Hi. My boyfriend and I and another couple are visiting London then taking the train to Paris and wanted to make a day trip to Normandy. Should we take the train to Caen, rent a car or a tour guided bus? If we take the train, how easy is it to get to Omaha beach, etc? Thank you.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Sarah, Taking a "day trip" to Normandy from Paris is not the best idea, due to the travel times involved. While you could certainly travel by train to Caen or Bayeux and rent a car, there wouldn't be adequate time to really see much. You would definitely need a rental car to reach Omaha Beach, unless you took a local tour. Omaha Beach is rather "unspectacular" to look at, so taking a tour is much better to get a sense of the history. It would be better if you could stay for at least one night in Bauyeux and take one of the excellent day tours. There's also a great WW-II Museum in Bayeux and of course the famous Tapestry. If you need information on some of the tours in that area, post another note. Happy travels!
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
If you only have one day, I would highly recommend getting a guided tour. (Better yet - splurge for a private tour) There are many tours/tour guides that can meet you at the train station in Bayeux and drop you of there. It will be a loooon day and less than ideal than staying inthe area, but I think better than not visiting it at all.
Posted by
OP
New Orleans
2 posts
Would it be cheaper to just rent a car and drive out there and stay somewhere for the night and drive back the next day? We already booked our stay in Paris but just considering options...
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Sarah - you'll have to do the math for your specific period of time and based on what hotel you would choose to stay at.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
It's probably more expensive to spend the night, but I think the experience would be qualitatively better. Two other options to consider: Ferry Portsmouth to Caen, where you can rent a car. It's a 5+ hour crossing but you don't have to go in to Paris and back out again. After Normandy (spend the night or even 2) drive or take the train to Paris.
Posted by
Richmond, VA, USA
15 posts
Hi Sarah! My Mom, sister and 16yo daughter are doing a day trip from Paris to Normandy early April. We are intentionally choosing a short trip due to short attention span of teenager. We will take the train from Paris to Caen, then catch a minibus tour that includes the Memorial Museum, the American Cemetary and a couple of landing beaches. High level is great for us. Our big ask - an English-speaking guide. We have booked the tour through Linkparis.com.
Best wishes with your choices...it can be so individual.
Posted by
tampa, fl, usa
13 posts
We took the D-Day tour through Link Paris last year and it was great. Lisa was our guide and was very informative. I would recommend highly it.
Posted by
Northridge, CA, USA
124 posts
You can take the train from Paris and arrive in either Bayeaux or Caen. Have a private tour operator (Normandy Siteseeing tours) pick you up at the station, drive you to the beaches, have lunch and have then take you back to the station. Better yet, spend the night in Bayeaux and the next day see Mont St. Michel. This does cost more but you really feel like you have experienced Normandy.