Family of four will be in the Normandy area for 3 days. We arrive from Nantes and leave out of Ouistreham for a ferry. Will do D-Day beaches - early July. What are recommendations for lodging? We are thinking: Bayeux is more quaint but more expensive; Caen bigger city but less expensive and still easy to get to beaches; rental car drop in Caen prior to Ferry in Ouistreham, or rental car drop in Ouistreham?... Which city to lodge/base out of? We prefer three night sin one spot but would consider 2 in one and last night in Oiustreham if that city is not great for lodging and Normandy exploration... Thank you!
Meggan
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Having done both Caen and Bayeux I much prefer Bayeux as as destination for lodging. The town is highly likeable and walkable. There is a small Hertz car rental facility in Bayeux where we rented and dropped our car. We drove to Caen to the Memorial Center, but we did our D-Day beach touring from Bayeux.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
Caen is a city and so offers more choices, including car rentals and restaurants. The Peace Memorial museum, which draws good notices, operates tours to the beaches as well. Caen has medieval and 20th Century history of its own. Early trains will get you to Bayeux if you want a tour from there, or to see the tapestry. Cab is not outrageous too.
Posted by
New Bern, NC, USA
16 posts
Stayed several days in Bayeux at the Churchill in 2010. Good location and very helpful staff. We were there when there were unannounced railroad strikes which really messed-up our planned day in Caen. Staff went WAY beyond the norm to assist us.
Excellent restaurants in Bayeux.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
We've stayed in Bayeux 6+ times and love it, did not like Caen. I would choose a wonderful, charming, friendly town (Bayeux) over a not-charming city (Caen). But that's just me. We've always stayed at Hotel d'Argouges in Bayeux. Not expensive and absolutely wonderful. Like a manor house with beautiful gardens, large rooms, large bathrooms, good beds, very clean, great breakfast included in price, free parking, center of town, and the most wonderful owner (Mme Ropartz) and staff I've ever experienced anywhere. We did not enjoy the Caen museum at all. Very expensive, crowded, and badly organized. We like the WWII museum in Bayeux very much, best of all the museums imo (there are many). The one at the American Cemetery is also good. Many excellent companies provide tours of the DDay sites, you are not limited to what the Caen museum offers. Put "DDay Tours" in the search box on this website for recommendations.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Meggan, If you're planning to take any of the excellent D-Day tours, many of them depart from Bayeux, usually arount 08:00 sharp! It may be a bit of an issue to connect with them if staying in Caen or Ouistreham. As previously mentioned, Bayeux is a beautiful and very walkable city, and has some great restaurants. There's also an excellent D-Day Museum there and of course the famous Tapestry which is definitely worth a visit (IMO). Happy travels!
Posted by
Kingsburg, California, USA
137 posts
B&Bs in Bayeux are not that expensive and include a great french breakfast. Try through Booking.com.