Hello, I am doing a RS Best of England in April and want to also see beaches of Normandy and Mont Saint Michel before my tour begins. I am a solo senior traveler and do not want to rent a car. From reading the forums, rather than flying into London as planned for my tour, i would be best to fly into Paris and then take a train out to Bayeux? Since I won't have a car, I assume best bet will be to find a tour from Bayeux. I anticipate seeing a couple beaches and the tapestry information center. Because I also want to to see Mont St-Michel and go up to Monet Gardens I am seeking guidance on how best to do all. I had hoped two days would be enough but can add a third if needed. I am also planning to spend a few days in Southern England, Jurassic Coast etc before me tour and will post those under the England forum, but if anyone has recommendations for that area too that would be appreciated. Main interest for me is being out and walking in small villages rather than big cities, museums or art galleries as I have covered those in previous RS travels. Thank you very much. .
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Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7321 posts
General information:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/london-to-bayeux-and-back-again-by-rail
Do you want a "famous" D-Day beach tour specialist, with his car, for a solo client? You have, it sounds like, read about these on this newsboard. So you know they sell out in advance. This board does not have a lot of posters who would hire a multi-day guide to also do the Tapestry and Monet's Garden, so you may not find that here. Many people visit that garden as a separate daytrip from Paris, by train or bus. It makes "sense" to do it returning from Bayeux, but you're talking about a private car and driver and or guide, for 10 hours. $$$, I think.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
661 posts
sandyarnp,
With Mont St Michel in the mix, two days won't be enough. Don't underestimate the distance between Bayeux and the Mont. They are not adjacent. Giverny is close to Paris and makes a good day trip from there, and also from Rouen. We always have a car, but someone here on the forum can perhaps give you advice on moving from Paris to Giverny for a morning visit there, then an afternoon transit to Bayeux via bus or train. You definitely want three nights (two days) in Bayeux if you include the Mont. You can do a half-day DDay tour from Bayeux, leaving you a half day in town to see the tapestry, cathedral, etc. Another full day will be necessary to see Mont St. Michel, whether you sleep there that night or return to Bayeux. Be sure and count nights, as opposed to days, because of transit time between places.
Bonne chance!
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2367 posts
We stayed at Villa Aggarthia fantastic B&B in Bayeau just a block or two from.the tapestry and some.great restaurants. We had taken the train from.Paris which I think takes two hours and there were taxis at the train station. The Villa was superb. We took a private tour with HQCompany tours which is run by four guides who had worked for a.major tour company there and if was one of the best things we ever did. Pick up and dropped off at our B and B. Yannick was our guide and it was fantastic. Good luck and enjoy.
Posted by
Lake District, England
5821 posts
Giverny then Bayeux is easy. except what you do with your luggage at Giverny. A NOMAD train to Giverny then the shuttle station to gardens; afterwards back on NOMAD to Rouen. Switch trains there for a TER to Caen, switch trains there for Bayeux.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10201 posts
Another hurdle to figure out is crossing the channel in April. You can't count on a ferry due to weather cancelations, rain, wind, choppy seas. You need to investigate flights from Normandy or double back to Paris for the Eurostar train. You'll need a full day just for your transit to England.
Posted by
Midwest
468 posts
We stayed at a lovey Château in Normandy that included a fabulous tour of the D day beaches one day and the other a tour of Mont St Michel. We took a train from Paris & they picked us up at the station. It was the highlight of our trip before our 14 day BOE tour. Let me know if you want the details. Wish we had three days there to see the tapestries