Travel from Bordeaux to Normandy and pick up a rental car on Wednesday June 5th visit Canadian and US war sites and return to Paris to fly back to Toronto Canada Sunday June 9th
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
What is your question??
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Which city do you suggest we head for.
What are the must see sites?
Suggest good low cost places to stay and eat.
Posted by
Washington DC
28096 posts
It is far better to take a small-group (van) tour of the Normandy invasion sites rather than trying to drive yourself around. The tours are far more efficient, and you'll have the benefit of an informative guide.
Bayeux is probably the best place to stay for the purpose of seeing the invasion sites. Most of the van trips depart from Bayeux, the town has an attractive historic district, a very good Invasion Museum, a very nice cathedral, and the Bayeux Tapestry.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2001 posts
I also recommend staying in Bayeux and taking a van tour of the Normandy sites. You can see more, less stress and will learn so much from the guide. If you do stay in Bayeux be sure to go see the tapestry. It is fascinating.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
We stayed here in 2014 and loved it:
http://www.labeuffrerie.com/fr/
You need a car to stay there as it is a farmhouse out in the country. It is about a 10 minute drive to Bayeux and close to Omaha beach and the American Cemetery. Breakfast is included in the reasonable price. She will also fix you dinner if you reserve ahead. We were unable to do that, but we heard from others that the food at dinner was fantastic. I have recommended it to friends and they loved it as well.
My favorite restaurant in Bayeux is Hotel Reine Mathilde and Brasserie. It is between the cathedral and the Bauyeux Tapestry. It is a lower cost restaurant, but the food is very tasty. They have a Savoy pizza that I get everytime.
We have done tours twice. Avoid the big bus tours and try to find a smaller van tour. We preferred the second company we used.:
We were 4 people and we were able to book a private tour for less than a big bus tour. You don't say how large your party is, but a private tour is very nice. Once again, I recommended this to others on this site, and they loved it.
Have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks to all
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1229 posts
My guess is that any tour company you would want to use has been booked for these dates already. 2019 is the 75th anniversary of D-day, and as such, any tour company or decent place to stay has been booked for over a year. Bayeux is a good place to base your self out of, and if you can find a reservation in that town (or anywhere near at this point), take it. This is somewhat central between Omaha Beach (American), and Juno Beach (Canadian/British). As for driving yourself around, that is a perfectly fine way to see the sites of Normandy, and what I have done on many visits. However, the more you know about that battle and the land ahead of time, the more you will get out of your visit. Since you probably can't book a tour at this late date, this is particularly important. Read, watch movies, go online, and find out as much as you can and your driving time will be much better spent for it. Also, go to the local tourist info web sites, and find out where certain ceremonies will take place, and what areas will be off limits due to dignitaries attending various events. Good luck, and enjoy!
P.S. I will be parachuting into Normandy on the 5th from England with a reenactment group (weather permitting), and taking a train back to Paris on the 9th after a huge celebration that day in Sainte-Mère-Église.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
Don't rent a car; take a guided tour of the invasion beaches. The experience will be far more rewarding than anything you can do on your own. Choose carefully since a Canadian will want to see Juno as well as US sites, plus important tank battles for the Falaise gap that can really only be done with a guide. That area is near Caen, another possibility for accommodation since it is larger than Bayeux and is home to the well-reviewed "Peace" museum (and also William the Conqueror's fortress.) BUT as has already been suggested, the area will be jammed for the 75th anniversary on June 6. The Canadian military-tours specialist I have travelled with started selling its programs six months ago. PS: Your government taxes support a useful website on all graveyards and memorials. SNCF trains go frequently to Paris.