Best town to stay in to tour beaches of Normandy

We have used Bayeux, Caen, and Bernieres sur Mer as bases for exploring Normandy sites. We've spent time in several of the other towns and villages in the area. We prefer the size, charm, amenities and historical sites of Bayeux over all of the other towns in this area. During October it should have fewer tourists than the peak summer months. You can also check the website of the department for Calvados to see what fall events may be happening during your visit.

We have only been in Normandy once, this May. We stayed in Bayeux, and loved it. A beautiful town, close to the beaches.

I'd have to agree with Mona and Joel, Bayeux is usually the best solution for this kind of trip - there are even a few D-Day guided tours that use it as a base and you'll find plenty to do in the town. I for one am taken with the looks of it too.

We love Bayeux - wonderful people and delicious restaurants. That time of year should be especially nice. We had a wonderful time at Hotel D'Argouges .

Bayeux or Caen are the two that many travelers consider, who report in here.

Check out www.bandbnormandie.com for a place to stay off the beaten path but only 10 miles from Bayeux. Jacques and Odile are marvelous and their modern update to their centuries old farm are delightful. We enjoyed Bayeux's tapestry, restaurants, and cathedral but also enjoyed the small shops of Villers-Bocage, a mile or less from La Ferme. We had a car and were able to drift along the back roads of Normandy, drove the 90 miles to Mont St. Michel arriving before the hordes of buses, drove around the bay to Cancale, in Brittany, for a seafood lunch with MSM visible across the bay. We also did a day tour of the D Day beaches, then returned the following day to visit those spots the tour allowed only 15 minutes or so, especially the American Cemetery above Omaha Beach.

We were in Normandy last month and stayed in Crepon which is very close to Arromanches. We had a rental car, so it was a good choice for us, as we were able to explore some of the countryside as well. We also hired a private guide for the afternoon of our arrival. We were able to get a great overview of the beaches and the history from him. We used that knowledge to spend the next two days getting a more in-depth look at the various sites that were of particular interest to us. His services were worth every penny and I highly recommend that if it is your first trip to Normandy.

Another vote for Bayeux - loved it and did not care so much for Caen the time I stayed there.
Just one opinion.....

There are enough B&B´s on the lovely countryside north of Bayeux, of interest if you have a car. Of the towns I think too Bayeux is the best place to stay, is nice and has a pleasant atmosphere.

For B&B´s see: http://en.gites-de-france.com/holiday-rentals-Normandy.html?dep=14&region_adm=16&critinit=o&chambre=o

Bayeux is a very good base for D Day Tours and the Tapistry,The Hotel Churchill is a very good hotel and is 200 yards from the D Day mini van tour pickup point.Try to get to Honfleur it is where the impressionist painters painted and the other posters covered the other highlights.
Mike

Nan,

I'd also recommend Bayeux. It's a beautiful smaller town with some nice hotels and restaurants, and while there you can also see the famous Tapestry which describes a much earlier battle. There's an excellent WW-II Museum there, and many of the D-Day tours depart from Bayeux (usually from a location near the Churchill Hotel).

Easy choice for me... Bayeux. We love it there.