Benelux and Normandy D-Day 3 week trip

We came from Bruges through Lille (instead of going through Brussels) to Paris (stayed a few days) and then took the train from Paris out to Bayeux (with a quick change in Caen). It's about 2-2.5 hours to Bayeux on the TGV. There may be a different way without going through Paris coming from Brussels, but I'd guess the quickest would be Brussels to Paris on the Thalys and then TGV to Caen and short rail ride to your final Normandy destination. Others may be able to suggest alternate routes.

Bayeux was nice and centrally located and many of the tours depart from there, so it makes a good home base. If you could fly open jaw home from Paris that would be good instead of backtracking to
Amsterdam or Brussels. Have a good trip!

Go open jaw and fly into Amsterdam and out of Paris (or vice-versa). Sometimes flying in reverse order is cheaper. I don't think you'll find any other way by rail from Brussels to the D-day area that doesn't go through Paris. You'll also have to get from Gare de Nord station to St. Lazare. Since you'll be in Paris, might as well stay a couple days. With a 3 week trip I'd suggest spending more time in France; if you haven't seen the Loire Valley chateaux country, it's well worth a visit.

If you have 3 weeks, try to make time for more than 2 days in Normandy. We spent 4 nights and would have LOVED several more in this special region. The D-Day sites are spread far and wide and take time to see and appreciate fully.

Thanks for the first 3 feedback postings. Sharon, we can spend more than 2 days in the Bayeux area. When you were traveling in the area, did you do a self-guided tour or did you take one of the BattleBus tours? Dorsey

Just to chime in on Battlebus. We did their one day American Highlights tour this summer and loved it! The depth and background that goes into the tours is incredible, and well worth the money. I'm not one to jump at spending over $100 p/p on something (besides a Cirque de Solei show in Vegas, don't think I ever have, but that's a different subject!), but I would spend that again in a heartbeat for a Battlebus tour. You can go to all the sights they see (or any other tour company), but having someone who has spent decades studying the battle and infusing the visit with personal stories sure makes it much more powerful and worth it. My wife has never been a big history fan, but did enjoy Band of Brothers and to this day still says the Battlebus tour was one of her highlights of our month in Europe.

I also concur about staying more than a couple nights. We only stayed 2 nights and wish we had stayed more. Next trip though!

Dorsey, I highly recommend Battlebus Tours. We spent 3 days touring with them...remarkable and so very memorable...you will see and do far more than if you try to see it all on your own, but more importantly, the stories you will hear will be unforgettable. We took the two day American Experience tour with Paul and the Band of Brothers tour with Allan, super guides, but I can say that from reading this site and others, ALL their guides are great...We would love to go back and also take the British and Canadian tours just to see and hear all those stories, too. We stayed in Bayeux at the Hotel Churchill and loved the experience. Bayeux is a special place in itself. You should see the tapestry and the lovely church while there. Contact Battlebus as soon as you know the dates of your stay...they will need to know that you are staying in Bayeux to reserve your spots on their tours. I made reservations with them about 7 months in advance. We would also make a place in our itinerary to visit Mont St. Michel while in Normandy if we could do it again...but hey, maybe we will do it again...if this economy will straighten itself out a bit.