Getting from Paris to Bayeux

Since Overlord is taking you on your tour, you don't need a car. Save yourself the trouble and just take the train.

Yes, the train is the obvious answer.

Thanks for the advice!

My husband and I trained to Bayeux from Paris for a day trip with a guide around the WWII sites in Normandy. It was very easy to catch the Metro to the train station and then the train to Bayeux. This was several years ago but I wished we had planned to spend a night in Bayeux. I agree with the earlier post that a car will be unnecessary if you are doing the tour with Overlord.

Try to see the Bayeux Tapestry while you’re there.

If you are going to do more than just take an organized tour, having a car is highly recommended. Even if you have an extra half day to go to things the tour didn't cover, or places you wish you could spend more time and go back to. If all you're doing is a tour, the train is pretty simple and basic. It leaves from Gare Saint-Lazare regularly and you don't need reservations. But when you return on the train, you will still need to get to CDG. Just be aware that other than thing right in Bayeux, you will not be able to venture out once you are there—there is no effective public transportation. Best and simplest way from CDG to/from Gare Saint-Lazare is either a fixed rate taxi (50€ for up to four people and luggage), or the RoissyBus (12€ per person).

You will not need an IDL to rent a car, and they won't ask for one, but some would advise you to get one for some supposed requirement (watch me get flamed for saying this). I have never gotten one and have never heard from a single person in France who had a negative issue because they didn't have one. Never!. I'd say more, but the moderators typically censor me for elaborating on this truth. So excuse me if I don't reply to all the haters.

The taxi from Gare St Lazare to CDG is 55€ for up to 4 people not 50€.

Debs,

Given the very short time window for your visit to Normandy, I'd suggest going to Bayeux as early as possible after your RS tour, so that you'll have time to do a bit of sightseeing before your Overlord tour. There are direct trains to Bayeux from Gare St. Lazare, although they will likely be less frequent on Sundays. Using an arbitrary date to research, it looks like there's a departure at 08:59, arriving at 11:17 (time 2H:18M), and that would be a good choice. You'll need to get from wherever your Paris hotel is to Gare St. Lazare. Ask the hotel staff for the best option. I'd probably use a Taxi, although I have used the Metro on past occasions.

I would not recommend renting a car as that will be an unnecessary hassle, and it's not required for the touring you'll be doing. You would need an International Driver's Permit for driving in France. This is what the Embassy of France says on that subject.....

"If you come to France for a short visit (such as holidays), you can drive using your foreign licence. It must be valid and either written in French or accompanied by an official translation into French or an international licence."

Whether you're ever asked to produce an IDP is not the issue..... it is required!

The station in Bayeux is a short distance from town so you'll need to take a Taxi. There are usually a few waiting to meet incoming trains. However on the way back to Paris, it's a good idea to ask your hotel to pre-arrange a Taxi.

While in Bayeux, you may want to have a look at the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which details a much earlier battle. There's also a great WW2 museum in Bayeux. Other than that, just do a walkabout and explore the town.

There are lots of good restaurants in Bayeux, and this is one that I enjoyed (although it's a bit pricey) - https://www.restaurantlepommier.com/en/welcoming-atmosphere .

Wow; thanks for these wonderful suggestions! Ken, your search turned up the route I discovered for our dates, so I feel much better about our plan. Thank you! And, yes; we plan to see the tapestry and explore the town in our short time there.

I realize this area of France deserves more time, but who knows what life will bring and if we will ever pass this way again? So, cheers to travel and helpful friends along the way!

You are so smart to have worked this addition in to your trip, and VERY smart to have hired Overlord and reserved for overnight.

Being there as you are means you are taking the time to see something meaningful. Yes, if life were perfect, we could all spend unlimited time in every single place we visit, and investigate every nook and cranny. But for most of us, that isn't reality. I am so glad you are making the effort to include this D-Day visit into your trip. You are going to have a wonderful time.

Do be sure and visit the Bayeux Tapestry - it's right there in the center of town - it would be a shame to miss it !

Echoing the advice for the train, the tapestry, and Le Pommier restaurant in Bayeux. My additional 2 cents: reserve your restaurant in advance. When I visited Bayeux for 3 nights in 2019, I was surprised that restaurants were fully booked for supper and quickly learned to stop by the night before to book for next day. Enjoy your visit.

I agree with the previous posters that you don’t need a car. We took the train to Bayeux from Gare St. Lazare - very easy. Glad that you’re adding a visit to Normandy after your tour - it’s quite moving.

DebsG wrote “…who knows what life will bring and if we will ever pass this way again? So, cheers to travel and helpful friends along the way!”

I love this. Go where you can while you can, and have a wonderful trip!

Thanks to all for your kind affirmations and excellent advice. I am looking forward to sharing my insights with others as you have all been so helpful to me!

We rode the train, and it was super easy. You also will not deal with traffic in Paris. this was a terrific creperie...
https://creperielinsolite.wixsite.com/bayeux/menu. The tapestry, cathedral and the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy were very worthwhile. Enjoy your trip.

Be sure to see the Bayeux Tapestry -- itis one of the things that just doesn't disappoint.

And renting a car in Europe is very time consuming to Americans who are used to walking up grabbing the keys and taking off. It can take an hour or two to get the car. And then if you have a tour you don't need the car -- and of course you don't have enough time to really visit villages in the area -- and parking is a nightmare in Bayeux.

Take the train. If you can't get a direct train, it is not that big a deal to transfer. But there will probably be direct trains. Take a taxi on the meter to get to the train; you don't want to haul luggage up and down stairs of the metro.

For that last night. Either stay AT the airport if you have an early plane (before noon) or stay in Paris. Do not stay NEAR the airport which is the worst of both worlds. Maybe stay in Montmartre, have dinner in Paris and take a cab in the morning for 55.
We like the Novotel at the airport for comfort and cost and decent buffet breakfast -- but definitely plan to get dinner in Paris. If you stay in Paris arrange the day before for a cab to the airport on the G7 English speaking line.

For a longer time you'd definitely want a car. Is one of your days a travel day? If so then get there and do Bayeux tapestry and cathedral and you're probably done for the day. There's also a wwii museum in bayeux and a British wwii cemetery. Hit the farmers market if you're there on Sat. It's set up by the Fontaine Saint Patrice. Bayeux can keep you busy for the non-tour day.

BTW never needed an IDL to rent a car. Always accepted my normal LA state DL fine.

Train to Bayeux is easy. Goes straight there from Paris. I'm hazy on the reservation though. Last trip 2022 we used a rail pass and spent half the trip in between cars with 2 adults and 2 kids sharing 2 fold down seats. Lucky to get those too. Train was packed. Maybe just bad luck.