My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
will include about a week in Paris.

While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.

I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip. I
think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).

Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?

Thanks in advance to all who reply.

Regards,
Steve
---------------------------------------
Steve Remington
Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
[email protected]
---------------------------------------
Great spirits have always encountered
violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Albert Einstein
---------------------------------------

"Steve Remington" wrote in news:
[email protected]:

    > My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our
trip
    > will include about a week in Paris.
    >
    > While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    > outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    >
    > I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip.
I
    > think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    >
    > Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to
do
    > this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?
    >
    > Thanks in advance to all who reply.
    >
    > Regards,
    > Steve
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Steve Remington
    > Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
    > [email protected]
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Great spirits have always encountered
    > violent opposition from mediocre minds.
    > Albert Einstein
    > ---------------------------------------
    >
    >
    >

It is certainly doable; however, the best rates on cars are for 3-4 days
so and the drive out of Paris can be a headache, especially if driving
on the "wrong" side of the road. I would take the train to Rouen and
rent a car (paying the one day fee) and drive from there returning by
train to Paris. (This is what I would do if, for instance, I were to go
to Australia)

Last year I did a day trip from Paris to a war cemetery near St Nazaire (270
miles each way), travelled by TGV train and then got a taxi to the war
cemetery. When the taxi driver found out where I was going he stopped at a
convenient florists shop and turned off his meter whilst I signed the book
of condolences.

Steve

If you give me more details about where in Paris, and where in Rouen I can
do a more accurate measurement, but for a nebulous central Paris-Rouen
Autoroute is showing just over 80 miles in about 1hr 20 and apart from the
bits at each end it looks pretty easy (Motorway for most of it.)

How you fare driving is difficult to assess. Personally I think driving in
France is OK, and I'm English and so for me they're all driving on the wrong
side. If there are 2 of you in the car then that makes life a LOT easier, as
otherwise the Toll (Peage) barriers on the auto-route, and even car parks
can be a pain.

If it were me I'd say go for it, you'll be fine. However, you might want to
bear in mind that you can almost certainly get between Paris and Rouen by
public transport (Never tried it, so I can't tell you how) but then you
won't have the same flexibility.

Cheers

Rob
PS. When I tried to find the exact location of the Australian cemetery in
Autoroute, the only thing I could find was a "Memorial Australien" near
Amiens

"Steve Remington" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
    > will include about a week in Paris.
    > While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    > outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    > I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip. I
    > think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    > Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
    > this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?
    > Thanks in advance to all who reply.
    > Regards,
    > Steve
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Steve Remington
    > Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
    > [email protected]
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Great spirits have always encountered
    > violent opposition from mediocre minds.
    > Albert Einstein
    > ---------------------------------------

Hi,

not only is it doable I highly recommend it.

there are dozens of commonwealth cemeteries and memorials all along the
old road to rouen.

a moving experience... as a Frenchman I'd never forgiven the english for
martyring Jean d'Arc... but after a drive north from rouen I decided all
those Tommys paid for their ancestors sins.

it was raining that day...near cambrai... the clouds parted...the sun
came out... a big memorial... to the THOUSANDS of Tommys who died in
that single battle and who's remains were never found...

Cambrai you see was the first real tank battle.

it must have been HELL on that battlefield.

I paid my respects and signed the book and left a note... least I could
do for these boys who stopped the rain for me to visit.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/cambrai.htm

a ww-i era enfield now holds a place of honor in my collection.

the rain started again after I left.

but yes... make it an overnight... stop not just to pay your respects to
your Great Uncle... stop for all the other Old Soldiers... sign the
guest books... they don't get many visitors any more.

ttyl

akia


Steve Remington wrote:
    > My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
    > will include about a week in Paris.
    >
    > While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    > outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    >
    > I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip. I
    > think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    >
    > Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
    > this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?
    >
    > Thanks in advance to all who reply.
    >
    > Regards,
    > Steve
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Steve Remington
    > Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
    > [email protected]
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Great spirits have always encountered
    > violent opposition from mediocre minds.
    > Albert Einstein
    > ---------------------------------------
    >
    >


--
"But to live outside the law, you must be honest"
Bob Dylan - Absolutely Sweet Marie - 1966

My wife and I stayed in Rouen last summer. The Chambres d'Hotes (Bed and
Breakfast) we stayed at was simply fantastic. The owners are Daniele et
Michel, Tel +33(0)2 35 80 33 10, located in a small village called Boos,
about 10 minutes east of Rouen. It was the best of many wonderful Bed and
Breakfasts we enjoyed on our trip.

