Do I need to rent a car in Bayeux?

There's at least a train an hour from Caen to Bayeux. Car rental places are at the Caen station, in Bayeux I can only picture one and it's a bit remote. It's a mile from the Caen Station to the museum. The Bayeux museum is generally thought to be far better than the one at Caen. A car will cost you fifty to seventy-five bucks for just a day. Why drive from Paris if you have no other use for the car - -if, indeed, that was part of the question?

The car rental place I used in Bayeux was very near where I stayed(Hotel Mogador). The owner of the hotel was very helpful in locating it. We walked from the train station, to the hotel and the car rental agency. But it does seem you really don't need a car from what you have on your schedule. We rented so we could drive to Mont St. Michel.

It doesn't sound like you will need a car. You could take a train from Paris directly to Bayeux. I agree with Ed that the museum in Bayeux is far better than the one in Caen, and less expensive. We always rent a car either in Caen or Bayeux (been to Normandy many times - love it) because we like to drive around the country roads to explore and to visit DDay sites - but doesn't sound like that's in your plans so no need to rent one.

Thanks very much! I also appreciate the advice on the museum! I am taking my mom on this trip as she has always wanted to see Normandy because her father fought there. We don't have a ton of time so I figure the tour and museum will suffice for now. I'm sure we will be back!

Laura, Based on what you'll be doing, having a car would be an unnecessary expense. You can easily take the train directly to Bayeux and then take a Taxi to your Hotel. Which Hotel are you staying in? Note that your departure in Paris will be from Gare St. Lazare. Regarding which Museum to see, both the Museum in Caen and the one in Bayeux are worth seeing. If you decide to visit the Museum in Caen, you can easily take the train. If you decide to visit the Museum in Bayeux, you may want to take a Taxi, depending on your walking ability. As I recall, it is possible to walk, but is a bit outside the centre of town. One tip though. If you're planning to leave Bayeux early to return to Paris, you might ask your Hotel to pre-arrange a Taxi to the station. I did that on my last trip and it worked well. Happy travels!

Thanks Ken! That is very helpful. Do you remember if the museum in Caen is walking distance or if are you able to take a taxi? I was speaking with my mom last night and she said she would like to visit Caen because my grandfather's name is on something there. One of her colleagues was there and looked for it a couple of years ago. I think it would be worth a trip to see that!

Laura, I have seen both museums, Caen and Bayeux. The Bayeux one can be reached on foot from the train station; for the Caen one you'll need to go by bus or taxi/car. It's way too far. I took the bus from the train station and it gets you close enough to the museum. If you want to see more D-Day sites beyond Bayeux, then I would suggest renting a car in Caen

Thanks Ed! Much appreciated...

Thanks Fred!

It's a one-mile hump along a rather blah street from the station to the museum. Fairly easy in ten or fifteen minutes, but maybe not for mom.