We're looking at the Link Paris tour, which only takes place on Tuesdays. It is a day trip to Normandy from Paris but it focuses on the D day sites relevant to Canada's participation in the event. Has anyone taken this tour or any of the Link Paris tours?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
cd,
I haven't used tours from Paris to visit the Canadian sites, but have used local tours in Normandy for that. The tours I've taken there have been full day (~9 hour) tours, and they were well worth the expense! Taking a day trip from Paris is going to provide less time in Normandy, which will limit the number of historic sites you'll be able to visit. It will be a LONG day!
The Links Paris tour appears to only visit four sites, which is very limited. The Juno Beach Centre is not entirely concerned with the D-Day history, but I suppose that was included for expediency since it's right at the beach so can be visited at the same time. If you only want a quick look those sites may be enough, but there's lots more to see.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
I'm with Ken. A tour for those interested in the Commonwealth role needs to be far-ranging, to take in the essential tank battles outside Caen. Mine started in Bayeux and still took up most of the day. It was very rewarding and worth the cost. DIY visits forfeit the guide's background and context. Unfortunately the company I used has closed.
I'm more hesitant about the Canadian museum, which was partially motivated by persons who did not like the national war museum in Ottawa. It tries to be a history of the Canadian military rather than concentrating on the Normandy experience.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you for replies. We're now considering going straight to Normandy and spending our first night in France there rather than travelling from Paris for the D-day tour. Which tour operators did you use? Did you arrange your own accommodations? Where did you stay? Was it Caen or Bayeux?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
On your most recent questions.....
For tour operators, have a look at......
- www.ddayhistorian.com
- www.daleboothnormandytours.com (both of these are private tours, and a bit expensive for two people, but they are excellent).
- www.overlordtour.com
There are MANY others, some of which are listed in the guidebook.
Yes, I arranged my own accommodation. I'd have to check my notes for the name of the hotel, but one you could consider is Hotel Churchill which is very comfortable and in a great location. I'm sure the others will have lots of suggestions on accomodations (preferably in Bayeux).
I stayed in Bayeux, which is an excellent location as many of the tours depart from there. There's also a great WW-II Museum and also the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which describes a much earlier battle.