #4 Share Posted November 25, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted November 25, 2014 #5 Share Posted November 25, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suspaul Posted November 25, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Thanks to all! notametermaid, I'm going to look at the train, would rather do that, thanks for the helpful links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisker92 Posted November 27, 2014 #7 Share Posted November 27, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare frantic36 Posted November 27, 2014 #8 Share Posted November 27, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suspaul Posted November 30, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted November 30, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now