I have a trip to paris scheduled for September. I am traveling alone and do not want to rent a car, so my plan is to fly into Paris and catch a train to Bayeux and a one day tour of Normandy. Any tips on where to stay and a good tour company. I will be getting to Bayeux in the early evening and plan to stay for 2 nights.
Posted by
196 posts
My trip has not started yet, but I am staying at the Villa Lara, which has been recommended to me by several people. There are a LOT of D-Day tour guides, you might just want to look at Tripadvisor reviews. I will be there shortly and booked my guide 6 months out, and had trouble finding someone free, but I am doing a private tour.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2449 posts
We stayed at Villa Aggarthi charming bed and breakfast only two blocks from the tapestry. Fantastic breakfast with eggs from her chickens in the back yard. Took taxi from train station. Tour wth HQCompany tours he picked us up at the Villa for a full day tour. Best thing we ever did. They do private and group tours. We were there for three days and two nights.
Posted by
3438 posts
Our two trips to Bayeux were in 2010 and 2019. In 2010, we stayed at the Churchill Hotel. It has changed hands since we stayed there, but the location is perfect - walking distance from the train station, and the pickup point for most small-group tours is literally in the backyard. https://www.hotel-churchill.fr/eng/
In 2019, we stayed at the Hotel d'Argouges - a bit more upscale and a slightly longer walk from the train station. Absolutely lovely place to stay. A Rick Steves tour group spent a couple of nights during our stay. http://www.hotel-dargouges.com/en/
A good tour company for Normandy tours is Overlord. https://www.overlordtour.com/
Bayeux is a fairly small town, and many restaurants are closed on Monday night. If you are spending a Monday night in Bayeux, pick a restaurant and ask your hotel to book you a table.
Posted by
913 posts
We just stayed in Bayeux, and the Villa Laura is right on the square where all of the DDay tours meet up; and it is also right in the middle of town. Location is key in Bayeux, as you want to be close or in the center of this wonderful town. We also took an Overlord Tour. There are many tour options, but one that may interest you is the Tour #2FS All Day Tour, which picks you up at the Bayeux train station, but requires a very early arrival into Bayeux. (I'd just let them know you have your luggage with you, to confirm there is room in the back of their shuttle; as other tours with guests coming straight from Paris are day trips into Bayeux. They also do private tours.
Someone on the forum just posted regarding a private tour that Chris Emery from Visitdday.com was their guide, and were pleased.
Frank II mentioned Hotel Rhein Mathilde. They have a popular outdoor dining area, that doesn't take/require reservations, so if you find yourself without a restaurant plan and can't get in somewhere, this was a nice back up for eating. And Hotel Rhein Mathilde is right near Villa Laura; in the city center.
Posted by
Freedonia
16269 posts
I can recommend the Hotel Rhein Mathilde and Overlord Tours.
The Hotel is centrally located and next to where the tours pick up.
My Overlord D-Day tour was one of the best one day tours I've ever taken.
Posted by
496 posts
What Frank said! Wonderful inn and tour!
Posted by
California, U.S.A.
34 posts
We stayed at the Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux two years ago and had a wonderful experience. Some of our favorite memories in Normandy are connected to our stay there. The owners, the people working there, the "house dog, Gloria" , the incredible breakfast buffet each morning, the wine and snacks in the patio in the afternoon, close to the Tapestry and Cathedral ..... The grounds are truly picturesque. We took a great D-Day beaches tour through Viator and the driver picked us up at the hotel.
Posted by
3438 posts
If the Germans had won, the hotel might be "Rhein Mathilde", but it is Reine Mathilde
Posted by
496 posts
Ooops…what Frank meant.