I'm hoping someone can assist me in planning a trip out of Paris to the D-Day landing beaches. My husband and I (in our early 70's) have been on bus tours that take us where they want to go or where we want to go but of a short duration. What's the easiest way to get back and forth without spending a small fortune on private tours or driving ourselves? Thanks for your help!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
123 posts
I would recommend Rick's Snapshot Normandy guidebook, which will feature the towns we like best in the area as well as the best ways to get around, tour guide and tour company recommendations, hotels, etc. This book is available on our website here: http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=158&id=510. We also offer a consulting service where you can set up an appointment either in person (if you live near Seattle) or over the phone and one of our experts can assist you with your planning. We do not make any bookings or reservations, but they will really walk you through the logistics of your entire trip. The fee is $50 for half an hour in person and $75 for half an hour over the phone (we charge more for the phone appointments as the consultant will spend some extra time going over your questions and itinerary that you email prior to the appointment). Please call us at 425-771-8303 x298 if you are interested. The guidebooks are really the best place to start though. You might also watch Rick's episode on Normandy, which you can view free on our website here: http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
698 posts
We did an overnight from Paris using a tour offered by the museum in Caen. Took the train to Caen where we were met, taken to the museum, then on to the beaches. Overnight at Bayeaux , and spent the day enjoying that lovely town. easy to arrange a taxi back to train and there were many tours available thru hotel (Lion dOR)
We only wished we stayed an additional night in Bayeaux as it was a lovely and relaxing stay.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
Diane has some good suggestions and I have also heard good things about the tour organized by the Memorial museum in Caen. Rick has a long list of other tour companies in his book--most are based on Bayeux. I would try hard NOT to take a day-trip bus tour from Paris if at all possible--you'll spend more time on a bus than you will at the D-Day beaches. Try to stay overnight in Bayeux (not Caen, since it is a relatively ugly city due to WWII bombing). So what I'd do is take the train--many tour companies will pick you up at the station--tour the beaches for the day, stay overnight in Bayeux, and go back to Paris the next day after enjoying Bayeux.