We are a group of 4 adults travelling to France in July. We would like to explore the Normandy area and WW sites in 5 days. We have heard mixed recommendations regarding a tour or doing it on our own. We have a car and are planning a few days in Bayeux and then travelling up to Amiens to go to Vimy and Dieppe.
Can anyone comment on where we should pay for a guided tour and a recommendation of tour company would be great.
I did the tour on my own as a resourceful budget traveler on public transportation but I did a lot of research about regional buses and I read the history on the Normandy area and WW sites before I went so I knew where I wanted to go
Since you are planning to rent a car, if you think you can do the research about the WW Sites and navigate a visit to them by driving yourselves then I would go for that. Otherwise base yourself at Bayeux and have the hotel arrange a guided tour of the sites. Overlord Tours out of Bayeux is one that has been recommended in the past
Here is a thread with comments
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/day-tours/d-day-beach-tours-from-bayeux
dj,
I would highly recommend taking a tour of the Canadian sites. You'll learn far more than by touring on your own, and it will be a more interesting and rewarding experience. The guides in that area are excellent, they know the history thoroughly and know the quickest way to get from one site to another. On the tour that I did, the guide covered some significant sites that I wasn't even aware of.
With four people sharing the cost, one of the full day tours would give you a good overview of the Canadian part of the landings. The best guides are not inexpensive, but I don't mind paying for excellence. Some guides provide minivan transport, so you wouldn't need the car.
If you need information on guides in that area, post another note here.
My wife and I stayed in Bayeux for three nights last September. I had pre-booked the Canadian and British oriented tour with Overlord Tours, and it was excellent. It certainly helped that we were the only two who had booked that tour that day (there was a large crowd gathered waiting for the American sites tour), so it turned out to be a private tour. The guide was very knowledgeable, passionate and personable, and with suggestions and information she provided, my wife and I toured several more sites on our own the next day. For a group of four, I'd definitely recommend a private guide, or at least booking into a group tour.
DJ, the following is from our post on a similar inquiry a few months ago (I'll add this: he doesn't charge "per person", so the relatively high cost split among 4 adults might be more manageable.)
"Bertrand Saudrais (Executive D-Day Tours) offers an excellent all-day tour, customized to your particular interests. He picks you up at your hotel/accommodation, provides a top notch commentary supplemented with photos and maps, and is a charming, humorous and extremely well-informed guide.
Detailed reviews (ours is attributed to MandR818) at: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187181-d1788361-Reviews-Executive_D_Day_Private_Tours-Bayeux_Calvados_Basse_Normandie_Normandy.html
His website: http://www.executived-daytours.com/
"Bang for Buck?" It's not cheap, but when you factor in the quality of the tour; the advantages of not having to drive, navigate, park; and the overall convenience, we felt it was a worthwhile splurge."
The Caen Memorial museum offers a tour package for Canadians that includes pick up and drop off at the Caen train station, a tour of the museum, lunch, and five hours at the beaches. In summer they offer them every Tuesday and Thursday. Since you will have a car, it might not work for you, but other Canadians might want to consider this option as a day trip from Paris. See http://normandy.memorial-caen.com/visit/your-own-family-or-friends/day-trips for more information.
