LeHavre to Bayeux

[Exponent]

Is it possible to get from LeHavre to Bayeux by 8:30am if the ship docks in LeHavre at 6am? If so, what is the best way?

Thanks in advance!

[TLCOhio]

Is it possible to get from LeHavre to Bayeux by 8:30am if the ship docks in LeHavre at 6am? If so, what is the best way Thanks in advance!

You asked for the "best" way and I would suggest getting a rental car and see Bayeux and other key, nearby sites and sights. Per MapQuest, it takes 1 hour 23 minutes to cover the 76.60 miles from Le Havre to Bayeux. Tell me more on your budget, party size, past Europe experiences, etc. Below are some notes on this wonderful area and many of the potential options for this visit and/or a return, later, longer visit. This area is fairly flat and reasonable to drive.

NORMANDY: This is an area with many great potentials, including its 360-mile coastline, historic cities, beaches, lush farmlands, fine cheeses, nice ciders and many Gastronomic delights! This includes calvados, an apple brandy and Camembert cheese, a local specialty. It was part of ancient Gaul, conquered by Julius Caesar in the 1st century BC. The name of Normandy is derived from the settlement and conquest of the territory by Vikings ("Northmen") from the 9th century. Architecture in upper Normandy is typified by half-timbered buildings that also recall vernacular English architecture.
For the area, here’s more tourism info: www.normandie-tourisme.fr

In our one day-trip there, we did:
GIVERNY: This is a pilgrimage for art lovers in this picturesque village (just east of Vernon where the train from Paris took us and we got our car for our day-trip in this area). It is on the banks of the Seine and was the home of French impressionist painter Claude Monet. Visitors can wander through Monet's spacious house and the exuberant gardens. Near these garden is the famed pond and bridge, the inspiration of his famous water lily series.

BAYEUX: This charming town is built around the magnificent Cathedral of Notre-Dame and is home to the 200-foot long Bayeux Tapestry. This is a world famous masterpiece whose cartoon-like scenes depict the epic tale of William the Conqueror's expedition conquering England in 1066 AD. We had a wonderful lunch at the Lion d’Or, a former coaching inn dating back to 1770. The town/area tourism website is: www.bessin-normandie.fr

WORLD WAR II LANDING BEACHES: The largest military landing in history took place in Normandy on June 6, 1944 with 130,000 troops landing that day on the beaches. Monuments, museums and bunkers are a living commemoration to the Battle of Normandy. The American Cemetery is located near Colleville-sur-Mer on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach (one of the landing beaches of the Normandy Invasion) and the English Channel. It covers 172 acres and contains the remains of 9,387 American military dead, most of whom were killed during the invasion of Normandy and ensuing military operations. The graves face westward, towards the United States. This cemetery is very moving and is maintained in an incredibly beautiful manner.

MONT-ST-MICHEL (mohn-san-mee-shel) is a unique abbey perched precariously on a 264-foot high rocky islet connected to the mainland by a causeway. Surrounded by over half a mile of massive walls and reached by a steep climb up winding streets, it remains one of the greatest sightseeing attractions in Europe and the second only to the Eiffel Tower as the most visited place in France. Its fortifications enabled the islet to withstand repeated English assaults during the Hundred Years' War. The abbey served as a prison during Napoleon's reign. Restored after 1863, and connected to the mainland by a causeway in 1875), Mont-St.Michel is also known for its tides, the highest on the continent. For more tourist info/options: www.ot-montsaintmichel.com

We took the TGV Express train back from Rennes in Brittany at the end of our day-trip to this wonderful area with many great sites and sights!

There are also options at:

ROUEN: A thriving industrial and commercial center and the third largest port in France, Rouen is steeped in history. Both William the Conqueror and Joan of Arc died in the town Victor Hugo called it "the city of a hundred spires". Rouen is home to many museums as well as its famed Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, immortalized by Claude Monet’s paintings.

DIEPPE/FECAMP/ETRETAT: As the oldest seaside resort in France, Dieppe has its history retold in the castle museum. The Benedictine Palace & Museum, home of the famous Benedictine liqueur, is Fecamp's main fame, along with its picturesque marina. A short drive down the coast is the village of Etretat, nestled between striking white cliffs.

