Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left Rouen Metro Middle Bicycling Right Getting around on horseback
Getting Around Normandy
By Rail
SNCF operates a wide
rail network linking the
region's major towns and
cities. One of the most
technically advanced train
systems in the world, the
service is fast, frequent
and punctual (see p116) .
By Boat
From Vernon, you can
spend three hours sight-
seeing on the Seine,
with commentary by a
trained guide and lunch
on a converted 1940s
barge. There are similar
guided river trips on the
Douve and the Taute near
Carentan, concentrating
on the history, geography
and environment of the
marshlands. d www.
giverny.org/cruises Douve:
02 33 71 55 81 Taute: 02
33 55 18 07
a clean licence. Before
booking, look into fly-drive
packages (see p116) . d
www.avis.com www.
budget.com www.herz.
com www.europcar.com
City Transport
With the exception of
central Rouen's fiendish
one-way system, most
cities are car-friendly, with
plenty of pay-and-display
parking and car parks.
Public transport is largely
reliable, with bus services
in all towns and cities.
Rouen has a metro, and
Caen, a new tram system.
By Bus
Bus routes link many
of the region's major
destinations, although
schedules are geared to
students and commuters
rather than tourists, and
there's a reduced service
at weekends. Coastal
routes tend to be the
most reliable. Different
companies run the
network for each
département ; details are
available from the depart-
mental tourist offices.
On Foot
Normandy is criss-
crossed by hundreds of
footpaths graded to suit
walkers of all levels. The
well-known grande
randonnée (GR) trails,
marked by red and white
stripes, take walkers
through some spectacular
scenery. The departmental
tourist offices provide
details and mapping of
GR routes in their area,
and most tourist offices
in larger towns and cities
publish a “Circuit du
Patrimoine , a suggested
city tour covering all the
interesting sights.
Taxis
Note that taxis can
only be picked up from
taxi ranks ( stations de
taxi ) or summoned by
telephone - not hailed on
the street. Check that
your taxi has a meter
before entering. Fares
can vary from one
département to another.
By Car
With your own car,
you can venture off the
beaten track. Depending
on the type of road, four
speed limits apply: on
autoroutes , the usual
limit is 130 kph (81 mph);
on N or RN roads - dual
carriageways - it's 110
kph (68 mph); on local D
and minor C and V roads,
it's 90 kph (56 mph);
lastly, there's a limit of
50 kph (31 mph) in all
built-up areas.
By Bicycle
With its varied terrain
and plentiful backroads,
Normandy is a wonderful
region for cycling. You
can transport your bike
by air, rail or ferry, or you
can hire one in most
towns and at some
railway stations. If you're
after a mountain bike,
look out for the sign VTT
( vélos tout terrain ). There
are permanent cycle
paths throughout the
region; details are
available from tourist
offices and local cycling
associations.
On Horseback
A charming way to
enjoy Normandy, whether
it's a riding tour of the
Perche or a guided trek
across the Bay of Mont-
St-Michel. You can explore
the Orne driving a simple
roulotte - a horse-drawn
wagon sleeping up to
four people. Tourist offices
will provide details .
Car Rental
All the major rental
companies operate in
Normandy from airports,
railway stations and city
centres. Most require
drivers to be over 21, with
For tourist information See p118
117
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search