Bayeux and Paris May 2026

4 nights is 3 days in Paris which is very short. Versailles would take one of those, so two nights for Paris. All Paris meets your description but for a first trip you want to be near the Seine. I would choose something in the Latin Quarter or the Marais or maybe St. Germain. All an easy walk to central sites and most areas of Paris are close to good public transport. Get a Navigo Easy card for 2 Euro and put a few metro tickets on it and you can go anywhere in the Isle de France by train on those. Bus tickets are different and so if you plan to use buses you need a few of those. Metro tickets are 2.50 and bus tickets 2.

Book the Louvre, Orsay and Versailles ahead. The metro/RER ticket is good for Versailles for which you take the RER C and head for Versailles Rive Gauche, a short walk to the Chateau, just follow the crowds.

We liked the Henri IV Rive Gauche hotel which is on the left bank near Notre Dame and around the corner from Shakespeare and Co. We like to walk along the Seine at night and this makes it easy. We mostly rent in outer districts now so I am sure others will have recommendations for other central hotels. Our favorite splurge restaurant is L'Initial in the 5th with a lovely tasting menu.

If it were me I would not do Provence on this trip -- too little time too much distance covered.. If you spent a week in Paris you could vary the scene with a day trip or two and have time to really experience the city. There are a couple dozen great day trips from Paris to villages, chateaux etc. Where are you flying from and to? If flying out of Paris then if you do Provence do it before Paris so you finish there. If you are coming over from the UK or Germany or whatever then you still want to be in the town of your final major departure home the night before so finish there.

The basics of Paris takes 4 nights, 3 days. I would skip Versailles unless you have more time. Popular areas are near St Germain des Prés, the Latin Quarter, and the Marais. Meaningful hotel suggestions require your budget window in euros per night.

I would reserve any museum that interests you, purchasing tickets from the official websites. I would also book restaurants but most do not require a big lead time, usually just a few days.

You don't say from where you come, or what are your interests. If you are primarily interested in the American operation in Normandy, Omaha and Utah would make the most sense. Those were both U.S. "beaches," and the area around Utah Beach was where the U.S. Airborne operations were concentrated. My guess is a tour around there would include Sainte-Mère-Église and the paratroopers' battle for that town including the La Fiére Causeway and the church at Angoville-au-Plain. IMHO, this is hallowed ground. It may also include Point-du-Hoc—which was a heroic U.S. operation including the Rangers scaling a cliff to subdue an artillery position on the bluff.

On the other hand, Gold Beach was an area of British operation. It would likely include a visit to Arromanches, which still has the remains of the "Mulberrry Harbors" (this was an artificial harbor conceived by Winston Churchill that was basically towed across the channel and assembled on shore for delivery of men and matériel in the weeks following the D-day landing. Their ruins can still be seen on the beach, and on the horizon. (There was also one off of Omaha Beach that was totally destroyed during a freak storm on June 19, 1944 and there are no remains to be seen there.)

They are both amazing sights to see and history to visit, and obviously I would encourage you to extend your trip if at all possible. Regardless of which you choose, I also highly encourage anyone visiting Normandy with an interest in WWII history to do some basic research before you go. If you know the basics of the battle ahead of time, you will appreciate your visit more and get more out of everything you see—whether you have a tour guide or not. I have never taken a tour, but I would think if you know the basics, they won't have to spend some of the time giving you a history lesson and can concentrate on more interesting aspects pf the places you will visit. A couple of hours spent watching a good movie or documentary, or reading a good book will pay off in spades, and—compared to the research and time one normally spends planning a vacation—is time well spent. .

MOTravelMore,
Regarding Versailles, I concur with Janet. You only have 3 full days in Paris, and there is so much to see and do you will have a hard time paring down your plans for the city. Versailles is basically a full day jaunt and will cut down too much on Paris, which could easily be a 2-3 week experience. I would check a guide book for Paris (Rick Steves, Frommers, Michelin...almost any) to select your must-sees (e.g. Notre Dame, a boat ride on the Seine.....etc. etc. etc.), and plan my three days from there.

Also, if you can provide some guidance about your expectations or hopes for hotel costs per night you may get some more specific suggestions. Regarding Provence....the area is over 12,000 square miles. Are you referring to the Riviera, a small part of Provence? Whichever part of Provence you mean, the time traveling between Paris almost any part of Provence will take up a good part of a day, each way. Three nights there gives you just 2 full days, not a lot of time for the distance and time invested in getting there. Perhaps you might do this on another trip?

Just one other point. If you return to Paris from Bayeux after your second night there, and get an early train, you will get to Paris early enough to do some sightseeing that same day. (Assuming you are using the train.)

Whatever you choose to see or do, I am sure you will have a marvelous time! Amusez-vous bien!

We have stayed 2x now in Bayeux and a wonderful bnb, Petite Matin. Great location, room, breakfast, and host.
We did Normandy in more detail this time.
Caen museum-nicely done.
Omaha- smaller area to visit the beach
Pont du Hoc-lots of german bunkers all over. highly recommend.
American Cemetery is a Must. Walk the grounds, take the free tour., see the flag lowering at 4p.
Longues sur mer-german canons still there.
Arromanches- see the temporary structures in the water the army built to off load supplies.
British memorial- Must see. there was a traveling exhibit of "Standing with Giants" if it is still there, must see.

We did tour for the Eiffel tower, guide was very informative. With the tour we had access ticket to the thrid level. Wow.
Louvre is incredible, we did timed entry, to avoid long lines. It is overwhelming inside, lots of walking and LOTS of people, pack your patience.
Versailles, we did tour guide. We took the train from Paris. The inside is very opulent and the gardens area are huge and wow.