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November 2022 Trip Report - France
Posted on 12/10/22 at 5:57 pm
Posted on 12/10/22 at 5:57 pm
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!
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!
This post was edited on 12/10/22 at 6:03 pm
4
Posted on 12/10/22 at 6:10 pm to Nole Man
Did you visit the Somme trenches?
Posted on 12/10/22 at 6:12 pm to kciDAtaE
quote:
Did you visit the Somme trenches?
No, we had to catch an early flight the next day, so chose Reims. Would have been a 3+ hour drive to that region and we had to turn the car in by 6pm.
Posted on 12/10/22 at 6:33 pm to Nole Man
I started a thread a few days back and have settled on Reims for our day trip from Paris next year, any other details or tips you can think of for that?
We’ll probably be going in October but how was the weather for you in late November?
We’ll probably be going in October but how was the weather for you in late November?
Posted on 12/10/22 at 7:02 pm to DukeSilver
The weather was spotty in November. Generally in the mid 40's, with a couple of days of near torrential rain. Didn't stop us as for the most part it wasn't bad at all. Few days in the 50's and actually kind of warm. Just have a good Gortex Coat and layer up.
It was a fairly easy, and beautiful drive to Reims. We only went to Moet Chandon, but the drive along the way had many wineries. Champaigneries? Never got that one down.
If one was touring the region, you'd need more than 1 day. just make sure they're open. Now, this was Sunday for us, but most were closed.
It was a fairly easy, and beautiful drive to Reims. We only went to Moet Chandon, but the drive along the way had many wineries. Champaigneries? Never got that one down.
If one was touring the region, you'd need more than 1 day. just make sure they're open. Now, this was Sunday for us, but most were closed.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 12:16 am to Nole Man
We did the exact same thing you did in Normandy/Bayeux in 2019, a few weeks before the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Highly recommended.
Posted on 12/11/22 at 9:08 am to geauxpurple
I really need to tee up this trip to Normandy again. 2020 Covid ruined our plans for that trip. Need to try again. Thanks for the reminders
Posted on 12/11/22 at 10:46 am to Nole Man
Those pictures of the fire at Notre Dame. We were there on April 15, 2019 when that was happening. We saw it right from the beginning. I started a thread about it on here that night. Too bad I didn't know how to post pictures
Posted on 12/12/22 at 5:38 am to geauxpurple
quote:
Those pictures of the fire at Notre Dame. We were there on April 15, 2019 when that was happening. We saw it right from the beginning. I started a thread about it on here that night. Too bad I didn't know how to post pictures
Wow. Can't imagine what that must have felt like. Tell us more. That must have been an experience.
Posted on 12/12/22 at 1:56 pm to Nole Man
It was surreal.
If you look at my history of topics started you will see my report from that night. I would transfer it to here if I knew how.
If you look at my history of topics started you will see my report from that night. I would transfer it to here if I knew how.
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