My 77-year-old husband and I want to see Normandy before a Viking cruise. This has been a bucket-list item for us for many years. In looking at most day trips from Paris, there is not enough time allowed for more than a cursory stop. I saw a 2-day option elsewhere but the second day did not include more time at the WWII-related stops. After a long flight from Los Angeles, I'm not sure we can navigate a train with our luggage in tow and check into a hotel in the area. I'm looking for ideas from those who have made this trip. Renting a car is not an option for us anymore. We would hire a private guide if the price was not out of reach and if we had a recommendation. Thank you!
Our trip is in May of 2023.
Posted by
Paris
7301 posts
I fully understand not being willing to make the trip by train to Bayeux after the long flight from the west coast.
Perhaps you could just spend a night at a hotel near Saint-Lazare station in Paris, from where you take a train to Bayeux the next day?
Regarding guides (really needed IMO), no firsthand experience from me, but I am sure others will offer recommendations.
Posted by
Chicago
8552 posts
I am your age and feeling it and I would still go to Bayeux by train rather than waste that first day. Work hard on reducing your luggage. Think about how to do a mix and match wardrobe -- no one is going to care about your clothes and there are lots of options to look put together without lots of changes.
Get a cab to St. Lazare and take the train to Bayeux and get a cab to your hotel. Yeah a bit of a stretch on miserable jet lag day but as good a way as any to spend your time.
Get an early dinner and crash and be ready for a guided tour of the beaches the next day -- or even wait a day and do it the following day.
The train trip is going to be the same the next day and that day waiting for your room to be ready (usually late afternoon) is not going to be pleasant. Nap on the train and arrive in Bayeux about the time your room will be ready for you.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2545 posts
The journey from landing at CDG to Bayeux could be up to 6 hours, once you consider collecting your bags, taking a taxi or train into Paris, taking the train from Paris to Bayeux, then taxi to the hotel. I would not want to do this immediately after a flight fromLAX. I’d much rather add an extra day, take the taxi from. CDG to a hotel in Paris, decompress a bit, then take the train to Bayeux the following day. Enjoy lively Bayeux that afternoon. The NEXT day, take a guided tour.
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
You can easily find dozens of recommendations here, just put "Normandy guides" into the search box at the top of this page. My own recommendation is Allan Bryson, and you can find him and people's reviews of him by Googling "Allan Bryson Normandy". I see one listing says they took many tours and he was the best. I can definitely see why they'd say that--he was excellent! He would drive you in his mini-van, generally starting in Bayeux. He is worth every penny.
Posted by
8 posts
Reine Mathilde hotel in Bayeux. Bayeux Shuttle for your tour. Best . Just did last month.
Posted by
Seattle
138 posts
It's expensive, but if you can afford it, you could hire a private car to pick you up at CDG and drop you off at your hotel in Bayeux. Rick recommends Paris Webservices for private car service in the Paris region, but there are many others you can contact. You might also ask your hotelier in Bayeux to recommend a local car service that does CDG pickups.