DEAUVILLE/TROUVILLE: The glamorous resort town of Deauville, home to the rich and famous, is a thriving vacation spot of luxury hotels, casinos, race tracks, golf courses and polo grounds. Its twin city, Trouville, separated from Deauville by the Touques river, is a more sedate fishing village. Both towns boast wide sandy beaches. Another town named Honfleur is the birthplace of impressionist painting. Honfleur is a charming harbor village with narrow timbered houses. Monet and Baudelaire are two of the many artists who spend time in this 11TH century town.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[John Bull]

Is it possible to get from LeHavre to Bayeux by 8:30am if the ship docks in LeHavre at 6am? If so, what is the best way?

Thanks in advance!

There's no simple train route. Terry is right, by road (taxi or self-drive) is the best bet, driving directions are pretty simple. Googlemaps quotes 1hr 25 mins for the 76 miles, I find googlemaps a little pessimistic, you should be able to do it in under an hour & a quarter, esp if you clear the Caen ring road before 8pm or at a weekend. You'll need a few euros for the tollbridge over the Seine

One fly in the ointment. I recall a thread which complained of the difficulty of getting a rental car at Le Havre quayside fullstop, let alone at daft o'clock in the morning. Hopefully HeinBloed will latch onto this thread - or perhaps you can alert her. She knows her stuff with continental trains & carhire.

John Bull

[mike23]

Terry
How long a drive is it from Le Havre to Dieppe?

Mike

[TLCOhio]

Terry: How long a drive is it from Le Havre to Dieppe? Mike

If you go to:
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/europe.adp?do=nw
you can get detailed driving directions, alternative routes, maps and other info.

They say it would take 1 hour 19 minutes to cover those 72.28 miles from Le Havre to Dieppe.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[Hlitner]

Is it possible to get from LeHavre to Bayeux by 8:30am if the ship docks in LeHavre at 6am? If so, what is the best way?

Thanks in advance!

The only chance would be with a car whether you hire a car/driver or rent a car. It takes about 1 1/2 hours for the drive assuming you can get out of LeHavre without getting lost. Your problem would be that its probably impossible to get a rental car early enough in the morning to get to Bayeaux by 8:30. Most rental car companies do not even open until 7 (or later) and since its France you can count on more than a few minutes to complete all the paperwork.

Hank

[moyaroo]

One fly in the ointment. I recall a thread which complained of the difficulty of getting a rental car at Le Havre quayside fullstop, let alone at daft o'clock in the morning. Hopefully HeinBloed will latch onto this thread - or perhaps you can alert her. She knows her stuff with continental trains & carhire.

John Bull
The biggest trouble with LeHavre and car hires is that if you are in on a Sunday, you are out of luck. My stop this summer, you guessed it, Sunday.

I know of nowhere else in France with no rental agencies open on Sunday. C'est dommage!

[TLCOhio]

The biggest trouble with LeHavre and car hires is that if you are in on a Sunday, you are out of luck. My stop this summer, you guessed it, Sunday. I know of nowhere else in France with no rental agencies open on Sunday. C'est dommage!

In checking in the past, I have found other French cities without Sunday car rental offices being open. It is not just this one port. Avis is one of the large rental firms throughout France. It is a pain and frustration if you're there on a Sunday.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[overlord14]

Hi,
I am french and I live in Normandy and I know for sure that the rental car company won't be open that early. You should book a taxi or hire a driver. Feel free to ask if you have more questions.
Francis.

[portsherry1]

Hi,
I am french and I live in Normandy and I know for sure that the rental car company won't be open that early. You should book a taxi or hire a driver. Feel free to ask if you have more questions.
Francis.

Is it very difficult to take train from Le Havre to Bayeax - we will be leaving the ship and no hurry to get to Bayeau. Understand there is a change in Rouen and Caen then Bayeux?

Thanks for your assistance.

Linda

[Hlitner]

Is it very difficult to take train from Le Havre to Bayeax - we will be leaving the ship and no hurry to get to Bayeau. Understand there is a change in Rouen and Caen then Bayeux?

Thanks for your assistance.

Linda

Forgive me for butting :)

You are talking about a train ride that will take you over 4 hours each way (some of the trains take over 5 hours) and this fun journey will cost you over $100 per person (2nd class). Having been to Bayeux (twice) it is hard to imagine it being worth all this trouble. Oh, and by the way, you can drive it in about 1 1/2 hours and renting a car for a day would cost you much less then the train (for 2 or more people).

Hank