Paris to Brest

[Hobbes]

Vacation to Spain & France set for late April/early May.

A bit of history: On August 28, 1944, my grandmother's husband was KIA during the Battle of Brest. She remarried after the war and 5 years later my mother was born. Needless to say I am indebted to the man whose sacrifice made my life possible. He is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery.

I'm planning this as an excursion from Paris.
The three places I have to visit are: 1. invasion beaches 2. Brittany American Cemetery 3. Brest

I am planning on renting a car/M4 in Normandy and driving to Brest. Any suggestions on other places to see in the Normandy/Brittany area?

 

[Meursault]

I have no suggestions; but I just wanted to say that I think you're trip is awesome and I hope you have very nice and safe vacation.

 

[HornInDub]

Mont-St-Michel
The Link

 

[Hobbes]

Thanks Meursault. I can't wait.
Mont Saint-Michel is cool, I appreciate the suggestion. According to legend, the archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger.

 

[Texclerk]

You could spend a month along your route and not run out of things to do. How much time do you have?

 

[Hobbes]

Yeah the time thing. My sister is studying abroad in Barcelona so my folks and I are going over after the semester is finished. Mom wants to go to Paris so I insisted we do this too. So 3 days maybe

... but I know it will be the best part of the trip.

If I can rent the M4 then I figure we can save time and just go cross country unless we run into somebody with a Panzer. Yeah that wasn't funny.

 

[Texclerk]

With all of the driving that you will be doing, I would not try to fit much more in. It does not look far, but it will take longer to drive that route in France than it would in Texas. Renting a car is the only way to do it.

I would take the train to Bayeux (early), check out the tapastry, eat at Le Pommier or the italian place across the street, and head out to the invasion beaches. You could even do a tour of the beaches from Bayeaux. There are whole day and half day tours with many good guides.

Spend the night there, and then head for the cemetary the next day. Go to the cemetary and then spend the night ON MSM. It is so much more special after the day trippers are gone.

The next day head on to Brest. Spend the night there or be prepared for a late train ride trip back to Paris (four hours).

When renting cars, please be advised that rental agencies are often closed on weekends and over lunch (which can be two hours).

Please let me know if you have any specific questions. I am happy to help, but the best advice I can give is to not look for much more to do in addition to what is already planned.