My husband and I are planning a trip to Paris in October. We were going to do the early morning train to Bayeux and sign up for the full day tour with Bayeux Shuttle or Overlord Tours. We understand it will be a full, long day, and we are ok with this.
Has anyone done this and can share their review? Also, has anyone done a half day tour and preferred that over the full day tour?
If you’re coming from Paris and do a 1/2 day tour, not likely that most of the tour companies regularly pick up folks at the train station. Ultimately a half day tour is rudimentary at best and if you’re going to come out from Paris do as much as possible and go out for the day. Even then your tour will likely be confined to sights in the American sectors.
My bias is I live in Normandie and can spend endless time on the beaches….. because it’s worth it! If you’re going once make it count.
Overlord Tours has gotten many good reviews on this site through the years. As mentioned above, if you can only go once, make it count. All day at a minimum, and two days would be even better. You might want to consider staying in Bayeux to make the most of the time available.
I used Bayeux Shuttle in 2018. I am not sure the tour is the same now, but the full day tour is the way to go. I would suggest arriving the night before so no train delays make you miss the tour. Both companies unfortunately visit the American Cemetery in mid-day as opposed to the end of the day. The end of the day is a flag lowering ceremony (5:00pm) which is quite moving.
Either company provides a very good experience at a reasonable price.
Hi from Wisconsin,
Full day, no doubt.
I know this sounds extravagant but an overnight in Bayeux the night before the tour might allow you to see the Bayeux Tapestry and walk the old town. If you are unfamiliar with the tapestry, it is a very long (70 meters) embroidered cloth. It tells the story of the Normand invasion of England. They believe it was completed 16 years after the invasion, perhaps as propaganda justifying Normand inheritance of the English crown. What it does do for historians is show how horses were transported across the channel, armor worn by worth sides, and head hair styles along with oh so many other things.
See what time the tapestry opens or closes and when your D-Day tour begins or ends.
One of the few cities in Normandy that was not heavily damaged during WWII. It had very little damage. it was captured so quickly no battles took place inside the city.
wayne iNWI
If you read the tour websites, they state that you must be in Bayeux the night before in order to do the full day tours. (Likely because the trains don't arrive before the 8:15am tour departure.)
No, Overlord has a full-day tour (#2FS) designed for people spending the previous night in Paris. They take the early train (at their expense) up to Bayeux and are picked up at the train station.
Had an excellent 1/2 day Viator tour of the Canadian Sites in July '22. Took the return train from Paris St. Lazare.
We chose 1/2 day because we were with our 13 year old granddaughter.
I didn’t expect much but It was well worth it.
In fact, the contracted guide was so informative and enthusiastic he went overtime.
Now, I've also done two full day tours of the Canadian Sites and the very best tour guide was a fellow named Allan Bryson who has since gone on his own.
https://www.firstnormandybattlefieldtours.com/