Gerry

--
Gerald P. Gruber, M.A.
[email protected]
GruberAssociates.com
"Steve Remington" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
    > will include about a week in Paris.
    > While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    > outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    > I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip. I
    > think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    > Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
    > this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?
    > Thanks in advance to all who reply.
    > Regards,
    > Steve
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Steve Remington
    > Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
    > [email protected]
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Great spirits have always encountered
    > violent opposition from mediocre minds.
    > Albert Einstein
    > ---------------------------------------

Steve: I don't normally answer TIA's but your question moved me. Never been
to that area although we've been to Verdun, the D-Day beaches and live right
in the middle of numerous American Civil War battlefields (Virginia).
I would highly recommend you spend the night.Spend time not only seeing your
Great Uncle's grave but walking the same ground he and his fellow Aussies
went half way around the world to shed their blood on in the name of liberty.

Since the trip is a ways away (2004), if you wish you will have time to
research and understand the particulars of the battles your Uncle and his
regiment went through and then you can visit the actual ground with a lot of
appreciation.
I've done volunteer work at some ACW battlefields and it's amazing the
people that come from all over America to see the ground where their
ancestors fought, both north and south. Many have researched the action as it
applied to their ancestor in great detail, made much easier now over just 10
years ago with the advent of the internet. It's always moving to see the
emotions when people are standing in the very same trenches as those occupied
by a family member 140 years ago.
Trust me, it will be rewarding. Maybe the highlight of the trip so spend the
night.
Doug Burke

Steve Remington wrote:

    > My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
    > will include about a week in Paris.
    > While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    > outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    > I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip. I
    > think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    > Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
    > this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?
    > Thanks in advance to all who reply.
    > Regards,
    > Steve
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Steve Remington
    > Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
    > [email protected]
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Great spirits have always encountered
    > violent opposition from mediocre minds.
    > Albert Einstein
    > ---------------------------------------

"Steve Remington" wrote in message news:...
    > My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
    > will include about a week in Paris.
    >
    > While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    > outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    >
    > I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip. I
    > think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    >
    > Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
    > this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?
    >
    > Thanks in advance to all who reply.
    >
    > Regards,
    > Steve
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Steve Remington
    > Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
    > [email protected]
    > ---------------------------------------
    > Great spirits have always encountered
    > violent opposition from mediocre minds.
    > Albert Einstein
    > ---------------------------------------

Steve,

You can certainly do the trip in one day if you are short on time, but
the more time you can spend in this area the better. If you can
dedicate 2-3 days, you can see all the important Australian sites in
this relatively compact area. Once you have made the trip from Paris
you are within an hour's drive of all the major Aussie sites.

I've put together a website with information I have gathered on my
trips to the area. Check it out at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/leo2095/diggers

Enjoy your time on the battlefields - it's a special trip for any
Australian.

Mat

You can do it easily in a day trip, using the toll highway

"Mat McLachlan" a écrit dans le message de news:
[email protected]...
    > "Steve Remington" wrote in message
news:...
    > > My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
    > > will include about a week in Paris.
    > >
    > > While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    > > outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    > >
    > > I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip.
I
    > > think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    > >
    > > Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
    > > this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?
    > >
    > > Thanks in advance to all who reply.
    > >
    > > Regards,
    > > Steve
    > > ---------------------------------------
    > > Steve Remington
    > > Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
    > > [email protected]
    > > ---------------------------------------
    > > Great spirits have always encountered
    > > violent opposition from mediocre minds.
    > > Albert Einstein
    > > ---------------------------------------
    > Steve,
    > You can certainly do the trip in one day if you are short on time, but
    > the more time you can spend in this area the better. If you can
    > dedicate 2-3 days, you can see all the important Australian sites in
    > this relatively compact area. Once you have made the trip from Paris
    > you are within an hour's drive of all the major Aussie sites.
    > I've put together a website with information I have gathered on my
    > trips to the area. Check it out at
    > http://home.iprimus.com.au/leo2095/diggers
    > Enjoy your time on the battlefields - it's a special trip for any
    > Australian.
    > Mat

Hi,

yes... it's better to do it as an overnight.

not that you couldn't do it as a day trip.

but Rouen offers some sites of it's own, and driving the "old road" back
to paris is a great experience.

visit the other old soldiers, and the civilians, in the many many WW-I
era cemetaries... they don't get many visitors these days.

