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Cherbourg to Bayeux to Paris.....

Posted by on

My family and I will be traveling from Portsmouth to Cherbourg via ferry on the morning of July 8th, with the eventual destination being Bayeux. We have a short stay in Bayeux (only one night) before moving on to Paris. My dilemma is how to maximize our time - a trip to the D-Day Beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry - before boarding the train to Paris.

Here are the options I am considering and I am open to other expert opinions:

  1. Renting a car at the ferry in Cherbourg, driving to Bayeux, driving on to Caen (there is no Eurocar drop in Bayeux). Gives maximum freedom with car, but involves driving in Caen which scares my husband. ;)
  2. Taking the train to Bayeux, renting a car there (Hertz with points) so that we can drive to beaches for self tour or even down to Mont St. Michele, then dropping in Bayeux for later train to Paris after morning guided tour of beaches. This allows some freedom, but takes the additional Cherbourg/Caen driving out.
  3. Forget the rental and take train to Bayeux, do the tapestry in the evening, relax, do the guided tour in the morning, take late train to Paris from Bayeux. This takes car totally out of the mix, but puts faith in the rail system during strike season.

All of these options allow for a morning guided tour or a self-tour of the beaches/cemeteries. I would also love to hear any thoughts regarding how people feel about one over the other.

Any thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Posted by
16893 posts

The driving route suggested by Google Maps from Bayeux to Europcar at the station in Caen looks easy to me. You stay on the ring road N814 until you reach the east side of the city, then exit onto the D513, heading back west along the river to reach the train station. Only couple of turns and no small-street navigation.

Posted by
139 posts

Driving to the AVIS Rental Car office across the street from the train station in Caen was not particularly difficult (we had picked the car up at the same office so we sort of knew where we were going though) - so if the Eurocar office is in the same row of offices where AVIS is located - across the street from the strain station - it won't be particularly scary. The advantage of renting/driving from Cherbourg to Bayeux is that you could see some of the UTAH D-Day sites on the way to Bayeux that first afternoon (the airborne museum at St Mere-Eglise for example). The next morning you could go to beaches near Bayeux and work your way toward Caen during the day until it's time to go. Make sure of how late the car rental office stays open though...

Jeff's idea is pretty good IF you're ok with taking a guided tour out of Bayeux - you won't need the car - and you get an oral history lesson at the same time!

So for me it would be a choice of idea 1 or 3. I personally have gone with idea 1 on my trips - but I'm an Ugly American and can't give up my car for too long or I get the shakes :-)

Have fun!

Posted by
34 posts

Thanks everyone - I think we've decided to forego the car. As much as I would love to drive and have that freedom, I think I agree it will take too much time and I will just be tempted to drive somewhere south and I think the family will be too tired. We've arranged a guided tour, so wish us luck!

Thanks again!

Posted by
34 posts

Thanks everyone - I think we've decided to forego the car. As much as I would love to drive and have that freedom, I think I agree it will take too much time and I will just be tempted to drive somewhere south and I think the family will be too tired. We've arranged a guided tour, so wish us luck!

Thanks again!

Posted by
6522 posts

I'd just add that I think a side-trip to Mont-St-Michel would take too long in the time you have available. There's little enough time for all you want to do. I think the car-free option is best, if you can still get the Overlord or one of the other D-Day tours. If you can't, then plan 1 or 2 (minus MSM but with drive to Caen) makes sense. Caen driving shouldn't be a problem.

Posted by
9420 posts

I agree with just the train option. If you have time on your 1st day in Bayeux, I would recommend the WWII museum in Bayeux as well as the tapestry. It's really good, the best one imo.

Posted by
34 posts

Yes, thanks. I've given up my dream of Mont St. Michele for this trip. And we did book the Overlord tour. Train, it is. We might even get a moment to breathe and walk to the Cathedral and River Walk in the evening.

Thanks everyone. My husband now is feeling much better.

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