November 2022 Trip Report - France

Paying it forward!

Dates: 11/14/2022 - 11/29/2022

Trip was split into two parts:

Viking Cruise: Paris & The Heart Of Normandy / Paris to Paris

Self Directed Driving Tour to the Normandy Region and Reims

Selected Photos

Cruise

Paris and the Heart Of Normandy

This was our 5th Viking Cruise. As usual, the service, amenities were amazing. Just unpack and go. Started the trip in Paris and stayed for 2 days (including arrival). I like Paris, but just not a big city fan compared to being outside of the city.

The cruise down the Seine was beautiful. We stopped at several beautiful small cities.

Eventually based in Rouen for 2 nights, then later toured some of Normandy, including the D-Day Museum in Caen and visiting the American Cemetery. Very sobering. My issue with all of this is the amount of time spent in Normandy. So much to see and do, thus that's why we self directed for another week on our own!

All in all, it wasn't my favorite Viking River Cruise, but it was great. I called this one my "Twilight Zone Cruise". Why? Well, I met some people from my home town in Florida. One of the guys was my age and knew a lot of the people I went to school with. One of the women in the group was actually in the same sorority at Auburn as the girl I dated throughout a better part of grad school (that's another story, in another universe, who knows, might have been the Mrs., but I digress). She was actually in her wedding as well. Too weird. Still processing that.

BUT..

On to Normandy!

Normandy

Rented a car at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Upgraded to a sweet diesel BMW 1 Series 116DM. Loved that car. Getting around was kind of a challenge initially, particularly toll booths (my biggest phobia with European driving. Imaging not figuring out how to pay and you have cars honking behind you?! But I digress). on the major roads, but eventually it became a snap. Takes chipped credit cars and you just breeze on through.

Crazy drivers in Paris. And that's the Roundaboutin's Country I've ever driven in. But I tell ya, they follow the rules. Traffic flows like water. It becomes a breeze eventually.

We based for 4 days in Bayeux. Lovely town. Really liked it. Did day trips to Mont-Saint-Michel, Sainte Mere Eglise and touried Omaha, Utah and Juno Beaches. The Longues-sur-Mer battery was one of the most spectacular sights I've ever seen.

Went back to Paris, then did a day trip to Reims. The Cathedral was incredible. Got to go in while High Mass was going on.

Went to Moet Chandon in Epernay and sampled. Good times.

All in all, I really liked France. Hadn't been since 1979. The people everywhere were friendly. Great food and wine. (Did I tell you that Calvados is now my favorite liqueur???)

Was bummed I couldn't squeeze Verdun in, but oh well. Can't do it all. A memorable trip!