Runge wrote:
    > You can do it easily in a day trip, using the toll highway
    >
    > "Mat McLachlan" a écrit dans le message de news:
    > [email protected]...
    >
    >>"Steve Remington" wrote in message
    >
    > news:...
    >
    >>>My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
    >>>will include about a week in Paris.
    >>>While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    >>>outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    >>>I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip.
    > I
    >
    >>>think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    >>>Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
    >>>this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?
    >>>Thanks in advance to all who reply.
    >>>Regards,
    >>>Steve
    >>>---------------------------------------
    >>>Steve Remington
    >>>Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
    >>>[email protected]
    >>>---------------------------------------
    >>>Great spirits have always encountered
    >>>violent opposition from mediocre minds.
    >>>Albert Einstein
    >>>---------------------------------------
    >>Steve,
    >>You can certainly do the trip in one day if you are short on time, but
    >>the more time you can spend in this area the better. If you can
    >>dedicate 2-3 days, you can see all the important Australian sites in
    >>this relatively compact area. Once you have made the trip from Paris
    >>you are within an hour's drive of all the major Aussie sites.
    >>I've put together a website with information I have gathered on my
    >>trips to the area. Check it out at
    >>http://home.iprimus.com.au/leo2095/diggers
    >>Enjoy your time on the battlefields - it's a special trip for any
    >>Australian.
    >>Mat
    >
    >
    >


--
"But to live outside the law, you must be honest"
Bob Dylan - Absolutely Sweet Marie - 1966

Steve Remington wrote:

    > My wife and are planning a trip to Europe in mid-2004. Part of our trip
    > will include about a week in Paris.
    > While in Paris I would like to visit the Australian War Cemetary just
    > outside of Rouen where my Great Uncle who died in WWI is buried.
    > I was thinking about hiring a car and driving to Rouen for a day trip. I
    > think the distance from Paris to Rouen is about 140km (87mi).
    > Is doing this trip in a day a bit adventurous? Would it be better to do
    > this trip with an overnight stay in Rouen?

I am sure that you could do it in a day, but you might enjoy it more if allow
yourself more time. Last year we spent some time wandering around France,
Holland and Belgium and ended up visiting a number of WW I battle sites from
Ypres right down through Reims and Verdun. It was fascinating. You will
probably find that you will save enough on hotels and meals outside of Paris
that it will cover the cost of your transportation.

    > there are dozens of commonwealth cemeteries and memorials all along the
    > old road to rouen.
    >
    > a moving experience... as a Frenchman I'd never forgiven the english for
    > martyring Jean d'Arc... but after a drive north from rouen I decided all
    > those Tommys paid for their ancestors sins.
    >
    > it was raining that day...near cambrai... the clouds parted...the sun
    > came out... a big memorial... to the THOUSANDS of Tommys who died in
    > that single battle and who's remains were never found...
    >
    > Cambrai you see was the first real tank battle.
    >
    > it must have been HELL on that battlefield.
    >
    > I paid my respects and signed the book and left a note... least I could
    > do for these boys who stopped the rain for me to visit.
    >
    > http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/cambrai.htm
    >
    > a ww-i era enfield now holds a place of honor in my collection.
    >
    > the rain started again after I left.
    >
    > but yes... make it an overnight... stop not just to pay your respects to
    > your Great Uncle... stop for all the other Old Soldiers... sign the
    > guest books... they don't get many visitors any more.

Thanks for writing this. It was quite moving. brought tears to my eyes.

Thanks to great advice from this group, I was able to rent a car for
just one day from Hertz (most other car companies have a 3 day min.).
Have a wonderful trip.

This is a bit off-topic, but last June I did in a day from Paris by car:

Bayeaux British cemetery
German cemetery nearby (name escapes me just now)
Pointe du Hoc
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach cemetery
with Bayeaux cathedral thrown in

Bernard Higonnet